The ongoing 2026 WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries have delivered plenty of talking points through the first two games. While much of the discussion has centered on the teams’ performances, individual players, and the adjustments needed ahead of the next matchup, the championship series has also been overshadowed by controversy. And for former ESPN host Linda Cohn, that is quite a shame.

The Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream were absent from the court during the playing of the national anthem before both Finals games so far. With the series tied at one game apiece and Game 3 approaching, their absence has become a talking point, drawing questions from fans and commentators alike. Cohn was among those who expressed disappointment that the situation had become part of the championship conversation.

“We have a championship series tied at one. We have performances worth talking about. And we have adjustments to discuss and a huge Game 3 coming Wednesday. So, that’s a lot to sell. And yet, here we are spending part of this conversation asking why the players weren’t present for the anthem. What a shame. What a shame,” Cohn said in a reaction video she released on Wednesday.

“I know some people will say, ‘Then stop talking about it, Linda.’ But fans noticing something and asking about it isn’t unreasonable. Neither is asking the league to explain its own policy. So before Game 3, I’d welcome a real answer from the league, from the teams, from a player who wants to explain. And I’d welcome seeing both teams on the court even more,” she added.

Ahead of both games at the Chase Center in San Francisco, players from both rosters completed their pregame warmups and returned to their respective locker rooms moments before “The Star-Spangled Banner” began. They came back onto the floor seconds after the performance ended to prepare for the start of the games.

While the teams’ absence has sparked criticism on social media and drawn reactions from commentators such as Cohn, this is not the first time WNBA franchises have followed such a pregame routine. The practice of leaving the court before the national anthem has, in fact, been part of the league’s broader pregame traditions for several years.

In fact, WNBA teams have routinely left the floor with roughly 10 minutes remaining in pregame warmups since 2020. The practice initially became associated with efforts to raise awareness of social justice issues and has since become integrated into standard pregame locker room preparation for many franchises.

For the Golden State Valkyries, the same locker room routine for the national anthem reportedly started when the franchise debuted. The Atlanta Dream have also followed a similar pregame routine for several years.

While the WNBA’s official rulebook technically includes a provision stating that players and coaches should line up along the sidelines during the national anthem, the league suspended active enforcement of its strict anthem protocols back in 2017.

However, it remains unclear whether those same rules are still suspended or how they apply to the current situation. More importantly, the reasons behind the teams’ absence during the anthem remain unknown. 

Whether the routine reflects a form of protest, a continuation of established pregame habits, or another consideration has also not been publicly explained by either organization. And this lack of clarity has left fans and commentators to form their own interpretations of what is happening.

WNBA Finals Anthem Controversy Deepens as Atlanta Dream, Golden State Valkyries Remain Silent Amid Questions

So far, neither the Atlanta Dream nor the Golden State Valkyries have publicly addressed the ongoing anthem controversy. Individual players, coaches, and team executives from both organizations have remained silent about their absence from the court during the national anthem before the first two games of the Finals.

According to Fox News’ OutKick, the outlet even reached out to both teams and the WNBA with direct questions regarding the anthem absences. However, neither franchise has answered those inquiries, provided an explanation, or issued a press release addressing the situation.

In fact, according to OutKick reporter Dan Zaksheske, media members attended the postgame press conferences following both Game 1 and Game 2 with the specific intention of asking the head coaches and players about leaving the floor before the national anthem. However, the WNBA and team public relations staff manage which reporters ask questions during these official press conferences. And the reporters seeking to raise questions about the anthem didn’t get the opportunity to speak.

With neither organization offering an explanation and questions continuing to emerge ahead of Game 3, the controversy remains unresolved. As Cohn pointed out, fans are entitled to ask questions. The league and teams also have a responsibility to clarify the situation. 

For now, however, all eyes will be on Game 3, and not just because of the performances of the players and teams. Many will also be watching to see whether the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries remain absent from the court during the national anthem once again.