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'Toxic cocktail' of renter protections destroyed $39M affordable housing investment as Dem cities follow suit
Seattle's effort to protect renters allegedly helped destroy a $39 million investment meant to provide affordable housing, sending a 254-unit apartment complex that served lower-income residents into receivership. Now, its owners have scored a court victory in a battle that could influence similar fights in Philadelphia and other Democrat-led cities.
The Washington Court of Appeals ruled Monday that GRE Downtowner LLC, the company behind Seattle's 254-unit Addison on Fourth affordable housing development, can proceed with claims that the city's sweeping rental regulations amounted to an unconstitutional taking of private property. GRE alleges the restrictions, including an ordinance requiring landlords to accommodate certain additional occupants without their consent, sent rent collections plummeting, triggered millions in losses and ultimately made the once-viable affordable housing investment financially unsustainable.
The development operated under the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, which offers tax incentives to private investors in exchange for providing rent-restricted apartments to lower-income residents. Sean Flynn, executive director of the Rental Housing Association of Washington, explained that while such developments typically generate relatively modest profits, the federal tax credits make them financially attractive to investors, helping bring private money into affordable housing projects that might otherwise struggle to get built.
Flynn, who is working with GRE Downtowner in its case against the City of Seattle, told Fox News Digital that the city's successive ordinances targeting landlords ultimately created a "toxic cocktail of legislation" that took a functioning affordable housing property and "destroyed it."
According to court filings, GRE's investment initially proved financially viable, with the property generating positive cash flow from 2015 through 2018. But as Seattle enacted a series of ordinances restricting criminal-background checks, expanding tenants' ability to bring additional occupants into their apartments, limiting certain evictions and requiring relocation assistance following qualifying rent increases, GRE alleges its rent collections collapsed from 93.9% in 2018 to just 44.1% in 2023, contributing to nearly $5.8 million in cumulative operating losses.
The financial deterioration ultimately culminated in a federal judge appointing a receiver in January 2026 to take control of the property following a mortgage default.
"The policies they're passing are detrimental to the folks they're actually trying to help," Flynn warned, arguing that excessive restrictions on landlords ultimately hurt renters by discouraging housing investment. "No one will invest to build more housing if they believe that the government can come in and effectuate a taking – to take the property out from under them – and they have no legal recourse."
"What this decision says is government, you can regulate, you can regulate to your heart's content," Flynn added. "But if your regulations amount to the point of which you take my real property, I'm allowed to sue you for it."
Ilya Somin, a George Mason University law professor specializing in constitutional law and property rights, told Fox News Digital that the ruling is more consequential than a routine procedural decision but cautioned against overstating its broader impact.
"This is only moderately significant, but it's more significant than just a routine legal decision that only affects the people immediately involved," Somin said, explaining that courts in other states could consider the Washington ruling when weighing similar constitutional challenges. He also said the case could theoretically go to the U.S. Supreme Court, but said that was fairly unlikely.
Seattle is hardly alone in imposing sweeping restrictions on landlords. San Francisco has long enforced rent controls and limits on evictions, and New York City expanded eviction protections in 2024 under the state's Good Cause Eviction law, limiting landlords' ability to remove certain tenants or refuse lease renewals while allowing renters to challenge excessive rent increases. Portland, Oregon, limits landlords' use of criminal histories when screening prospective tenants and requires relocation payments following certain rent increases of 10% or more. Philadelphia has also adopted restrictions involving criminal-history screening. These policies reflect a broader push to strengthen renters' rights in major Democrat-led cities, even as property owners raise concerns about the consequences of increasingly restrictive housing regulations.
OBAMA-ERA MANDATE SLASHED AFTER BEING BLAMED FOR 'SKYROCKETING' HOUSING COSTS
Flynn warned that the consequences of Seattle's housing policies extend well beyond Addison on Fourth, arguing that mounting restrictions have driven developers and smaller landlords away from Seattle — a city once bustling with residential construction.
