Full Breakdown
Sophie Cunningham’s View on the WNBA National Anthem Walkouts
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event: Anthem Walkouts During the 2026 WNBA Finals
During the 2026 WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries, both teams left the court before “The Star-Spangled Banner” and returned after it concluded. The practice was repeated in each game, prompting a national discussion. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham was asked about the controversy on Theo Von’s *This Past Weekend* podcast. She emphasized personal gratitude for the military, noted her family’s service background, and said she would continue to stand for the anthem rather than join the walkouts.
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Background & Context
Walkouts during the national anthem have appeared in professional basketball since the 2020 NBA protests. The WNBA’s rulebook once outlined anthem protocols, but league officials have said those protocols were suspended years ago, leaving teams free to determine their own pre-game routine. In 2026 the Dream and Valkyries adopted the practice as part of their regular preparation, drawing criticism from conservative commentators and political figures.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
03
Data & Statistics
- Average WNBA player salary: $518,000 per year (The Celebwire).
- Cunningham’s career: 8 seasons, including a 2021 Finals appearance with the Phoenix Mercury.
- Age and status: 30-year-old and a pending free agent as of the 2026 Finals.
04
Official Statements & Responses
- President Donald Trump questioned the walkouts, asking “What’s that all about?” and encouraged a boycott of the league.
- Vice President J.D. Vance argued that criticism of public policy should not be expressed by “disrespecting the country writ large.”
- Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase said the pre-game absence from the court is a routine the team has used since its inception.
- Associated Press analyst Doug Feinberg noted that the league’s anthem protocols were suspended, meaning the teams are not violating any rule.
05
Criticism & Opposition
Conservative voices have framed the walkouts as unpatriotic. President Trump’s call for a boycott and Vice President Vance’s remarks position the gesture as disrespect to the nation and to service members. Their statements contrast with Cunningham’s personal expression of pride and support for veterans.
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Verbatim Quotes
- “Personally, I’m grateful, and I support the people who serve,” — Sophie Cunningham
- “I think that you should not express some criticism of a public policy of a given politician by disrespecting the country writ large,” — D. Vance, vice president
- “They leave the court when the national anthems play. What’s that all about?” — Donald Trump
07
What’s Next
The finals series will conclude with a final game later in October 2026. No team has indicated a change in pre-game routine, and Cunningham has reiterated that she does not plan to join future walkouts. The league has not announced any policy revisions regarding anthem protocols.