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Coach Defends WNBA Teams Over Anthem Protests
21 Oct
Summary
- Rennae Stubbs called user's claim about anthem walk-offs a flat-out lie.
- WNBA's anthem protocols were suspended in 2017, allowing team decisions.
- Stubbs previously defended a coach's controversial statement on Angel Reese.
Rennae Stubbs, coach to tennis star Serena Williams, has publicly challenged criticism directed at WNBA teams for their pre-anthem conduct during the 2026 Finals. The controversy arose on October 17 and 19, when players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries exited the court before "The Star-Spangled Banner" and returned afterward.
Despite the WNBA rulebook previously requiring players to stand, the league suspended its anthem protocols in 2017. This change allows teams autonomy in deciding how to handle pregame ceremonies. Stubbs directly confronted a user on Threads who inaccurately claimed the league failed to enforce its rules regarding the anthem.
Stubbs, known for her active engagement in WNBA discussions, also recently defended Toronto Tempo coach Sandy Brondello. Brondello had faced backlash for referring to Angel Reese as a "protected species," a comment Brondello clarified as an Australian idiom related to officiating, not race. Stubbs supported this explanation, noting that another Black female colleague used a similar phrase regarding refereeing.
Stubbs has coached Serena Williams during significant periods, including a stint for the 2022 US Open and a partnership starting in March 2026 for Williams' tennis comeback.
