Dallas Mavericks proprietor Mark Cuban mentioned Tuesday he determined earlier than this season started to not play the nationwide anthem earlier than the group’s dwelling video games.
The Mavericks performed their first 10 regular-season dwelling video games with out followers. The membership had followers for the primary time in Monday’s 127-122 win over Minnesota. Dallas is permitting 1,500 vaccinated important employees to attend video games without spending a dime.
Cuban did not elaborate on his resolution to not play the anthem, saying no person had observed. The Athletic first reported that Dallas had dropped the anthem.
NBA spokesman Tim Frank mentioned, “Below the distinctive circumstances of this season, groups are permitted to run their pregame operations as they see match.”
Cuban was outspoken towards critics of NBA gamers and coaches kneeling throughout “The Star-Spangled Banner” when the 2019-20 season resumed within the bubble in Florida final summer season.
The pregame nationwide anthem is a staple of American sports activities at each the skilled and collegiate stage, however is way much less commonplace at professional sporting occasions in different international locations.
