Mavericks become first team to stop playing national anthem before games

According to Tim Cato, of The Athletic, the Dallas Mavericks have ceased playing the national anthem before home games this season and do not plan to play it moving forward, a decision made by owner Mark Cuban, which he confirmed to The Athletic on Monday evening.

All of the preseason and regular-season games played at American Airlines Center this season have not featured the national anthem. Monday night, however, was the first time this season that fans/media were allowed into the arena, which brought immediate attention to the Mavs choosing to not play the national anthem before tip-off.

According to Cato, Cuban declined to comment further on the removal of the national anthem at American Airlines Center.