The NBA has mandated every single team within the competition to play the United States national anthem before every game after Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, announced that the team won’t be playing the anthem from now on.
This decision didn’t sit well with a lot of people around the country and some of them had some strong reactions to the billionaire’s decision to not play anything before the start of the games this season.
After all the disagreements and concerns from fans, the league made it clear that every team in the association must play the national anthem before every match, changing Cuban’s plans for this campaign. Of course, fans reacted to this on social media and Cuban himself.
NBA fans react to NBA saying every team must play the national anthem before every game
NBA Chief Communications Officer Mike Bass announced the news, explaining that now that the teams will start receiving fans in the arenas, playing the national anthem will be mandatory for them.
“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,” Bass said in a statement, via Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated.
The Mavericks will comply with the policy and play the national anthem tonight before playing host to Atlanta at American Airlines Center, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 10, 2021
Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks will resume playing the Anthem tonight vs. Atlanta. Statement from Cuban, in part: “The hope is that those who feel passionate about the anthem being played will be just as passionate in listening to those who do not feel it represents them.” pic.twitter.com/XnXpd8ThlW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 10, 2021
Cuban reacted to it, saying he was fine with the decision. Moreover, the Mavs are expected to play the anthem before their game against the Atlanta Hawks tonight. NBA fans had something to say about it and some agreed with Cuban while others attacked him for his actions.
“We won today, just like the last election” pic.twitter.com/2AnEOkb894
— Knasty3890 (@knasty3890) February 10, 2021
“iM DoNE wITh thE NbA CoUNt mE OuT” pic.twitter.com/u6eJHEp2d0
— Karlo B. (@KMAC_LA) February 10, 2021
L from the NBA
Carry on….
— Kendrick’s Burner (@KendrickPBurner) February 10, 2021
Cuban rn writing that pic.twitter.com/k1TW4tJkcK
— Alex���� (@SlayBater3) February 10, 2021
They should play Gods Plan instead, much better song imo
— ₩ū° (@whyyn0TT) February 10, 2021
FIGHT BACK MARK DONT LET THEM DO THIS TO YOU
— Terry GOATLaurin (@TerrysGOAT) February 10, 2021
Teams should play Lonzo Ball – ZO2 every time before the games
— DANIEL JONES SZN (@Jake_0223) February 10, 2021
What Mark Cuban really wanted to say: pic.twitter.com/HhjqD697Hg
— Kevin Thang (@Skip2MyJays) February 10, 2021
Folded with the quickness pic.twitter.com/trJJwpYjAh
— Striking McLightningRod (@Chill_Interlude) February 10, 2021
ah come on mark pic.twitter.com/8dqaxgtxYY
— isaac (@isaacappelt) February 10, 2021
“This sounds about white…White?”
-White sir
“White..” pic.twitter.com/mIHX0FuOPt— sportsMEMEbers (@MEMEmoriesLast) February 10, 2021
I agree
— Tim Chargeaway Jr. Burner (@HardjrT) February 10, 2021
Cue the geniuses who are more upset at Cuban and the anthem than people dying at the Capitol.
— Elite (@AthletesAsian) February 10, 2021
Do the Tampa raptors have to play the American one, or just the Canadian? Or do they even play the Canadian?
— Ro.20 (@Ro_Detroit20) February 10, 2021
For the record, they could comply by playing it at super low volume or really sped up
— Bam for MVP (@kellyoburner) February 10, 2021
Should play the Radiohead one
— Xavier (@RoninRunnerX) February 10, 2021
Watch he play that shit in reverse just to piss off the NBA
— Greg Solomon (@80smade_gsohood) February 10, 2021
— NBAStatGuy (@NBAStatGuy_) February 10, 2021
Tbh idk why this is a big deal
— wiscosports (@wiscosportfan2) February 10, 2021
Woah
— ❌ Fraudison James ❌ (@frauddulent) February 10, 2021
In the times we’re living, making these decisions can be problematic for anybody, regardless of who you are or how much money you have. Cuban earned a lot of bad comments and hate for this situation but he doesn’t seem to be bothered by that.
