The Aporia · Valkyries, Dream continue to snub anthem at WNBA Finals as Vance calls protest ‘disgraceful’

Valkyries, Dream continue to snub anthem at WNBA Finals as Vance calls protest ‘disgraceful’

Read the original at New York Post ↗

Cite

APA MLA Chicago

Murray, T. L. (2026, October 22). Valkyries, Dream continue to snub anthem at WNBA Finals as Vance calls protest ‘disgraceful’. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2026/10/21/sports/wnba-finals-anthem-protest-continues-as-jd-vance-blasts-players/

Dated from the outlet's own feed. Check the original for its byline.

Quick Summary

During Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Atlanta, players from both the Valkyries and Dream walked back to their locker rooms before the National Anthem was played, continuing a pattern established in previous games. Vice President JD Vance criticized this action, calling it "disgraceful" and suggesting that players should show more gratitude for the opportunities they have. Fans on social media echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the players' protest. The Dream had previously protested during the 2020 season, citing issues with the anthem not representing freedom and justice for all Americans, while the Valkyries historically have not engaged in such protests.

Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-22, using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the same event (that is the story summary below).

AI analysis runs on qwen2.5:14b, locally

Story summary

Players from both the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries left the court during the national anthem before the first two games of the WNBA Finals, sparking controversy. Riley Gaines, an advocate on this issue, argues that players who refuse to stand for the anthem should not be eligible to represent the United States in international competitions like the Olympics. Vice President JD Vance also condemned the protests as "disgraceful," stating that athletes with significant privileges and opportunities should show more respect towards their country. Despite these criticisms, players continued their protest during Game 3, walking back to the locker room just before the anthem was played, drawing cheers from fans who supported them.

Written for “WNBA Anthem Controversy” on 2026-10-22, grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.

Why this leaning score

The model judged this article politically coded and scored it +0.35, but 1 quote(s) could not be found in the article and the other 2 are attributed speech rather than the article's own narration, so the score is not published.

Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.

Leaning score withheld for article 98112: no verified evidence · logged 2026-10-22

Story

📰 WNBA Anthem Controversy

Sports · 3 article(s) covering the same event. See how they differ ↓

Compared with similar articles

This article reads unscored and hedges 7% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

Dream and Valkyries leave court for national anthem, return seconds later at WNBA Finals different event · 95%

Fox News · 0.87 cosine similarity

⚖️ leaning not scored 🔴 0% hedged 0 of 18 📰 publisher trust 67

“The articles describe different instances of teams leaving the court during the national anthem at different games of the WNBA Finals.”

Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries are top defensive teams in WNBA, now facing off in finals different event · 95%

Toronto Star

⚖️ leaning not scored 🔴 5% hedged 2 of 39 📰 publisher trust 63

“The articles describe different aspects of the WNBA Finals between the Valkyries and Dream, but not the same specific incident or time.”

A first-time WNBA champion awaits as the Valkyries and Dream open the Finals different event · 95%

Toronto Star

⚖️ leaning not scored 🔴 8% hedged 2 of 25 📰 publisher trust 63

“The articles describe different aspects of the WNBA Finals between Valkyries and Dream, but Article A is about the start of the series while Article B covers a specific protest during Game 3.”

JD Vance condemns ‘disgraceful’ protests at WNBA Finals, says players need to show more respect same event · 95%

New York Post

⚖️ Leans strongly right 🔴 0% hedged 0 of 24 📰 publisher trust 66

“Both articles describe WNBA Finals players from Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries skipping the national anthem before Game 3, with JD Vance condemning the protests.”

Grow up, WNBA — enough with the National Anthem boycott different event · 85%

New York Post · 0.86 cosine similarity

⚖️ Leans strongly right 🔴 10% hedged 1 of 10 📰 publisher trust 66

“The articles describe different games of the WNBA Finals where players protested by leaving for the locker room during the National Anthem, but they refer to distinct game dates (Sunday's Game 1 vs. Wednesday's Game 3).”

A packed State Farm Arena awaits as the Dream host their first WNBA Finals game in 13 years different event · 80%

Toronto Star

⚖️ leaning not scored 🔴 0% hedged 0 of 17 📰 publisher trust 63

“The articles describe related events during the WNBA Finals but focus on different aspects and times of the game. Article A focuses on the excitement and attendance for Game 3, while Article B covers a protest by players regarding the National Anthem before the start of Game 3.”

Dream and Valkyries skip national anthem again in WNBA Finals Game 2 despite rulebook requirement different event · 75%

Fox News · 0.87 cosine similarity

⚖️ Leans right 🔴 0% hedged 0 of 19 📰 publisher trust 67

“The articles describe different games (Game 2 and Game 3) of the WNBA Finals, each with distinct dates.”

OutKick readers blast WNBA players for hiding during Finals national anthem different event · 50%

Fox News

⚖️ Leans strongly right 🔴 3% hedged 2 of 66 📰 publisher trust 67

“The articles refer to different games of the WNBA Finals; Article A describes an incident from Monday night, while Article B describes a similar incident on Wednesday night.”

WNBA anthem controversy sparks calls to bar players who don't stand from Team USA's Olympic roster different event · 50%

Fox News

⚖️ leaning not scored 🔴 2% hedged 1 of 41 📰 publisher trust 67

“While both articles discuss teams leaving the court for the national anthem during the WNBA Finals, Article A focuses on a call to bar players from representing USA in Olympics if they don't stand for the anthem, while Article B describes the specific incident of teams walking back to locker room before the anthem at Game 3.”

Valkyries and Dream ditch National Anthem for second game in a row during WNBA Finals different event · 20%

New York Post · 0.92 cosine similarity

⚖️ leaning not scored 🔴 9% hedged 1 of 11 📰 publisher trust 66

“The articles describe different games within the same series of events; Article A covers Game 2, while Article B covers Game 3.”

