The NBA is demanding that all teams play the national anthem before games “in accordance with the league’s longstanding policy”, just a day after Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told The Athletic that the team decided don’t play at home.
NBA Communications Director Mike Bass released a statement on Wednesday, just a day after Cuban said he had no plans to play the national anthem in any future home games.
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“With NBA teams now in the process of welcoming fans into their arenas, all teams will play the national anthem according to the league’s longstanding policy,” said Bass.
Cuban said The New York Times: “We are fine with that.”
The Mavericks did not play the national anthem in any home game at the American Airlines Center this season, a decision that Cuban made in November.
Sources close to the Cuban said The Athletic on Wednesday that the decision was not “because they don’t love the US, but because many feel that the anthem doesn’t represent them and they want to continue the discussion on how to represent people from all communities by honoring the US in the game”.
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The league’s announcement appears to be a reversal of its initial response on Tuesday, in which NBA spokesman Tim Frank told the Associated Press: “In the unique circumstances of this season, teams are allowed to conduct their operations before of the game as they wish. “
Cuban issued another statement Wednesday saying the team will play the anthem later that night, during the home game against the Atlanta Hawks.
“We respect and always respect the passion that people have for the anthem and for our country,” began the statement. “I have always defended the hymn with my hand over my heart – no matter where I hear it played.”
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He continued: “But we also hear the voices of those who do not feel that the hymn represents them. We feel that they also need to be respected and heard, because they have not been heard. The hope is that those who fall in love with the hymn being played will be just as passionate about listening to those who don’t feel it represents them. “
The Mavs also released a team statement on the matter.
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It was not clear what motivated the league reversal.