The NBA is maintaining its requirement to stand for the national anthem

According to a memo issued from the NBA deputy commissioner, NBA players and teams will continue to be required to stand during the national anthem.

Protests during the national anthem against racial inequality and police brutality have caused tsunami-like waves across all news over the last several weeks, and the NBA front office is taking steps to inform teams and players of the rules that govern such actions.

According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the NBA issued a memo to all 30 teams, reminding them that NBA rules dictate players and coaches stand during the national anthem. The memo also provided suggestions for alternative methods of protesting or showing solidarity.

Here’s further details from Lowe:

"The memo states that individual teams “do not have the discretion to waive” the rule that players, coaches and staff stand for the anthem. The league has the discretion to discipline players who violate the rule. It is not clear if the league would exercise it in the event of any protest. The league also does not want teams independently disciplining players, sources say, and has encouraged open dialogue within teams."

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This memo comes at the heels of unified national anthem protests during the WNBA Finals. The Los Angeles Sparks elected to leave the floor during the national anthem for both Game 1 and Game 2 of the Finals, and they will likely continue the protest throughout the series.

The WNBA has been involved with protests against police brutality for years, most notably when members of the Indiana Fever, New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury were fined back in July of 2016 for wearing “I can’t breathe” T-shirts during pre-game warmups.

Former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem as a protest against police brutality and racial injustice last season, and he, as well as those following in his footsteps, have found support among many in the professional sports community. They have also been criticized by many, including the President of the United States.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver also expressed in a recent press conference that he hopes all players and coaches will stand during the anthem.

Next: Glenn Robinson III out for at least two months

After witnessing the actions of NFL players over the last several weeks, it seems unlikely that that will be the case.