President Donald Trump has criticized the WNBA after the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries repeatedly left the court before the national anthem during the WNBA Finals.
Speaking at a rally Thursday night, Trump warned that the league could “destroy themselves” just as it begins gaining momentum. He compared the controversy to the NFL protests, arguing that the football league’s ratings suffered when players knelt during the anthem.
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“Hey, by the way, what’s going on with the women’s NBA? What’s that all about?” Trump said. “You know, they’ll destroy themselves before they get started because they’re just starting to do good.”
The Dream and Valkyries have stepped off the court shortly before the anthem at every Finals game so far. They return once the anthem has ended and the game preparations continue.
The decision has triggered criticism from conservative commentators, including anti-trans activist Riley Gaines. Gaines argued that players who protest during the anthem should not be allowed to represent the United States at the Olympics.
However, the players did not kneel during the anthem. They simply were not on the court when it was played.
The teams also do not appear to be violating current league policy. Although the WNBA rulebook includes procedures for what players are expected to do during the anthem, those protocols were suspended years ago, according to Associated Press reporter Doug Feinberg.
The league suspended the protocols in a 2017 memo after players wanted to show support for victims of the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Since then, WNBA teams have taken different approaches during the anthem. Some teams have left the court, while others—including the Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx this season—have remained on the floor.
Trump nevertheless urged his supporters to consider boycotting the league unless players remain on the court.
“No, it’s a big deal going on. They leave the court when the national anthems play. What’s that all about?” Trump said. “You know, the NFL did that for a while. They stopped because people stopped watching the games.”
“So I think you should do the same thing with women’s basketball unless they get going,” he added.
Trump also suggested that the controversy could threaten the WNBA’s recent growth. The league has attracted increased attention in recent seasons, fueled by a new generation of stars, expanded media coverage, and rising interest in women’s basketball.
The anthem dispute has added a political dimension to the Finals, even though the teams’ actions are permitted under the league’s current procedures. It remains unclear whether the Dream and Valkyries will continue leaving the court before the anthem for the rest of the series.