DALLAS (AP) – Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said Tuesday that he has decided not to sing the national anthem before the team’s home games before this season.
The Mavericks played the first 10 games in the regular season at home without fans. The club had fans for the first time in Monday’s 127-122 victory over Minnesota. Dallas allows 1,500 vaccinated essential workers to participate in games for free.
The Cuban did not detail his decision not to sing the anthem, saying no one noticed. Athletic reported for the first time that Dallas gave up the anthem.
NBA spokesman Tim Frank said: “Under the unique circumstances of this season, teams are allowed to conduct pre-game operations as they see fit.”
The Cuban has been outspoken against criticism from NBA players and coaches who knelt during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” when the 2019-20 season resumed in the Florida ball last summer.
The preliminary national anthem is an essential element of American sport both professionally and collegially, but is much less common at professional sports events in other countries.
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