DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - With controversy swirling around the Dallas Mavericks and their stance on the national anthem, the city's hockey team wants everyone to know where they stand on the matter.
The Dallas Stars put out a statement on Wednesday afternoon, saying they support the anthem being played before games.
"The playing of the National Anthem is a time-honored tradition and the Dallas Stars will continue to perform the Star-Spangled Banner prior to our games at American Airlines Center. As the only national hockey league team in Texas, we are proud to represent our state and our country."
Mark Cuban and the Mavericks made the decision to forgo playing the anthem and hadn't played it at any of the team's first 13 home games. However, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stepped in and announced Wednesday that "all NBA teams will play the national anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy."
Following Silver's statement on the anthem, Cuban responded to the commissioner's decision, telling the New York Times that "We (the Mavs) are good with it."
Cuban also released his own statement on the commissioner's ruling, indicating his stance on the decision.
"We respect and always have respected the passion people have for the anthem and our country," Cuban said. "I have always stood for the anthem with the hand over my heart - no matter where I hear it played. But we also hear the voices of those who do not feel the anthem represents them. We feel they also need to be respected and heard, because they have not been respected and heard."
"The hope is that those who feel passionate about the anthem being played will be just as passionate in listening to those who do not feel it represents them."