Sport2 min(s) read
Published 17:29 10 Feb 2021 GMT
The Dallas Mavericks have announced that they will no longer play the US national anthem again before games.
According to The Athletic, the decision for the NBA team to cease playing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' prior to their matches came at the behest of manager Mark Cuban, who confirmed the news to the publication on the evening of Monday, February 8.
The Athletic reports that the move has not been publicized and that no official statement had been released on the issue.
However, the Mavericks haven't played the national anthem of the United States of America in any of their 13 preseason or regular season fixtures, including Monday's match against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Per The Athletic, this decision marks the first instance of a professional basketball team getting rid of the U.S. national anthem from their pre-game.
An NBA spokesperson told the publication on Tuesday, February 9, that, although an unconventional choice, the decision to forgo the anthem is permissible, stating: "Under the unique circumstances of this season, teams are permitted to run their pregame operations as they see fit."
Following the example set by American football player Colin Kaepernick, a number of players and teams have made the decision to take a knee during the playing of the national anthem at sports events.
The symbolic gesture is intended as a form of protest against racial and social injustice and in support of the Black Lives Matter movement which stands against institutional brutality and racial profiling.
Previously, in a statement made to ESPN in July of 2020, Cuban appeared to endorse his players making this political statement, stating himself:
"Whether it's holding their arm up in the air, whether it's taking a knee, whatever it is, I don't think this is an issue of respect or disrespect to the flag or to the anthem or to our country.
"I think this is more a reflection of our players' commitment to this country and the fact that it's so important to them that they're willing to say what's in their heart and do what they think is right."
Per Forbes, two days after making this statement, Cuban tweeted to his 8.1 million followers: "The National Anthem Police in this country are out of control.
"If you want to complain, complain to your boss and ask why they don’t play the National Anthem every day before you start work."
