Mark Cuban confirms national anthem won't be played before Mavericks' home games

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has banned the national anthem from being played before the franchise's home games, he confirmed to The Athletic's Tim Cato. 

The Mavericks have not played the national anthem before any of their home games this season. Dallas had not previously announced the decision and did not comment further on the matter, Cato says. 

When NBA players put an increased focus on social justice issues while playing at the Walt Disney World bubble, Cuban became one of their biggest supporters. He previously expected his team to stand during the national anthem before pivoting. 

The Mavericks are the only known team to stop playing the national anthem before games this season. It's unclear if any franchises will choose to follow. It's also unclear if the Mavericks will return to playing the anthem. 

Many players have opted to kneel during the anthem in solidarity with the social justice movement.