Despite the recent suspension of trade tariffs between Canada and the U.S., Canadian sports fans continue to boo the national anthem of the U.S. before NBA and NHL games. Protests in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal point to residual tensions over economic and political disputes.
The protest first entered the mainstream view last month when the fans of the Toronto Raptors were vocally booing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. Despite the Biden administration announcing the temporary suspension of these tariffs during negotiations, the jeering during sporting events has not stopped.
“We appreciate the government for trying to mitigate the trade tensions, but too late for that,’ said Montreal Canadiens season ticket holder Daniel Tremblay. “Canadians are fed up with being unfairly treated across trade deal lines, and this is our way of making our protest heard.”
Despite the controversies surrounding this issue, some Canadian officials and team executives have called on fans to be respectful while the anthem is played. Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković talked about this after a recent home game, stating, “Sports should bring people together, not separate them. We fully understand that there are political frustrations, we just ask our fans to show respect while both national anthems are played.”
The American players and coaches have largely downplayed the anthem protests, although some have acknowledged the turbulence underneath. “You can’t take this personally,” said New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba. “It’s rivalries and we are here just to play hockey.”
Although the NHL/NBA have not taken any official steps relating to the anthem disruptions, some league officials are said to be paying close attention to the ongoing saga. Some Canadian fans argue that this is free expression; others warn that this behavior threatens the spirit of international sportsmanship.
With trade negotiations ongoing, it will be interesting to see if the booing during the anthem stops, or continue being a way to express their displeasure regarding happenings in Canada. Meanwhile, the anthem protests serve as a reminder that in the world of sports, sport, and politics often flow together, particularly in tough economic circumstances.
At a recent game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers, the jeering was immediately audible during the playing of the American anthem. There have been multiple similar instances during NHL games between Canadian and U.S. teams, with fans using the pregame tradition to voice their protest.
