NBA Responds to Mavericks Decision to Not Play National Anthem for Home Games

By: Ben Doyka 2/12/21

Photo Courtesy: ESPN, 2021

Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, announced Tuesday that the Mavs will not be playing the National Anthem at any remaining home games this season. The Mavericks have not played the National Anthem before any of their 13 home games so far. This comes off the heels of Cuban’s support for player protests during the National Anthem in the NBA’s bubble-style playoff format last year.

When asked why he made this decision, Cuban responded, “We respect and always have respected the passion people have for the anthem and our country, but we also loudly hear the voices of those who feel that the anthem does not represent them. We feel that their voices need to be respected and heard, because they have not been.” The Mavs decided to play “God Bless America” instead of the National Anthem up until this point.

This public announcement drew the attention from the national media, which forced NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to release a statement. In a press conference, Silver said the NBA will mandate every team to play the National Anthem before every game for the remainder of the season. This decision, Silver says, follows the league’s policy on the playing of the National Anthem.

Cuban and the Mavs complied, playing the National Anthem before their home game on Wednesday.