After a national anthem singer kneeled during a while singing ahead of a Miami Heat-76ers tilt, the Philadelphia opted to get ahead of the curve, disallowing a singer wearing a "We Matter" jersey to perform the team's national anthem.
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Was suppose to sing the anthem at @sixers & @okcthunder game but mins b4 @sixers said I couldn't because I was wearing a "We Matter" jersey pic.twitter.com/wjoJN3rq0r
— Sevyn (@sevyn) October 27, 2016
Later, reports noted Sevyn's contract prohibited her from making political statements, thus the 76ers pulling her from the event:
SOURCE: Artist @sevyn signed a contract that prohibited political statements. Sixers offered alternate shirt and song, but she refused.
— Jan Carabeo (@JanCarabeoCBS3) October 27, 2016
As Pro Basketball Talk questions, if the singer would have worn a "Support the troops" shirt (which would be considered a political message) would the 76ers have even considered pulling her?
It poses an interesting question, but at the end of the day, the Philadelphia organization makes the call, and they didn't want a repeat of singers kneeling during the anthem.
In recent weeks, teams have had entire football seasons cancelled over national anthem protests.
It also comes on the heels of fans in Buffalo making controversial shirts with crosshairs on Colin Kaepernick's face, called him a "Muslim" and booing the quarterback while he kneeled.
There has been plenty of controversy surrounding the national anthem protests, started by Kaepernick to take a stand against the oppression of "black people and people of color."
The movement has shifted throughout the sports world, with some high school athletes laying on their backs with hands up and college athletes receiving alleged death threats. The latest lashing out against people protesting the national anthem ended up with fans booing the home team ECU band.
NBA star LeBron James and Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton are among athletes who have yet to, and by all accounts won't protest the national anthem.
