Sophie Cunningham stands alone as opponets skip the national anthem

• Atlanta Dream players remained off the court during the national anthem while the Indiana Fever squad stood together on the floor.

• Sophie Cunningham stood out as the only player on the court to place her hand over her heart during “The Star Spangled Banner.”

• The gesture sparked divided reactions among fans who praised her as a patriotic figure and critics who called the media focus exaggerated.

The recent WNBA matchup between the Atlanta Dream and Indiana Fever at State Farm Arena opened with a notable scene shortly before tipoff. During the playing of the national anthem, the Dream roster remained inside the locker room area, while the Fever players lined up directly on the court to observe the traditional pregame ceremony. Among her teammates, Sophie Cunningham drew significant attention from fans and media members by placing her right hand over her heart, standing out as the only player on the floor to execute the conventional gesture of reverence toward the flag.

Sophie Cunningham was the ONLY one from her whole team who stood with her hand over her heart during the National Anthem

The Atlanta Dreams didn’t even bother coming onto the court pic.twitter.com/kj8S0BVwjI

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 18, 2026

Divided fan reactions and online debate

Footage of the moment circulated widely across social media platforms, with observers contrasting Cunningham’s actions with those of other athletes present on the floor. A dedicated segment of fans praised Cunningham for her public display, describing her as a positive role model and a true patriot within the professional women’s basketball landscape. Conversely, other commentators downplayed the moment entirely, arguing that proper anthem etiquette simply requires standing quietly and respectfully, thereby viewing the surrounding online debate as an overblown reaction to an ordinary gesture.

Legal protocol guidelines and Cunningham’s media profile

Under Title 36 of the United States Code regarding national anthem etiquette, individuals are instructed to face the flag with their right hand over their heart, though athlete compliance in professional sports frequently varies depending on personal preference. The focused attention on Cunningham comes during a period of heightened public profile following her explicit comments regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s sports categories. This ongoing series of public statements has elevated her visibility across national media outlets, turning her into one of the most widely discussed figures across the entire league today.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Hodgetwins (@hodgetwins)

Arena security incidents and league statements

The atmosphere inside State Farm Arena included further tension in the stands when security personnel intervened during the game regarding spectator attire. Security officers instructed two fans to cover up t shirts that displayed messages expressing direct agreement with Cunningham’s socio political positions. The incident prompted swift reactions from league organizers, leading both the WNBA and the Atlanta Dream to issue follow up statements clarifying that the security team acted improperly and asserting that the forced cover up should not have occurred under standard arena guidelines.

 

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Una publicación compartida por The Other Side (@tosglobalx)

Cover photos from: @sophie_cham