Rules for thee, not for me.

Monday night in San Francisco, for the second consecutive game of the WNBA Finals, the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries stepped off the court before the national anthem and then immediately returned to the court after Canadian-born Alanis Morissette finished her performance.

The spineless league hasn't said a word despite the women continuing to break an anthem rulebook provision that requires them to attend the performance. Now that we've reported, it's time for you guys to react and share your feelings on this drama that isn't going away.

WNBA SILENT AFTER FINALS TEAMS SKIP NATIONAL ANTHEM DESPITE RULE REQUIRING PLAYERS TO STAND AND LINE UP

Let's do this.

OutKick readers weigh in on how the anthem situation should be handled:

• UNLV Doc has some deep thoughts to share: WNBA types and political sycophants probably think they're rebels, and they are. But they are rebelling against order and creation in favor of chaos, which is always the easy way to mindlessly effect change, and what the selfish have always done. Honorable rebels take a stand, work, and sacrifice, even against self-interest to bravely bring about something other than the chaos that naturally exists without applied effort to create something good. I'm looking forward to seeing such leaders emerge from the WNBA mob; I know they're in there somewhere.

• Richard C. sent in this great take: How about a double disqualification and no champion recognized this year.

• Carmen has hit a breaking point: I love Daily Outkick and I hate the WNBA and everyday it's just funny to read and move on. It's not that funny anymore. The WNBA has failed women. As a female coach, I do my best to build strong, confident, capable, athletes who happen to be females. They are held to a standard that doesn't include entitlement, excuses, or any agenda other than TEAM.

The WNBA is about anything but sport, and that is inexcusable for so many young women pursuing professional sports. Pushing themselves to another level to achieve their goals. It's embarrassing that this is women's professional basketball when so few hold themselves to that level. It's a soap opera that deserves zero attention.

As an organization that is supposed to promote the best in women's sport, it's become laughable. It's a joke that has a played out punchline. You have failed those you are supposed to be a trailblazer for. When athletic performance is secondary to everything else, you have failed as a league.

• Pops makes a good point: The WNBA proves once again they are a political activist organization not a women’s basketball organization. They decide what rules they want to enforce and what rules they will not enforce.

• Kenneth is fed up: Well I have an answer. If the WNBA had any balls (which they don’t) both teams would be banned from playing the game and all players suspended indefinitely. If you can’t attend and stand for the national anthem of the country that has given you everything then you have no business being here.

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• Mark S. sends a message to WNBA executives: What a crock. The league is a farce and an embarrassment to our country, not thier country. Fine them all. This is not a political forum it is a game and rules are rules. Enough of the lesbian leaque and who wnba management listen to. Stand up and control your players or get rid of them Set an example.

• Mike Mc. says: The WNBA is a sideshow of awkward misfits playing a child's game poorly.  It's no surprise that they do dumb things, but it is surprising that any discerning "fan" pays attention to this collection of grumpy malcontents.  On second thought, if you had any discernment, you wouldn't be a fan. Problem solved.

• Joe B. wants the WNBA to take a hike: Remove the entire league from USA arenas. Sell the entire group to Europe, Asia or a South America country. Who needs these disrespectful ingrates playing here?

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• Don says enough is enough: Why are we continually putting up with the WNBA? They have proven they are a league that continually cares only about themselves and no one or nothing else.The league fails to react to any of the players who disobey the rules. They have tried to turn this into a racial bias league. I think i am done.

• Gary says punish them for breaking the rules: This is just another example of disrespect for our nation and should not go unpunished by the league. Actions should have consequences.

• Richard S. tells us: Stop giving the anti American league any more print.

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• Michael M. emails: I think all the international players should be deported for not respecting the American flag and National Anthem and all the lesbians be disbarred from playing in the WNBA.

• Jerry has a simple message: Real Americans don't watch this trash anyway.

Here's a sampling of other comments posted to our WNBA anthem coverage:

• It’s like this league/teams/players go out of their way to make people not like them. I’ve never seen a major sports or entertainment franchise so hell bent as this one to be as unappealing to the public at large as this one. It’s quite amazing.
• Disgusting. But as a private organization I guess the players can do what they want…. as can I. I immediately changed the channel. I won’t watch that baloney. We don’t need another France.
• Once could be a mix up. Twice in a row is INTENTIONAL! The coaches, the players, and the owners should be fined.
• Fine each team $250,000 for this offense. Third offense $350,000 each. Fourth offense each team gets one game forfeited. Get serious WNBA! This is a disgrace.
• The WNBA finally has a shot at gaining traction and instead of embracing it, they seem determined to throw it away. 