"Once upon a time in Seattle, you could stand from my office and you could see crane after crane after crane building housing," Flynn said. "They're gone, and they're not coming back."
Flynn argued that the resulting decline in investment ultimately hurts ordinary renters, leaving them with fewer housing options and higher costs.
"When you take the investment incentive out of providing a product, you get worse products at a higher cost," he said. "Investors listen and they vote with their feet. And as a result, there's less housing and the housing that is available is of lesser quality."
GRE's lawsuit seeks compensation under a legal principle known as inverse condemnation, which allows property owners to pursue payment when they believe government actions have effectively taken or damaged their property without providing just compensation. GRE argues that Seattle's ordinances, individually and collectively, went so far in restricting its property rights that the city should be held financially responsible for the resulting losses.
The Seattle City Attorney's Office told Fox News Digital that officials are reviewing the appellate ruling and weighing their next steps. "We haven't made a decision on an appeal yet," Chief of Staff Dan Nolte said in an email Thursday.
"I believe the plaintiffs in this case deserve to win at least on that roommate provision," Somin told Fox News Digital, referring to Seattle's restrictions on landlords' ability to exclude certain additional occupants from rental properties.
Somin pointed to the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid , which ruled that a California regulation requiring agricultural employers to allow union organizers onto their private property constituted a physical taking under the Fifth Amendment. He argued that Seattle's Roommate Ordinance raises a similar constitutional question because it requires landlords to accommodate additional occupants with whom they never entered into a rental agreement.
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"I think the strongest per se argument is simply an argument against this provision of the ordinance, which says they have to take these people who they never made any contract with at all, never screened, and so on," Somin said. "The additional requirement to let them on their land is going beyond what's in the contract, and the same thing you know would apply here in the Seattle case."
Ohio State's national title hopes are rightfully fading after USC delivers reality check in shocking upset
If the Big Ten was resting their hopes on Ohio State being able to put together an offense capable of contending for a national championship, then Saturday night's 30-18 loss to USC was a reality check on the current situation.
Following the unfortunate loss of starting quarterback Julian Sayin to an elbow injury during the Indiana game two weeks ago, the fate of the Buckeyes season rested on the arms of Luke Fahey and freshman Taven St. Clair.
The nervousness around Columbus has been rampant since that day in Bloomington, and rightfully so given that Ryan Day had pinned his offensive hopes around the quarterback being able to disrupt opposing defenses with the Julian Sayin to Jeremiah Smith connection.
This pair opened up so many options for an offense that essentially forced opposing teams to decide on whether double-teaming the star wide receiver was worth the risk in losing a defender in the secondary.
Even with 484 yards of total offense against USC on Saturday night, it was the offensive line that struggled to protect quarterback Luke Fahey, while also not capitalizing inside the red zone.
You might ask whether one player is worth that much attention. To that, most college football fans would just implore you to "watch the tape" on the former Heisman Trophy leader coming out of the Indiana showdown that saw the Buckeyes leave Bloomington with a very important win.
Now, a few weeks later, there are rightful questions about this Ohio State team moving forward over the next month, along with where the Big Ten stands as we await the first CFP rankings of the 2026 season.
The answer to that question centered around the fact Ohio State had not scored a touchdown against USC through three quarters, and they looked like a squad who was lost on offense for a majority of this upset loss.
OHIO STATE QB JULIAN SAYIN'S INJURY MAY COMPLETELY RESHAPE THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RACE
No, not right now after two weeks of preparation for the trip to Los Angeles.
If anything, the Buckeyes look like a team that would be on the brink of missing the playoff tonight if Indiana were to have somehow won that intense showdown.
So yes, Ohio State fans are clearly entering the panic mode of what could have been if Julian Sayin were to not have been injured.
