Dallas Stars appear to troll Mark Cuban and Mavericks with message on national anthem
The Dallas Stars have weighed in on the national anthem flap, even if no one asked them.
The team posted a message on social media seemingly trolling the Dallas Mavericks and owner Mark Cuban who had chosen not to play the anthem before games through 13 games this season at American Airlines Center. The Mavs said they will begin playing the anthem again, according to a team spokesman. Cuban said earlier in the day that the team has had ongoing conversations on the potential use of the anthem as more fans are allowed to attend games. Indeed, the anthem was played before Wednesday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Stars, who also play their home games at American Airlines Center, have allowed a limited number of fans at games this season. The Mavs have only allowed a very small number of fans on a very limited basis recently.
“The national anthem is a time-honored tradition and the Dallas Stars will continue to perform the Star-Spangled Banner prior to our games at American Airlines Center,” the team posted on Twitter. “As the only National Hockey League team in Texas, we are proud to represent our state and our country.”
In a news release, Cuban explained his stance on the anthem, including those that feel the anthem does not represent them.
“We respect and always have respected the passion people have for the anthem and our country. But we also loudly hear the voices of those who feel that the anthem does not represent them. We feel that their voices need to be respected and heard, because they have not been,” Cuban said. “Going forward, our hope is that people will take the same passion they have for this issue and apply the same amount of energy to listen to those who feel differently from them. Only then we can move forward and have courageous conversations that move this country forward and find what unites us.”
Staff writer Elenaor Dearman contributed to this story.
This story was originally published February 10, 2021 at 2:24 PM.
