NBA Issues Statement on Mavericks Not Participating in National Anthem

On Monday, news broke that the Dallas Mavericks franchise had not been observing the national anthem throughout the season and did not plan to for the rest of the 2021 season at home games while fans were not present.

Cuban stated that the decision was not in protest of the national anthem.

“We didn’t cancel the national anthem,” Cuban said on ESPN before tip-off of tonight’s game. “We still had our flag flying proud up on the wall at the American Airlines Center and everybody had the opportunity to address it and pray to it or salute to it or whatever their feelings are.”

Cuban also said that “in listening to the community, there were quite a few people who voiced their concerns, really their fears that the national anthem did not fully represent them, that their voices were not being heard.”

However, the NBA issued a statement to the Mavericks that all teams are required to play the national anthem before all contests.

As of tonight, the Mavericks have resumed playing the national anthem as fans return to spectate.