• This aligns with the sickness of our culture - lack of gratitude. the fact that a person can kneel during the national anthem is reason to stand for it. That alone, we should be grateful.
• It is amazing to watch an organization "Bud-Light" themselves. They already can't support themselves. They have to be subsidized by the NBA. I don't see much of a future for the WNBA.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told Republican lawmakers that former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are ineligible to play in the league because they are "both men," responding to a congressional inquiry without supplying the definition of "women" that lawmakers had requested.

"With respect to your questions regarding eligibility, only women are eligible to play in the WNBA and the individuals you cite in your letter are both men," Engelbert wrote in the Oct. 16 response. The letter, which is dated Oct. 16, was provided to OutKick by the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), which represents Freedom.

The letter answered a Sept. 17 inquiry from Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., and four other House Republicans about eligibility, player safety and confrontations with fans. Freedom and White had announced plans to enter the 2027 WNBA Draft while saying they identify as women.

GOP CONGRESSMAN PRESSES WNBA TO DEFINE ‘WOMEN’ AFTER ENES KANTER FREEDOM, ROYCE WHITE RULED INELIGIBLE

The lawmakers asked how the league defines "women" under Article XIII, Section 1(a) of its collective bargaining agreement, and why the two former NBA players had been deemed ineligible. That provision of the 2026 agreement states: "Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA." It does not define the term in that eligibility provision.

Stutzman welcomed Engelbert’s statement as an acknowledgment of a distinction based on biological sex.

"The WNBA has just taken the first step in defining what a woman is for the sports community," Stutzman said in a statement.

"By clearly labeling Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White as men they have acknowledged that identifying as a woman does not change basic human biology."

WNBA COMMISSIONER CATHY ENGELBERT SENDS TRANS INCLUSION MEMO AFTER ENES FREEDOM, ROYCE WHITE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Engelbert’s letter did not announce a new eligibility rule or spell out a broader policy governing transgender athletes.

Freedom, meanwhile, argued that the response left unanswered the central question of what standards the WNBA applies when deciding who qualifies to compete.

"Cathy Engelbert cannot clearly define what a woman is, but she's absolutely certain that I'm a man," Freedom told OutKick. "I mean, how does that make sense? Who gets to decide? Who has the authority to determine whether someone is a woman?"

"So if the league is still working through these questions, how can its commissioner be so certain about my eligibility without explaining the standards that she's applying?" he added.

Asked whether he believed Engelbert had misgendered him in her letter to Congress, Freedom answered, "Yes, 100%."

"I just want her to respect my identity because I am telling you that I identify as a woman," he said.

Freedom said his effort to join the league is intended to push it to adopt an explicit requirement limiting participation to biological females. He acknowledged that determining someone’s identity and determining eligibility for women’s sports may involve different decisions.

"This is bigger than one basketball player," he said. "I mean, who gets to determine someone's identity? The individual, the commissioner, the medical professional, or a committee or a task force?"

"And who gets to determine eligibility to compete in women's category?" he continued. "So those may be different decisions, but the WNBA needs to explain where it draws the line."

The debate over the league’s eligibility standards intensified this summer after Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham voiced support for excluding transgender girls and women from female sports. Her comments drew both support and criticism, including rallies during the Fever’s road trips. Some players and coaches publicly supported transgender inclusion. Freedom has pointed to Golden State Valkyries player Gabby Williams’ support for transgender athletes as the inspiration for his own effort to enter the WNBA.

In August, a league task force of team presidents and general managers discussed transgender participation along with online abuse directed at players. The task force was an existing anti-hate committee, rather than a group created solely to determine eligibility.

At the time, the league said there were no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA and condemned attempts to use the subject to demean or marginalize others. It said discussions with league stakeholders would continue in the coming weeks and months.

Freedom questioned how the league’s ongoing discussions fit with Engelbert’s definitive statement about him and White.

"So what about the task force?" he said. "If the task force itself has not reached a clear definition, why is the commissioner making such a definitive statement?"

