Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has lately chosen to discontinue playing the national anthem before home games in a daring action that has generated both praise and debate. This surprising news has brought back the discussion on the part patriotism plays in sports and the entitlement of sportsmen to oppose societal wrongs nonviolently.
Quietly before the start of the season, the national anthem was removed from pre-game rituals. The story started to spread like wildfire, however, until Cuban verified the move in a statement to The Athletic. Cuban said the action was taken after a discussion with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and was meant to foster a more open and inviting atmosphere for supporters of all origins.
Responses to Cuban’s choice have varied; some laud his dedication to social justice, while others condemn the action as insulting to the flag and the nation it symbolizes. One Dallas fan, who wanted to be unnamed, said he supported Cuban’s choice, “I’ve got to support my player.” It’s almost a quiet protest.
A growing sports industry pattern shows club owners, together with their players, taking stands against racial injustice and police brutality through their official channels. Athletes opt to kneel or perform fist raises during the national anthem because these issues are essential to their protest demonstrations.
Not everyone, however, agrees with Cuban’s choice. Some fans have gone to social media to voice their anger; one Twitter user said, “Disgusting. An emblem of our nation, the national anthem should be honored. Some have urged Mavericks games to be boycotted until the anthem is back in effect.
Cuban has remained resolute despite the criticism, saying he thinks his players have the right to express themselves and would keep supporting them in their attempts to effect good change. Multiple members of the sports world commend Cuban’s stance as they recognize him as an innovator through his adamant stance against polar topics.
Sports spectators first became aware of the national anthem dispute in 2016 because then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick initiated kneeling protests during the anthem to challenge racial inequality. The protest has now expanded to other sports and become a lightning point for debate.
The conflict between sports and politics is obviously as hot as ever as the discussion continues. Cuban’s choice to exclude the national anthem from Mavericks games has only served to stoke controversy as both fans and critics have expressed their views on social media and in the media.
Whether Cuba’s choice will affect the sports world permanently is still unknown, but one thing is clear: the debate on patriotism and dissent in sports is far from over. One thing is certain as fans and players struggle with these challenging topics: the national anthem will remain a cause of contention in the sports sector.