DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – The Dallas Mavericks confirmed on Wednesday that the team has not played the National Anthem before any home games this season. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, most games have been played without fans in the stands.
In recent years, some professional athletes have protested social injustice by kneeling during the anthem. The gesture stirred up controversy from some, who believe it is disrespectful.
“We respect and always have respected the passion people have for the anthem and our country,” said Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban. “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. Going forward, our hope is that people will take the same passion they have for this issue and apply the same amount of energy to listen to those who feel differently from them. Only then we can move forward and have courageous conversations that move this country forward and find what unites us.”
NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass issued the following statement on Wednesday concerning the league’s rule on playing the national anthem:
“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.”
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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