Also, let's not forget the other unfortunate part of this problem for the Buckeyes. Entering the matchup with Indiana, Jeremiah Smith was the proverbial leader in the clubhouse for the Heisman Trophy. Now, he's going to need plenty of superman-like efforts to have his name called in New York City next month, without a quarterback capable enough to get him the ball downfield.
Sure, we know Smith is a man of high character and is more worried about the wins and losses. But, let's not act as though the situation isn’t a brutal dose of reality that his campaign might have ended in Bloomington.
Fittingly, it was Jeremiah Smith who scored Ohio State's first touchdown of the night with 2:12 remaining in the game on a five-yard out in the end zone.
As for Ohio State moving forward, there is nothing about their performance against USC that should give the CFP committee enough evidence to put them in the top-12 on Tuesday night.
We all remember when Florida State was left out of the national championship game after Jordan Travis went down with a knee injury, right?
No, we aren’t at that point just yet, but we're getting there. Over the next five weeks, Ohio State will face Northwestern, Oregon, Nebraska and Michigan.
Are we going to act as though this Buckeyes offense is good enough to avoid another loss? Sure, you can make that argument, but Oregon and Northwestern are talented enough to beat them in Columbus, and Nebraska is so awkward that it could have a lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Buckeyes defense isn’t strong enough to carry them through the month of November, especially if this is what they are going to get from the offensive side of the ball.
And unfortunately, Jeremiah Smith and running back Bo Jackson can't do it all without a viable quarterback that oozes confidence.
Give credit where it's due with this USC football team.
Coming off a loss to Wisconsin this week, with reasonable conversations surrounding his job status with the Trojans, the talk of Riley coaching somewhere else next season started picking up enough that he could not avoid the questions over the past five days.
Now, there is at least a path to the postseason, though it won't be an easy one.
After a week off, USC will play Indiana on the road, followed by a game against Maryland, before ending the season with a crosstown showdown with UCLA.
Can they run the table? Sure, if this is the type of performance we get over the next month.
But, even with the win over Ohio State, it's still hard to trust the Trojans. They’re going to have to prove it.
Bill Belichick's UNC Tar Heels nearly upset top-ranked Miami before costly strip-sack
Bill Belichick, the day his UNC Tar Heels were set to face the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes in Chapel Hill, was the center of more off-field noise regarding his relationship.
This time, though, it was reported the 74-year-old actually ended things with 25-year-old Jordon Hudson over a year ago, per TMZ. They remain "committed to their business partnerships" and "remain close friends."
Nonetheless, a game had to be played, and Belichick and UNC were certainly not thinking about his relationship status. They wanted to give Miami a run for their money.
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The Tar Heels came close to upsetting the Hurricanes, but they ran out of gas in the fourth quarter in a 38-35 loss to move to 4-4 on the season. Miami stayed undefeated, improving to 8-0 on the year and 6-0 in ACC play.
No one expected Belichick's squad to be able to handle the Hurricanes, led by Mario Cristobal. But just as Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah continued his efficient play this season, Billy Edwards Jr. was matching him when the Tar Heels had the ball.
Edwards threw for 341 yards on 28-of-34 through the air with four touchdown passes, including a 16-yard strike to Jordan Shipp to take a 21-17 lead — UNC’s first of the game — in the third quarter.
From there, both teams were trading blows, and the lead, on the scoreboard. Miami responded with an 80-yard drive to retake their lead, 24-21, but UNC continued to fight on while crushing clock heading into the fourth quarter.
Edwards led a 16-play, 75-yard drive capped with a touchdown run by Demon June from one yard out. There was a lot of time left in this ballgame, which Miami knew despite some shock of what UNC was doing to them at home.
Mensah wasn’t fazed, though, as yet another touchdown drive came from the Hurricanes thanks to key catch-and-runs, including a 31-yard burst from star receiver Malachi Toney. Mark Fletcher Jr. regained the Miami lead with a two-yard run and 7:49 left on the clock.
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The way this game was going, it seemed Belichick and UNC would have a chance if they were able to get the ball last. However, a grave error slammed the door shut on those chances.
