Kim Mulkey Claims LSU Anthem Snub Not 'Intentionally Done,' Just Part Of 'Routine'

ALBANY, NY – Prior to one of the most highly-anticipated women's basketball games of all-time, both the LSU Tigers and the Iowa Hawkeyes spent time on their usual pre-game routines. 

Players came on and off the court at different times, taking shots and stretching.

Part of the Iowa Hawkeyes routine included remaining on the court during the playing of the United States National Anthem. The players held hands while the song rang out through MVP Arena. 

Noticeably absent, though, were the LSU Tigers. LSU players left the court prior to the playing of the anthem and did not return until shortly before pre-game introductions. 

After the game, I asked LSU head coach Kim Mulkey if leaving the court prior to the playing of the national anthem was a conscious decision on her part. 

"Honestly, I don't even know when the anthem was played," Mulkey responded. "We kind of have a routine when [our players are] on the floor, and they come off at the 12-minute mark [prior to the game]. 

"I don't know, we come in and we do our pregame stuff. I'm sorry, listen, that's nothing intentionally done." 

After Mulkey left the podium, a media member approached me. 

"You know they never stay on the court for the anthem, right?" he asked, quite snidely, as if that somehow meant we should all accept that without question. 

I did know that because I looked it up after I noticed that they weren't on the court prior to the game against Iowa. But, what I also noticed is that no media member seems to have ever asked Mulkey why her team doesn't stay on the court for the national anthem. 

Clearly, based on the reaction from the post on X (formerly Twitter), people are interested in why LSU elects not to be on the court. 

LSU Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey looks on in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the finals of the Albany Regional in the 2024 NCAA Tournament at MVP Arena. 

(Gregory Fisher/USA TODAY Sports)

And, by the way, another media member whispered to me so as not to be heard by the rest of the room, "I thought it was weird they weren't out there, too." 

Look, LSU pays Kim Mulkey to win basketball games. It's her job to get her players in the best physical and mental shape to play basketball, whether that's during the week, in the off-season or on game day. 

Clearly, Mulkey believes that the best thing for her team is a pre-game routine that does not include standing on the court for the U.S. National Anthem. 

America is a free country, she's free to make that decision for her team. Just as people are free to criticize that decision.