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NBA commissioner: Rules require standing for anthem

[September 29, 2017] The Sports Xchange

Citing a league regulation, NBA commissioner Adam Silver anticipates no protests or demonstrations during the national anthem before games in his league.

Speaking Thursday after the NBA's Board of Governors meetings in New York, Silver said, "We have a rule that requires our players to stand for the anthem. It's been our rule for as long as I've been involved with the league, and my expectation is that our players will continue to stand for the anthem."

The comment comes in the wake of widespread demonstrations by NFL teams during the national anthem. Then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick initially sat, then took a knee during the anthem last season as a protest against racial inequality and police brutality.

Several other NFL players took a similar stance last season and this season, but the issue exploded into the spotlight last week after President Donald Trump advocated the firing of players who didn't stand for the anthem. Following Trump's remarks, most NFL teams staged team-wide demonstrations during the anthem, many of them locking arms.

Silver reacted Thursday, saying, "It's my hope that our players will continue to use that as a moment of unity. ... Many of our players have spoken out already about their plan to stand for the anthem. And I think they understand how divisive an issue it is in our society right now."

As for players who might decline to stand for the anthem, Silver said, "If that were to happen, we'll deal with it when it happens."

The NBA already heard directly from Trump last weekend. After Golden State stars Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry expressed reservations about visiting the White House to celebrate their NBA championship, Trump announced on Twitter that the Warriors were not invited.

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media during the Commissioner Press Conference at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

That prompted Silver to say Saturday, "I was in favor of the team visiting the White House and thought it was a rare opportunity for these players to share their views directly with the President."

The commissioner added Thursday, "These are highly complex and nuanced issues. One of the core principles of this country is freedom of expression as well. It is my hope, though, that with NBA players, that given the platform that they have -- whether it's the regular engagement they have with the media, whether it's social media, whether it's other opportunities they have to work in the communities -- that they have those opportunities for their voices to be heard."

As for protests in the other major U.S. pro sports leagues, Oakland A's catcher Bruce Maxwell recently began taking a knee during the national anthem. The NBA and NHL seasons both start next month.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in May, "Respecting the national anthem, I think it's great for our players to be involved in political and social causes. But I also think that's not why people come to games to see them. So, I would encourage and I do encourage our players to do it on their own time."

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