Sophie Cunningham believes the recent outrage over WNBA players leaving the court before the national anthem misses one important detail: the practice isn’t new. Speaking with Theo Von, the Indiana Fever guard argued that players have been following similar routines throughout the season and that the backlash has only intensified now that the WNBA Finals are under a brighter spotlight.
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Cunningham addressed the topic on a clip from Von’s This Past Weekend podcast after he asked how she felt about players walking off the court before the anthem. Rather than focusing on whether teams should or should not do it, she pointed to the timing of the reaction.
“I think the majority of people know my thoughts. But I will say that this has been happening throughout the whole season. This isn’t anything new. People are just kind of getting mad about it now.”
The controversy gained national attention during the 2026 WNBA Finals, when the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court before the national anthem ahead of Games 1 and 2. The walkouts generated widespread discussion on social media before drawing further attention on October 22, when President Donald Trump criticized the practice during an Iowa rally and encouraged fans to boycott the league.
The teams’ routines, however, predated the Finals. Atlanta had followed a similar pregame approach for several years, while Golden State had done so since entering the league. That timeline aligns with Cunningham’s central point that the practice itself was not introduced during the championship series, even if the scrutiny around it intensified.
Cunningham’s perspective is rooted in her family’s military background and her appreciation for those who serve. Explaining why the issue resonates with her personally, she tied her views to veterans and service members rather than framing them as a judgment of how others choose to approach the anthem.
“I don’t know. Like, I just feel like personally, I am grateful and I support the people who serve. We have family members who have served. They’re over there doing things that are unimaginable for us to be out here living our dreams and having the freedoms that we live.”
Pregame anthem routines have not been uniform across the WNBA. According to the Associated Press, Indiana was among the teams that remained on the court during the regular season, while Atlanta and Golden State were among those that routinely left the floor before the anthem.
What Sophie Cunningham Said About the National Anthem
Cunningham later expanded on those beliefs, emphasizing her support for veterans while noting that she was speaking from her own perspective rather than attempting to speak for the rest of the league.
“So anytime I can shoutout our veterans… You know, I’m going to show that support. And I’m going to give them love. So that’s where I stand. That doesn’t mean that’s where everyone stands and if it’s right or wrong, whatever. I take a lot of pride in where I come from and I’m proud to be an American citizen.”
The WNBA’s anthem policy adds another layer to the debate. According to the Associated Press, the league suspended enforcement of its anthem protocols in 2017, although the rulebook still states that players, coaches, and trainers should stand in a dignified posture during the anthem. It remains unclear whether that language applies to teams that leave the court before the anthem begins.
For some players and teams, anthem-related decisions have been linked to personal beliefs, community issues, or broader forms of expression. For Cunningham, the subject centers on support for veterans and military families. Those differing interpretations help explain why teams have approached the routine differently across the league.
The renewed attention surrounding the Finals has turned the walkouts into a major talking point, but Cunningham’s comments brought the conversation back to a distinction she believes has been overlooked: the practice itself has been taking place throughout the season, even if public attention toward it has only recently intensified.