Edwards was strip-sacked by Marquise Lightfoot, and Miami recovered at the UNC 37-yard line. That was the defensive stop needed to swing the tides of momentum, and Mensah didn’t thwart that opportunity.
Toney caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from his quarterback, and with a 10-point lead with 2:33 left to go, it was eventually the separation needed to leave Chapel Hill without Miami’s record being blemished. But it didn’t come without sweating until the end.
UNC would score on the ensuing possession to make things interesting, as Edwards threw for his fourth touchdown of the game with 1:38 left to play. Then, needing to recover an onside kick, the Tar Heels actually came away with it — until a yellow flag was seen on the turf. Offsides was called.
On the second try, UNC recovered again, but another flag negated it as a Tar Heels player hit the Miami player trying to recover the ball before crossing the necessary 10 yards.
The third try was finally recovered by the Hurricanes, and they ran the clock out.
Mensah threw for 274 yards and three scores, while rushing for 36 yards. Toney had two of those touchdowns, hauling in seven receptions for 75 yards. Fletcher also scored three total touchdowns.
BYU survives unranked Arizona State's second-half rally, stays unbeaten at home
Eighth-ranked BYU pulled away after Arizona State rallied to tie the game at 17 late in the third quarter. Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw for 236 yards and a touchdown to help secure the 27-20 victory.
The Cougars blanked the Sun Devils in the fourth quarter. After a 45-yard field goal put BYU ahead for good, running back Sione Moa scored from 1 yard out to seal the victory with just over two minutes remaining.
Arizona State quarterback Jake Fette finished the late afternoon with 166 yards and two touchdowns, but the Sun Devils suffered their third road loss to a top-10 opponent this season.
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Fette threw two third-quarter touchdown passes as Arizona State erased a 14-point deficit. The Sun Devils converted three third downs on their first scoring drive, which ended with Omarion Miller’s 20-yard touchdown catch. They then converted two fourth downs on the next drive before Anthony Miller Jr.’s 1-yard scoring reception tied the game at 17.
Adrian Wilson recovered a fumble by Kyler Kasper at the BYU 39-yard line, setting up Arizona State’s second touchdown drive. It was a turbulent start for Fette in his first career start.
He fumbled on the third play of Arizona State’s opening drive. Isaiah Glasker pounced on the ball at the Sun Devil 29, setting up BYU’s first touchdown.
Ironically, the Cougars scored following another fumble. Moa scooped up the ball after Bachmeier coughed it up inside the ASU 1 and scampered over the goal line to put BYU up 7-0.
Next week, BYU will travel to Salt Lake City for an in-state rivalry game against Utah, while Arizona State will host Colorado in Tempe.
Earlier Saturday, Colorado survived a scare from Kansas State to win in overtime and snap the Buffaloes’ losing streak.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Angel Reese, Atlanta Dream fall short in Game 7 as Golden State Valkyries win first WNBA championship
SAN FRANCISCO – Angel Reese scored one point and did not attempt a field goal in the fourth quarter of Game 7. The Atlanta Dream needed more from her with a championship on the line.
The Golden State Valkyries beat Atlanta 68-63 on Saturday night at Chase Center, winning the best-of-seven WNBA Finals 4-3 to claim the franchise’s first championship.
Reese finished with eight points on 3-for-7 shooting, 12 rebounds and four turnovers. It was her fourth consecutive game with more turnovers than made field goals. Across those four games, she shot 12-for-45 (26.7%) and committed 19 turnovers.
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Golden State guard Gabby Williams delivered the performance Atlanta needed from its star. She was named Finals MVP after scoring 30 points, including 28 in the second half, and blocking four shots in the clincher. Her 31-foot three-pointer with 2:18 remaining broke a 57-57 tie and put Golden State ahead for good.
Reese’s only point in the final period came on a free throw with 18.6 seconds remaining.
