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The WNBA Just Created a National Anthem Controversy It Didn’t Need

The 2026 WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries have sparked significant controversy after players from both competing teams departed the court before the national anthem. This behavior, which has been a practice since the WNBA suspended its anthem protocols in 2017, has drawn intense criticism and calls for boycotts.

Even President Donald Trump has weighed in, suggesting that fans should avoid watching the league to prevent potential damage to its recent growth. While Golden State guard Veronica Burton has clarified that the absence of the players was a routine pregame procedure rather than a political gesture, the optics of the presence of stars like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have turned the attention away from the ownings of the championship series.

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