SportsTHE LATEST
Latest: WNBA anthem, Abbott race, Khalil, Commanders
Both teams left the floor less than a minute before the anthem and returned seconds after it ended; the WNBA rulebook says players should stand.
Watch it as it aired: Kenji Moonfield, Vera Bullock and Chip Darnell on this story, from Late Night BBN at 10:01 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are New York Post's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance
- First reported by New York Post: “Valkyries and Dream ditch National Anthem for second game in a row during WNBA Finals”, with reporting from Washington Examiner, The Washington Times and Yahoo Sports.
- Covered on BBN on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 10:01 PM ET on Late Night BBN, by Kenji Moonfield, Vera Bullock and Chip Darnell.
- Topics: Valkyries, WNBA Finals, Commanders.
- BBN covered this story before: Val Chmerkovskiy suspension, Terry McLaurin injury, Barbara Palvin's… (October 19).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- New York PostValkyries and Dream ditch National Anthem for second game in a row during WNBA Finals
- Washington ExaminerGreg Abbott, seeking historic fourth term, stares down most competitive race yet: ‘It’s like playing an away game’
- The Washington TimesActivist Mahmoud Khalil asks Supreme Court to let U.S. judges quickly reverse immigration detentions
- Yahoo SportsDan Quinn didn’t know it was 4th down on bizarre Jayden Daniels throwaway during Commanders-49ers
What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHere is the latest.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe Valkyries and the Dream left the floor again before the anthem in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, and the league has not answered questions about its rule that players stand.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorOutKick says both teams were back seconds after the final note, which is the most punctual protest I have ever seen.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTexas Governor Greg Abbott is chasing a fourth term and told the Washington Examiner the race feels like playing an away game. A YouGov poll had Gina Hinojosa up forty-eight to forty-seven.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAn away game in his own state. I'd call that a home-field adjustment period.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorActivist Mahmoud Khalil asked the Supreme Court tonight to let federal judges quickly review immigration detentions.

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorHe spent one hundred four days in an ICE prison before a judge ordered him released.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentAnd in the NFL, Commanders coach Dan Quinn apparently did not know it was fourth down when Jayden Daniels threw the ball away.

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThird down, fourth down, it's all just down. Very supportive energy from the coach.
More Shorts
All videos →The story so far
- Valkyries top Dream in WNBA Finals opener; Ohio State survives Indiana · Fox News
- Angel Reese doesn't give props to Valkyries defense after Game 1 · New York Post
- Commanders rule four injured players out vs 49ers on Monday night · Yahoo Sports
- 49ers star Trent Williams admits he forgot he played for Commanders · New York Post
- Commanders-49ers on MNF, palace chatter, iPhone spyware, Ohio State · Yahoo Sports
- Val Chmerkovskiy suspension, Terry McLaurin injury, Barbara Palvin's… · Yahoo Sports
- Latest: WNBA anthem, Abbott race, Khalil, Commanders (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Monday, October 19, 2026 · the Sports archive · all months


Photo: Frenchieinportland · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Maryland GovPics · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A.… · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Adam Jakubiak · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Christopher Patterson · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0