The Stir Around Atlanta Dream Players and the National Anthem
The WNBA Finals are usually defined by clutch shots and championship glory, but recently, the spotlight shifted from the scoreboard to a heated political debate. The Atlanta Dream players and the Golden State Valkyries found themselves at the center of a social media firestorm after their actions during the national anthem sparked widespread criticism from conservative circles.
The controversy erupted after both teams left the court just before the national anthem began during the first two games of the Finals. While some saw this as a calculated political statement, the reality of the situation is far more nuanced than the headlines suggest.
Riley Gaines and the Call for Olympic Bans
One of the most vocal critics to weigh in was Riley Gaines, a former Kentucky swimmer and prominent anti-trans activist. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Gaines argued that any athlete who kneels during the anthem should be stripped of their opportunity to represent the United States at the Olympics.
Gaines’ post quickly went viral, garnering thousands of likes and fueling a narrative that the athletes were actively protesting the flag. However, there is a significant flaw in this argument: none of the players actually knelt.
Fact-Checking the Narrative: What Actually Happened?
To understand the timeline, we have to look at the actual events at the Chase Center. According to reports from Fox News, the following occurred during Game 1 and Game 2:
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- Pre-Anthem: Both teams were conducting their standard warm-up routines.
- The Exit: Players left the court shortly before the anthem started—a common practice in professional basketball to allow for final preparations.
- The Return: The teams jogged back onto the floor mere seconds after the anthem concluded.
While the WNBA rulebook suggests that players, coaches, and trainers should stand in a line during the anthem, this typically applies to those already present on the court. There is no explicit requirement that forces players to be on the floor the moment the music starts if they are in the middle of a transition.
A Pattern of Misunderstanding
This isn’t the first time this specific timing has been misinterpreted. In 2024, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey faced similar criticism when her team—which included current Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese—was off the court during the anthem before an Elite Eight game against Iowa. In both instances, the absence was a matter of basketball logistics, not a political demonstration.
The Broader Context of the Criticism
Riley Gaines has evolved into one of the WNBA’s most persistent critics. While her primary focus has been the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports, her recent commentary shows a broadening of her political scope through The Riley Gaines Show on OutKick. This clash highlights the increasing tension between professional sports and political identity in the US.
Ultimately, while the imagery of an empty court can be interpreted in many ways, the evidence suggests that the Atlanta Dream players were simply following a routine, rather than staging a protest. In the high-stakes environment of the WNBA Finals, it seems the drama off the court was just as intense as the competition on it.