Before tipoff, both teams again left the court for the national anthem, completing the seven-game series without appearing on the floor for any of the performances.
WNBA FINALS TEAMS END SEASON WITH ONE FINAL NATIONAL ANTHEM SNUB AS DREAM, VALKYRIES LEAVE COURT
Reese’s Finals had looked much different when Atlanta held a 2-1 series lead.
She combined for 51 points and 28 rebounds in Games 2 and 3, then explained how she believed she was getting into Golden State’s head.
"They’re playing into my mental game where I can take their confidence and just try to do whatever to mess them up," Reese said before Game 4.
The Valkyries won the next two games. Atlanta forced Game 7 with an 80-69 victory Thursday behind Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard’s combined 44 points, but Reese continued to struggle with her shooting, making five of 18 attempts.
She finished the final four games with 38 points, 13 fewer than she scored in Games 2 and 3 combined.
Saturday offered a chance to finish the series differently. Instead, Jordin Canada carried Atlanta’s offense for much of the night, while Reese never became a scoring factor down the stretch.
The Dream went scoreless for the first 5:19 as Golden State built an 8-0 lead. Reese finally put Atlanta on the board with a basket off an offensive rebound.
Atlanta recovered to trail just 14-12 after one quarter, and Reese’s three-pointer early in the second gave the Dream their first lead.
Canada scored 11 points in the second quarter and had 13 at halftime. Golden State went more than eight minutes without a field goal to begin the period, allowing Atlanta to take a 30-24 lead into the break.
Reese had five points, seven rebounds and three turnovers at halftime. Williams had just two points.
The Dream extended their lead to 37-28 midway through the third quarter. Then Williams took over.
She scored Golden State’s final 13 points of the period, including three three-pointers in a 56-second span. Reese answered one of those threes with a hook through contact, but missed the accompanying free throw. It was her last basket of the night.
Williams’ turnaround jumper with 1:05 remaining gave the Valkyries a 45-44 lead entering the fourth. She scored 15 points in the quarter and added 13 more in the final period.
Allisha Gray’s two free throws tied the game at 55 with 3:15 left. Williams answered with a driving layup. Howard tied it again at 57 before Williams buried the three from 31 feet.
After Gray missed a wide-open layup, Williams made two free throws to push Golden State’s lead to five with 1:40 remaining.
Kiah Stokes then delivered on the offensive glass. She rebounded two consecutive Williams misses, converting the second into a putback that stretched the lead to 64-57 with 53.8 seconds left.
Gray’s three-pointer brought Atlanta within four, but Tiffany Hayes answered with two free throws.
Reese grabbed an offensive rebound and drew a foul with 18.6 seconds remaining. She missed the first free throw and made the second, leaving Atlanta down five.
She then stole a Williams pass, and Gray made two free throws to cut the deficit to 66-63 with 10.5 seconds left. Veronica Burton’s two free throws with 5.1 seconds remaining secured the victory.
Stokes finished with eight points, 13 rebounds and two blocks. Burton added 10 points and 11 rebounds, while Hayes scored 11.
Canada led Atlanta with 18 points, and Gray added 16. Howard finished with six points on 3-for-14 shooting, missing all seven of her three-point attempts. The Dream shot 33.3% overall and went 6-for-30 from beyond the arc.
Reese finished the series averaging 14.7 points and 12.9 rebounds while shooting 40.5% from the field.
After Game 3, she had explained how she measures greatness.
"I think you become one of the greats … when you can win and impact winning," Reese said.
She helped put Atlanta two wins from a championship. Across the final four games, she didn't do enough for the Dream to finish the job.
Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne's Halloween costume will enrage anyone tired of rushing through holidays
I hope you had a great Halloween. I know I did, handing out candy to the two trick-or-treaters who stopped at my house.
And to the kids who walked by my house without stopping, the joke is on you: I now have a giant bowl of Twizzlers, Reese's and Jolly Ranchers to shame-eat for the next couple of days.
