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The NBA is demanding that all teams play the national anthem before games “in accordance with long-standing league policy,” just a day after Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told The Athletic that the team had decided not to play at home.
NBA communications director Mike Bass released a statement Wednesday, just a day after Cuban said he had no plans to play the national anthem in future home games.
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“With the NBA teams now in the process of welcoming fans back to their arenas, all teams will play the national anthem in accordance with long-standing league policy,” Bass said.
Cuban said The New York Times: “We’re good with this.”
The Mavericks haven’t played the national anthem in a home game at the American Airlines Center this season, a decision made by Cuban in November.
Sources close to Cuba said Athletic earlier Wednesday that the decision was not “because they don’t like the United States, but because many believe the anthem does not represent them, and they want to continue discussing how to represent the United States. people from all communities when they honor the United States at 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, the teams are authorized to carry out their pre-match operations as they see fit. “
Cuban issued another statement Wednesday saying the team will play the anthem later that night in their home game against the Atlanta Hawks.
“We respect and have always respected the passion of the people for the anthem and our country,” the statement began. “I have always defended the anthem with my hand over my heart – no matter where I hear it.”
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He continued, “But we also hear the voices of those who don’t think the anthem represents them. We believe that they too should be respected and heard, because they were not heard. The hope is that those who feel passionate about the anthem being played will be equally passionate about listening to those who don’t think it represents them. “
The Mavs also released a team statement on the matter.
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What prompted the league’s overthrow was not immediately clear.
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