NBA Memo Reinforces That Players Must Stand For National Anthem: Report

The NBA sent a memo to basketball teams ahead of the season start date reinforcing the rule that teams must stand for the national anthem as the issue has become particularly raw at NFL games after President Donald Trump called for the firing of players who kneel during the national anthem.

The memo, sent Friday and obtained by both The Washington Post and ESPN, was sent by NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum to the league’s owners, team presidents and general managers. The memo is intended to serve as a blueprint for teams on approaching the issue and included proposals for initiatives teams could create before the season starts or before or during the opening home game of the season, the Post reported.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this week that he expects players to stand for the national anthem.

“It’s been a rule as long as I’ve been involved with the league, and my expectation is that our players will continue to stand for the anthem,” Silver said Thursday.

When asked what would happen to those who may choose not to stand for the anthem, Silver said the league would deal with it as it happens.

The memo states that teams do not have the discretion to waive the rule about standing during the anthem and the league office “will determine how to deal with any possible instance in which a player, coach or trainer does not stand for the anthem.”

Since Trump's attacks on NFL players who choose to protest and after he chose to rescind his invitation to Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, pro athletes have spoken out against the president and NFL players have protested in far greater numbers than usual.

LeBron James, who spoke at length about Trump and how he was using sports to divide the country, said that his voice is stronger than his knee when asked whether he would kneel during the national anthem in protest.

The practice of kneeling during the national anthem was started by Colin Kaepernick who then played for the San Francisco 49ers. Many players then followed with their own protests.

You can read the full memo at The Washington Post and ESPN.

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