And plenty of athletes seemed to have a great holiday too, including Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes and his girlfriend Livvy Dunne.
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But their costume choice is alarming for those of us who want to savor Halloween before we start looking not one, but two holidays ahead.
The couple shared photos and video of their costumes: Buddy the Elf of "Elf" fame and a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth's syrup.
It's a solid costume, as Will Ferrell's iconic character is big on syrup, but... CHRISTMAS?!?!
Like, not even Neal Page and Del Griffith from "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" would tell Halloween to pound sand, skip Thanksgiving like some soulless red-headed holiday stepchild and go straight to Christmas.
It kind of reminds me of a Halloween I had a couple of years ago. I was working in my office that afternoon and watching 1933's "The Invisible Man" when I heard my wife digging for something in the closet.
Moments later, she walked out with our Christmas tree and set it up before the Invisible Man even left the Lion's Head Inn.
I'm not a hard-and-fast "Christmas must wait until after-Thanksgiving" guy. I'll hum a Christmas carol or steal a mini candy cane from a bank teller's desk before Thanksgiving Day, but I never go full-Christmas until I awake from my Thanksgiving food coma.
Not Skenes and Dunne, though. They’re already in Christmas mode while people across the country are still dressing as the woman from "Obsession," donning inflatable Minion costumes and waiting to take their first Halloween Jell-O shot.
I mean, great costume work, but let's savor Halloween before we have to start thinking about buying everyone in our family Amazon gift cards.
NYC woman critically injured after being stabbed multiple times while jogging along Brooklyn waterfront
A 28-year-old woman was critically injured after being stabbed multiple times in the neck while jogging along a Brooklyn waterfront path Friday night, New York City police confirmed to Fox News Digital.
The attack occurred around 8 p.m. near Shore Parkway and Bay 17th Street in Brooklyn's Bath Beach neighborhood, according to the New York Police Department.
Police said the woman was jogging eastbound along the Shore Parkway Greenway when she suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck.
Emergency medical personnel transported her to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn in critical condition.
An NYPD spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital on Saturday that the woman remained alive.
Police have not released her identity, and investigators have not identified a suspect, the spokesperson said.
The New York Post reported that the woman had been training for Sunday's New York City Marathon, citing police sources.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, New York Road Runners (NYRR), which organizes the marathon, expressed sympathy for the victim and her family.
GEORGIA JOGGER RUNS FOR HER LIFE AFTER STRANGER ALLEGEDLY TRIES TO MOW HER DOWN 3 TIMES
"We were sad to hear of this horrible attack—our hearts are with her family and the running community," the organization said.
NYRR also said its records show the woman had previously participated in its races but could not confirm whether she planned to run in Sunday's marathon.
It was not immediately clear what led up to the attack or whether the victim knew her attacker.
The attack occurred along a section of the waterfront path overlooking Gravesend Bay, with views of Staten Island and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, the Post reported.
Police are asking the public for help as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip through the department's Crime Stoppers website. All tips are confidential.
Indiana survives Minnesota scare with second straight overtime win to keep national title defense alive
The fourth-ranked Indiana Hoosiers escaped again on Saturday.
The defending national champions were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief after a 23-16 overtime victory over unranked Minnesota in its second consecutive overtime game. Last week, the Hoosiers won 13-6 at Michigan.
INDIANA OUTLASTS MICHIGAN IN OVERTIME FOR FIRST WIN AT BIG HOUSE SINCE 1967
This week, backup quarterback Grant Wilson found Charlie Becker for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play of the extra period. The Hoosiers then stopped Minnesota on its ensuing possession.
The Golden Gophers took a 16-13 lead with 19 seconds to go on Luke Drzewiecki’s career-long 60-yard field goal. But Charlie Becker’s 33-yard catch set up Paddy McAteer for a career-long 60-yarder to tie it as time expired.
Minnesota fell to 0-13 against defending national champs and still has not beaten Top 25 opponents in back-to-back weeks since 1956.
