After a fierce backlash on social media from NBA fans, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban confirmed Wednesday that the National Anthem will be played before future games at his home stadium in Dallas, Texas.
“The Dallas Mavericks will again play the national anthem before home games, a day after team owner Mark Cuban confirmed to The Washington Post that they had not played the anthem this season at his direction,” reports the Washington Post.
“With NBA teams now in process of welcoming fans back into their arenas, all teams will play the national anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy,” NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass said in the statement released Wednesday afternoon.
The Dallas Mavericks will resume playing the national anthem before games https://t.co/QoQhdcsDej
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 10, 2021
“We respect and always have respected the passion people have for the anthem and our country,” Cuban said. “I have always stood for the anthem with the hand over my heart – no matter where I hear it played. But we also hear the voices of those who do not feel the anthem represents them. We feel they also need to be respected and heard because they have not been heard.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
FANS REACT: Mark Cuban Under Fire for Decision to Ban US Anthem from Future Mavericks Games
Basketball fans around the country reacted Wednesday to businessman and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban’s decision to ban the Star-Spangled Banner from future NBA games at his home stadium in Dallas, Texas.
WTF is this @mcuban https://t.co/p98wgJqroc
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) February 10, 2021
Imagine thinking that playing a sport in an empty arena is more important than your allegiance to the country. https://t.co/wlSBDNXXPP
— Josh Holmes (@HolmesJosh) February 10, 2021
Personally I'm for it. We don't play the anthem before movies. https://t.co/3fVHurOQyv
— Shannon McCormick (@sadogre) February 10, 2021
Have covered sports all over the world. The US is an outlier when it comes to the pre-game national anthem. Would have more resonance as a rarity instead of being the rule. https://t.co/waCJalxwGG
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) February 10, 2021
Mark Cuban will never be President. 🇺🇸 https://t.co/Bwg6Ui1NF1
— Scott T. Parkinson (@ScottTParkinson) February 10, 2021
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban confirmed this week that his team will no long play the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ before games when some fans return to the stadiums during the NBA’s upcoming season.
“If they were taking a knee and they were being respectful, I’d be proud of them,” he said on the controversy. “Hopefully I’d join them.”
Dallas Mavericks won't play national anthem at home games, Mark Cuban says https://t.co/COd79WUpE0 pic.twitter.com/vgGua8eSlZ
— The Hill (@thehill) February 10, 2021
Mark Cuban has directed the Dallas Mavericks to stop playing the national anthem before games https://t.co/QGHXGAAynM
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 10, 2021
Mark Cuban reportedly decided before the start of the NBA season to no longer play the national anthem before Dallas Mavericks games.
So far, it hasn’t been played before the team’s 13 preseason and regular-season home games https://t.co/0eHej0U8sk
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 10, 2021
Read the full report here.
STAR SPANGLED BANNED: Mark Cuban Says Mavericks Won’t Play National Anthem Ahead of Games
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban confirmed this week that his team will no long play the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ before games when some fans return to the stadiums during the NBA’s upcoming season.
“If they were taking a knee and they were being respectful, I’d be proud of them,” he said on the controversy. “Hopefully I’d join them.”
Dallas Mavericks won't play national anthem at home games, Mark Cuban says https://t.co/COd79WUpE0 pic.twitter.com/vgGua8eSlZ
— The Hill (@thehill) February 10, 2021
Mark Cuban has directed the Dallas Mavericks to stop playing the national anthem before games https://t.co/QGHXGAAynM
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 10, 2021
Mark Cuban reportedly decided before the start of the NBA season to no longer play the national anthem before Dallas Mavericks games.
So far, it hasn’t been played before the team’s 13 preseason and regular-season home games https://t.co/0eHej0U8sk
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 10, 2021
Read the full report here.