NBA Overrules: All Teams Must Play National Anthem

NPR reports:

The NBA says every team – including the Dallas Mavericks – must play the national anthem in their arenas, after news emerged that team owner Mark Cuban had ordered the Mavericks to discontinue the long-held practice.

“With NBA teams now in the process of welcoming fans back into their arenas, all teams will play the national anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy,” said NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass in a statement on Wednesday.

After the NBA issued its stance, a Mavericks representative told NPR, “The anthem will play before tonight’s game.” The NBA’s position is an apparent reversal of what a spokesperson initially told media outlets after news spread of Cuban’s decision to omit the anthem.

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NBA says teams will play national anthem before games ‘in keeping with longstanding league policy’ as fans begin to return

Dallas had previously chosen not to play the anthem before games this season pic.twitter.com/SzkwEsZhgV

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 10, 2021