Indiana pulled struggling starting quarterback Josh Hoover at halftime after he took a big hit on his second interception of the season. Two late replay reviews then overturned potential game-changing plays: one erased a go-ahead touchdown pass, while the other nullified an interception that would have put Indiana deep in Minnesota territory in the final minutes.
INDIANA SURVIVES NEBRASKA IN COMEBACK WIN, EXTENDS NATION'S LONGEST ACTIVE WINNING STREAK
Wilson finished with 156 passing yards and a touchdown after Hoover recorded 119 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Becker caught eight passes for 149 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey completed 20 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown. Javon Tracy had seven receptions for 40 yards.
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Minnesota will host No. 7 UCLA next Saturday, while Indiana will have a bye before hosting Southern California on Nov. 14.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
WNBA Finals teams end season with one final national anthem snub as Dream, Valkyries leave court
SAN FRANCISCO – The WNBA Finals went the full seven games. And the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries stayed off the court for the national anthem before every one of them.
Both teams left the floor before Saturday night’s deciding game at Chase Center, completing a series-long pattern that continued despite criticism and repeated questions about why their pregame routines take them off the court during the performance.
Saturday’s anthem was performed by San Francisco’s Glide Ensemble. The choir’s website describes its music as "steeped in protest and visions of a more just and loving world" and says it spreads a message of "diversity, acceptance and love."
Not even a radically left-wing church choir could get the players to stand on the court for two minutes during the anthem.
WNBA PLAYERS, COACHES REFUSE TO EXPLAIN NATIONAL ANTHEM ABSENCES AMID MOUNTING CRITICISM
The league’s first Game 7 came after Atlanta’s 80–69 victory Thursday evened the series at 3–3.
Saturday’s winner will claim its franchise’s first WNBA championship.
Two weeks after OutKick first asked why the teams were leaving the floor for the anthem, the WNBA, NBA and both teams’ front offices still have not answered our questions. Players and coaches have pointed to their pregame routines.
The performers and venues changed. The teams’ absence from the court did not.
Alanis Morissette sang before Game 2 at Chase Center. On Thursday in Atlanta, 10-year-old Heiress Harris, the daughter of rapper T.I., performed before Game 6. Both teams were off the floor for those performances.
When OutKick finally had an opportunity to question players and coaches directly at media availability in Atlanta on Oct. 23, Golden State coach Natalie Nakase said the practice was part of pregame.
"We’re two years in," Nakase said. "That’s been part of our pregame."
Asked who established the routine and why, Nakase said, "I really don’t know."
"I understand your question," she added. "I’m not trying to, you know, not answer your question. It’s just part of our pregame."
OutKick followed up: "What do you do during those 90 seconds that you’re off the court?"
"I’m with my staff, so I’m focused on my plays," Nakase said.
Golden State’s public relations staff then moved to the next reporter. OutKick did not get an opportunity to ask why those preparations needed to happen during the anthem rather than before or afterward.
Valkyries forward Gabby Williams denied that Golden State’s absence was a protest.
"No," Williams said.
Asked why the team was off the court, she responded: "That’s been the routine for like, seven years now."
A Valkyries public relations representative then said, "Next question."
Golden State is in its second season. Williams previously played for Chicago and Seattle, but did not explain whether each team followed the same routine.
OUTKICK READERS BLAST WNBA PLAYERS FOR HIDING DURING FINALS NATIONAL ANTHEM
Atlanta coach Karl Smesko offered less detail when asked why his team left the court and whose decision it was.
"We’re just kind of focused on the Finals," Smesko said.
Asked whether he had any further comment about the anthem and his team’s absences, he said, "No."
Dream guard Rhyne Howard was asked about calls to exclude players from Team USA over their anthem conduct during the WNBA season.
"I don’t think I’ve been on the floor for the national anthem for any of my tenure in Atlanta, so if that’s what people are gonna look to nitpick for then so be it," Howard said.