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Eligibility was only one part of the lawmakers’ inquiry. Their September letter also challenged the league’s response to physical play, including incidents involving Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington and Cunningham, and sought an explanation of its handling of confrontations between players and spectators.

In her response, Engelbert defended the league’s officiating and disciplinary processes. She said officials enforce the rules during games, while WNBA League Basketball Operations reviews games afterward, including atypical or overly physical plays. The league can then upgrade fouls or impose discipline.

"In all instances the League seeks to apply its rules and relevant disciplinary processes consistently for all players, coaches, and officials," Engelbert wrote.

On fan conduct, the commissioner said spectators must follow the WNBA’s code of conduct and can be ejected for violations. She said the league and its teams seek to enforce that code consistently.

The lawmakers had specifically cited Sky guard Natasha Cloud’s confrontation with Freedom during an Aug. 23 game against the Fever at Wintrust Arena. They questioned why Cloud had not received punishment while Seattle Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton received a five-game suspension following a separate confrontation with fans.

Engelbert’s response did not specifically explain the different outcomes involving Cloud and Keaton.

Freedom was ejected from the Chicago game and subsequently banned from Sky home games at Wintrust Arena. He later filed a lawsuit alleging that his First Amendment rights had been violated. Sky owner Michael Alter disputed that account, saying security removed Freedom because of his conduct, rather than his speech.

Stutzman said he continued to have concerns beyond the eligibility issue. The national anthem has become another point of criticism during the WNBA Finals. Players from the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court before the anthem during the opening two games and returned after it concluded.

"While this is a step in the right direction, the alarming disrespect the WNBA still has for their fans and our national anthem needs to be corrected," he said.

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Engelbert closed her letter by saying the league would continue working to protect players and personnel, including addressing hate and vitriol directed at players online and on social media.

The commissioner is scheduled to retire at the end of 2026, following an announcement in September. Freedom said her successor could resolve his eligibility challenge by making the restriction he wants explicit.

"We are adding the word biological next to the word female, this whole thing will end the next day," Freedom said, describing the announcement he wants the next commissioner to make. "I will walk to the sunset. They will not hear from me ever again."

The eligibility language is part of the agreement negotiated between the WNBA and its players’ union. Engelbert’s letter did not announce any amendment to that agreement.

Freedom said he intends to continue pursuing a place in the league unless its rules change.

"I'm asking for consistency," he said. "I spent 11 years playing in the NBA. I understand, you know, professional basketball really well."

"If they do not change the rules, they better select me in a WNBA draft in 2027," he added.

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"You cannot answer an eligibility question simply by declaring what somebody is," Freedom said. "You need to explain the policy you are enforcing."

SAN FRANCISCO – Angel Reese started Game 1 of the WNBA Finals with 11 points in the first quarter, then went the rest of the afternoon without making another field goal. In Game 2, she gave the Atlanta Dream considerably more than a good start.

Reese scored 30 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead Atlanta to a 79-65 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Monday night at Chase Center, evening the best-of-seven series at 1-1. She added 3 assists, 2 blocks and a steal.

She became the youngest player to record at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in a WNBA postseason game.

DREAM, VALKYRIES SKIP NATIONAL ANTHEM IN WNBA FINALS GAME 2 DESPITE RULEBOOK REQUIREMENT

It took four trips to the Finals for the Dream to finally win a game. Atlanta was swept in 2010, 2011 and 2013, then lost Saturday’s opener to fall to 0-10 in championship series games. Reese helped put an end to that streak with one of the best games of her career.

But before tipoff, there was another national anthem controversy. Both teams again stayed off the court for the anthem, leaving the floor just before the start of the "Star-Spangled Banner" and returning seconds after Alanis Morissette finished her performance.

The WNBA’s rulebook calls for players, coaches and trainers to stand and line up during the anthem. The league has not answered OutKick’s questions about the teams’ absences.

Once the game began, Reese attacked the basket and kept giving Atlanta offense. She scored eight points in the first quarter and seven in the second, giving her 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the first half. Those 15 points represented one more than she scored in all of Game 1.

ANGEL REESE IS IN THE WNBA FINALS, BUT HER CHICAGO EXIT RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT HER WINNING MENTALITY

Reese’s strong night still included a brief tantrum early in the third quarter. With the game tied at 40, she stomped her feet after not getting the ball and walked away while Atlanta’s possession continued, taking herself out of position to pursue an offensive rebound. That’s a bad look in a Finals game.