Signals How these are calculated →

Claims extracted

sentences that state something as happening or true

Uncertain

1 of 14 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

Leaning

withheld

no quote in the article backed the model's score

Publisher signals

66/100

New York Post's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.

Outlets on this story

Sports

Same framing elsewhere

articles that frame the event the way this one does

Who wrote this

Thomas L. Murray

141 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 Moments before the Valkyries and the Dream were set to play Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night, former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom said he was kicked out of State Farm Arena.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Enes Kanter Freedom says WNBA booted him after he refused private suite

🔮 Ryan Garcia vs. Floyd Mayweather is happening, and it’s going to be a real fight, according to the WBC welterweight champion.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Ryan Garcia claims he’s landed blockbuster Floyd Mayweather fight for world title

🔮 Head coach Sean McVay told reporters on Wednesday that the team hasn’t spoken internally about bringing in another wide receiver, as they’re set to be without Davante Adams for the next 6-10 weeks.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Rams aren’t rushing to replace Davante Adams despite major injury blow

🔮 As Game 3 of the Finals was set to begin on Wednesday night, players from both teams were seen walking back to the locker room just before the National Anthem was about to be sung.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Valkyries, Dream continue to snub anthem at WNBA Finals as Vance calls protest ‘disgraceful’

🔮 “As noted last week, conversations between the Warriors, Kristaps and his representatives will remain private.

2026-10-21 · assertive framing · Warriors make their stance clear amid growing Kristaps Porzingis drama

🔮 “I think that we feel pride in that we sort of got that franchise to a place where it was like, ‘Oh no, you’re expected to make the playoffs.

2026-10-21 · assertive framing · Blake Griffin points out Clippers refusal to honor ‘Lob City’ era teams

🔮 Now, he will miss the rest of the 2026-2027 season.

2026-10-21 · assertive framing · Kings star calls Ben Simmons’ Achilles injury ‘Worst thing I’ve ever seen’

🔮 As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to open the 2026-2027 NBA season on Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors, they could be shorthanded.

2026-10-21 · assertive framing · Lakers face Collin Sexton injury concern ahead of Warriors opener

🔮 When Knecht first joined the team, he was regularly in the Lakers’ starting rotation, but injuries would shortly accumulate, and he was never the same. Bronny James has spent time back and forth between the G League and the Lakers’ active roster.

2026-10-21 · assertive framing · Tracy Morgan takes brutal shot at Bronny James during Knicks opener

🔮 Curry went on to say that when he, Thompson and Green decide the day comes that they all retire, he will be looking forward to having “a glass of bourbon, and reminisce on all the things that we were able to accomplish.”

2026-10-21 · assertive framing · Steph Curry opens up on painful reality of Warriors’ Klay Thompson split

Also by Thomas L. Murray

Enes Kanter Freedom says WNBA booted him after he refused private suite

2026-10-22 · New York Post

Ryan Garcia claims he’s landed blockbuster Floyd Mayweather fight for world title

2026-10-22 · New York Post

Rams aren’t rushing to replace Davante Adams despite major injury blow

2026-10-22 · New York Post

Warriors make their stance clear amid growing Kristaps Porzingis drama

2026-10-21 · New York Post

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 141 articles by Thomas L. Murray →

Narrative

Claims (14 extracted, 1 hedged)

Players of the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream continue to protest the National Anthem during the WNBA Finals. asserted

Players → continue → Finals

As Game 3 of the Finals was set to begin on Wednesday night, players from both teams were seen walking back to the locker room just before the National Anthem was about to be sung. asserted

Anthem → set → room

It was the third time during the series that both teams went to the locker room before the anthem played. asserted

anthem → go → room

As fans were starting to pile into State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta, the players started heading towards the locker room, resulting in the fans erupting in cheers as they were voicing their support. asserted

they → start → support

Before the game tipped off, Vice President JD Vance called out the WNBA players in an interview on “Arroyo Grande” hosted by Raymond Arroyo, and said, “I think it’s disgraceful.” asserted

it → tip → Arroyo

“I think that you should not express some criticism of a public policy of a given politician by disrespecting the country writ large,” Vance said. asserted

Vance → think → country

“I mean, those women who play for the WNBA, think of the public safety, think of the incredible wealth and privilege, the amazing jobs that they have.” asserted

they → mean → that

Vance went on to say that he thinks the WNBA players have a lot to be grateful for towards the country and if “they had a bit more of a spirit of gratitude, they’d be happier people, and they wouldn’t offend so many people as well.” asserted

they → go → people

Vance’s thoughts echoed across WNBA fans on social media, as @JaJaskii wrote, “GD these players and teams don’t give a damn.” asserted

players → echo → damn

@Publius87 wrote, “These ungrateful DEI special hate the very country that gave them handouts!” asserted

that → write → handouts

The Valkyries, who are in their second season as a WNBA franchise, have not had a history of protesting the anthem, while the Dream do. asserted

Dream → have → anthem

In 2020, Atlanta was not participating in the National Anthem due to the George Floyd protests. asserted

Atlanta → participate → protests

The Dream released a statement that season, and it read, “the anthem does not represent freedom, justice and liberty for all Americans.” asserted

anthem → release → Americans

According to the WNBA’s official rulebook, teams are required to stand and line up during the performance. uncertain

teams → accord → performance

Valkyries, Dream continue to snub anthem at WNBA Finals as Vance calls protest ‘disgraceful’

Quick Summary

AI analysis runs on qwen2.5:14b, locally

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Narrative

Claims (14 extracted, 1 hedged)