"But as far as competing for your team, when I go put on USA jersey I’m out for the national anthem every time, there’s no doubt about it."
"Yes, I love the country that I play for and I love what we have here," she added.
When OutKick asked why she was not on the court for the anthem with the Dream, Howard and an Atlanta public relations representative both responded, "Next question."
VANCE CONDEMNS 'DISGRACEFUL' WNBA NATIONAL ANTHEM WALKOUTS, SAYS PLAYERS SHOULD SHOW MORE GRATITUDE
Fans who spoke with OutKick outside State Farm Arena before Game 6 disagreed about whether the players should be on the floor.
Renard Hayes, the father of Golden State guard Tiffany Hayes, pointed to his own military service while defending the players’ choice.
"This is America, by the way, and I’ve served this country, so they can choose what they want," he said.
"I don’t have an issue with it because it’s not a disrespect of the flag," Hayes added.
A male Valkyries fan said he respected the players’ opinions and beliefs but wanted them on the court.
"I do think they should be out there," he said.
Another Dream fan defended the practice: "They’ve been doing it for years. And that’s their choice. It is what it is."
The WNBA’s 2026 official rulebook says players, coaches and trainers are to "stand and line up in a dignified posture" along the sidelines or on the foul line during the national anthem.
The Associated Press reported Oct. 20 that the league suspended its anthem protocols in 2017. The provision remains in the 2026 rulebook.
OutKick has asked the WNBA to clarify its current requirements and enforcement, whether discipline was planned or under consideration, and whether the league had communicated instructions to either team.
The inquiries to the WNBA, Dream and Valkyries began after Game 1 on Oct. 17, with follow-ups Oct. 18 and Oct. 20. OutKick also contacted the NBA league office on Oct. 20 about its role in the matter.
The Oct. 23 interviews were OutKick’s first opportunity to put the anthem questions directly to players and coaches after attending all 13 formal press conferences during the first three games without being called on.
OutKick also asked Atlanta to confirm an arena employee’s account that Dream players stand in a hallway after leaving the floor before games, including whether they remain there during the anthem. The team did not respond.
During Game 4, I attempted to observe what Atlanta’s players do after leaving the court. Arena staff said my credential did not grant access to that area and escorted me to my assigned media seat.
One team will leave Saturday night with a championship. Both will finish the season having stayed off the court for every national anthem in the Finals.
Patriots lose AJ Brown to injury again, rule out other offensive players ahead of matchup with division rival
New England’s offense will be shorthanded Sunday, with three players ruled out for the Patriots divisional game against the Miami Dolphins.
The Patriots ruled out wide receiver A.J. Brown because of ankle and knee injuries, running back TreVeyon Henderson because of an illness and offensive tackle Marcus Bryant because of an ankle injury.
All three players had been listed as questionable before being ruled out. For Brown, the setback comes after he injured his ankle in the season opener and spent the next four games on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain. He returned to play in each of the past two games.
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Brown appeared to suffer the injury while attempting to make a catch at Lumen Field against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 9 during the NFL’s first regular-season game played on a Wednesday. The matchup was billed as a rematch of Super Bowl LX, which Seattle won in February by defeating New England 29-10 to claim the franchise’s second Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Brown went down after a Seahawks defender rolled into him and remained on the field after the play. After medical personnel tended to Brown on the field, he made his way to the sideline without assistance. He was later ruled out for the remainder of the game because of what was described as an ankle injury. He finished that night with three catches for 26 yards.
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After an uneven 2025 season for both Brown and the Eagles' offense, Philadelphia traded him to the Patriots for a pair of future draft picks amid signs that his once-close friendship and productive on-field partnership with quarterback Jalen Hurts had deteriorated.
The Week 8 matchup with the Dolphins will be Henderson’s second missed game this season. He sat out the season opener with an ankle injury
Bryant has been on injured reserve through the season, but was designated to return and was a full participant in practice all week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.