Mavs' Mark Cuban Comments on NBA's Decision to Have Anthem Played by All Teams

The NBA announced on Wednesday that all NBA teams must play the national anthem before games now that "teams are welcoming fans back into their arenas," citing the league's long-standing policy. 

That came in response to the Mavericks and governor Mark Cuban not playing the anthem at home games to start this season, including last night when fans were allowed at the American Airlines Center for the first time since the pandemic started.

On Wednesday, Cuban responded to the NBA's decision to mandate the song be played:

He also discussed the matter with Rachel Nichols on ESPN's The Jump:

A since-deleted tweet from Cuban in July 2020 seems to provide further insight into the Mavs' decision.

"The National Anthem Police in this country are out of control," he wrote. "If you want to complain, complain to your boss and ask why they don't play the National Anthem every day before you start work."

Cuban also said in June that he would support any players who chose to kneel during the anthem. 

"If they were taking a knee and they were being respectful, I'd be proud of them," he told ESPN's Jeremy Schaap on Outside the Lines. "Hopefully I'd join them."

He continued:

"Whether it's holding their arm up in the air, whether it's taking a knee, whatever it is, I don't think this is an issue of respect or disrespect to the flag or to the anthem or to our country. I think this is more a reflection of our players' commitment to this country and the fact that it's so important to them that they're willing to say what's in their heart and do what they think is right."

Playing the national anthem before U.S. sporting events remains a divisive topic:

The NBA has made its stance clear on the subject, at least for now. It's unlikely the conversation is going away anytime soon, however.