To Reese's credit, she didn't let one bad moment define her night. She followed the outburst with a block on Tiffany Hayes, then later finished through contact against Kiah Stokes and completed the three-point play.

Cameras showed Reese yelling "Give me the f-----g ball!" after the and-1 bucket.

Reese finished with nine third-quarter points, matching Golden State’s entire output.

The Valkyries never made Reese pay for entering the second half with three fouls. She stayed on the floor for the entire third quarter without picking up another one, while Golden State kept firing jump shots and failed to get to the free-throw line.

Both teams made four field goals in the third quarter, including one three-pointer apiece. Atlanta went 12-for-12 at the foul line. Golden State didn’t attempt a free throw. This wasn't a case of a one-way whistle, either; Golden State routinely settled for outside shots rather than attacking the paint.

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The Dream took a 60-46 lead into the fourth, and the advantage reached 21 with just over six minutes remaining.

Reese added six points in the fourth quarter, including a 24-foot three-pointer that put Atlanta ahead 74-55 with 4:15 remaining.

The series moves to Atlanta’s State Farm Arena for Game 3 on Wednesday.

SAN FRANCISCO – The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries were off the court for the national anthem before Game 2 of the WNBA Finals on Monday night, repeating their Game 1 absences despite a provision in the league’s own rulebook calling for players to stand and line up during the performance.

WNBA SILENT AS FINALS TEAMS SKIP NATIONAL ANTHEM DESPITE RULE REQUIRING PLAYERS TO STAND IN LINE

Just like in Game 1, the teams left the floor less than one minute before the start of the anthem and returned mere seconds after the singer sang the final note.

The repeat absence followed OutKick’s questions to both teams about why they were off the court Saturday and whether they planned to be present for Monday’s anthem.

Despite multiple requests to both teams, those questions had gone unanswered when OutKick published a follow-up Monday morning.

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The WNBA’s rulebook includes an anthem provision

The WNBA’s 2026 official rulebook says players, coaches and trainers are to "stand and line up in a dignified posture" along the sidelines or on the foul line during the national anthem.

OutKick asked the league about its anthem requirements, whether any discipline was planned or under consideration over Game 1, and whether it had instructed or planned to instruct either team to be on the court for Game 2.

We also asked the league to confirm whether both teams would be present Monday.

The WNBA has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Game 1 questions preceded another anthem absence

Before Saturday’s opener, both teams were warming up on the court before leaving just ahead of the anthem. They returned within seconds of the performance ending.

DREAM, VALKYRIES LEAVE COURT DURING NATIONAL ANTHEM, RETURN SECONDS LATER BEFORE WNBA FINALS

OutKick contacted the league, Dream and Valkyries that afternoon, then followed up with all three Sunday.

The team inquiries also asked whether the WNBA had communicated any instructions or expectations about the anthem since Game 1.

Additionally, OutKick attended all five of Saturday’s pregame and postgame press conferences and raised a hand at each, but was never called on to ask the planned anthem questions.

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OutKick also attended both coaches' press conferences prior to Game 2. Again, we were not called upon to ask a question.

The WNBA’s own rulebook calls for players to stand and line up for the anthem. Two games into its Finals, neither team has even been on the floor for it. And the league remains silent about the apparent violation of its own policy.

Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries was supposed to be about an historic matchup between star forward Angel Reese and one of the league's newest franchises. Instead, it became about neither team being on the floor to honor America during the national anthem.

The post WATCH: Valkyries, Dream Not on the Floor for National Anthem Ahead of WNBA Finals Game appeared first on Breitbart.

Seeing her seated is striking. When she stands, all you can do is look up. Zhang Ziyu is 19 and stands 2.23 meters tall (seven feet and three inches). She is the tallest professional women’s basketball player in history and the main attraction at the World Cup in Berlin, where she is competing with China’s national team, but as she herself points out, she’s still almost a child. “Everyone thinks I’m tough because I’m very tall, but I’m still a young girl, sometimes quite childish,” Zhang says in a FIBA documentary. It shows in her youthful face, in the jokes with her teammates and in the laughter as she runs through the mixed zone. And in her hobby of crocheting handicrafts that she gives to friends, like a stuffed elephant she spent two weeks sewing with yarn. When she recalls how she became a star, she says she misses her childhood bed full of rag dolls.

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