“We also loudly hear the voices of those who feel that the anthem does not represent them.” —Mark Cuban
By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
I never noticed it.
The Dallas Mavericks have not played the National Anthem before its home games since the season started.
Their first game was Dec. 30th. The National Anthem never played.
Before 11 home games at American Airlines Center—including two preseason games—and spanning almost two months, the anthem went unplayed, and more importantly, its absence went unnoticed.
Until February 10th.
A story that first appeared in The Athletic alerted everyone—including the NBA—that the Mavericks had not only ceased playing the national anthem before its home games and did not publicly promote or publicize it, but also had no plans to play it moving forward.
The decision, made by Mavs owner Mark Cuban, was reversed hours after the story appeared and the league got wind of it.
NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass issued the following statement 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.”
For Cuban, not playing the anthem was about listening to and respecting ALL voices, including those who don’t feel the anthem represents them. He said in a statement released earlier today:
“We respect and always have respected the passion people have for the anthem and our country. 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.”
Shortly afterward, the Mavs confirmed they will play the anthem at all home games moving forward, starting Wednesday night.
During his regularly scheduled media zoom session, Mavs Head Coach Rick Carlisle was asked about the franchise deciding not to play the anthem and the controversy that has ensued.
“This was Mark’s decision. He was steadfast about it. He had his reasons. I know he released a statement today explaining those reasons. I also know that moving forward we will be playing the anthem at all home games along with every other team in the league. It’s been quite a day.”
Carlisle also noted that the discussions, comments and debate today surrounding the national anthem is good discourse and “a logical progression. Anytime you have a result from something like this, you gotta embrace it.
“This is an opportunity for people to look at things a different way. Whether you agree or disagree, we must all agree that as Americans we support the right to choose how we express ourselves,” he said. “And that’s another fundamental thing that’s very important with this.”
Mavs CEO Cynt Marshall could not be reached for comment.
The Mavs became the latest NBA team to allow fans when they let in approximately 1,500 vaccinated frontline workers to its home game Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Fans will be allowed at Wednesday night’s game as well as Friday, Feb. 12th and Sunday, Feb. 14th.
