The WNBA finals got underway in Minnesota on Sunday with the Los Angeles Sparks protesting the playing of the national anthem as a unit.
Instead of taking the knee like scores of other athletes around the sporting world today, Sparks players left the court during the playing of the anthem and returned once it was complete.
Speaking before the game to USA Today and other assembled media, WNBA President Lisa Boarders mentioned the WNBA’s history of peaceful protesting and anticipated players would demonstrate to open the series.
“We all have watched television today and our social media feeds and we know this is an interesting time in our country,” she told reporters in a pregame press conference. “Let me just say our Commissioner, my colleague and my friend Adam Silver put out a statement yesterday and I want you all to know that I personally believe all of us stand in full support with Adam, our big brother – the NBA – and our entire enterprise.
“Our players are some of the most socially conscious that you will ever find,” she continued. “You have seen that in the years before I got here and I’m sure it will continue in the future.”
To see additional images from the Lynx vs. Sparks game from Minnesota and reactions, flip the pages.