NBA Tells Mark Cuban’s Mavericks That They Must Start Playing The National Anthem

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was the subject of a lot of backlash when it was revealed that he had made the decision not to play the National Anthem at any of the team’s home games. The Mavs haven’t played the anthem for any of their regular or preseason games this year, but fans are just now beginning to notice.

Mark Cuban Decides That Dallas Mavericks Will No Longer Be Playing The National Anthem At Home Gameshttps://t.co/nWKOWP0613

— SideAction (@SideActionHQ) February 10, 2021

After Mark Cuban defended himself, the NBA has now cracked down. The league sent out a memo to all teams ordering them to play the “Star Spangled Banner” prior to all games.

“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,” NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass said in the letter.

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

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I think this is a rare L from Adam Silver and the NBA here. They’ve actually been pretty good about listening to players and teams when it comes to the fight for social justice and equality. This was an opportunity for the NBA to allow a team to handle a touchy situation in-house.

By getting involved the NBA is sending a clear message to its players and fans that their voice still reigns supreme. I don’t think it was the time or situation to send that message.

If Mark Cuban doesn’t want to play the anthem, just let him. It’s taken this long for anyone to even notice anyways.

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