Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban came under criticism from the right on Wednesday after news broke that he had stopped playing the national anthem before his NBA team’s home games this season.
The NBA on Wednesday announced it would mandate all teams play the anthem before games. Cuban told reporters he will begin playing the anthem again before games.
“The hope is that those who feel passionate about the anthem being played will be just as passionate in listening to those who do not feel it represents them,” Cuban said.
The Mavericks have not played the anthem at American Airlines Center before any of their 13 preseason and regular season games this year. Cuban said he instructed gameday staff not to play the anthem after talking the matter over with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
After ESPN, The Athletic and several other outlets reported the news, critics, mainly on the political right, blasted the franchise and its owner.
NBA rules dictate that players stand during the national anthem, an edict that has not been enforced over the last year as dozens of players have engaged in protests against policy brutality and systemic racism.
The Mavericks hosted a limited number of fans for the first time at American Airlines Center Monday night.