Mavericks owner Mark Cuban: 'I'd join' players kneeling during anthem

Following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man who died while in Minneapolis police custody on May 25 after a white officer kneeled on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes, athletes from the United States and around the world have embraced the protest movement made famous by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016. 

Cuban told ESPN:

"If they were taking a knee and they were being respectful, I'd be proud of them. Hopefully I'd join them, because I think we've learned a lot from 2017 (when Cuban said he and Dallas players would stand during the "Star-Spangled Banner"). I think we've evolved as a country. And this is really a unique point in time where we can grow as a society, we can grow as a country, and become far more inclusive, and become far more aware of the challenges that minority communities go through. So, I'll stand in unison with our players, whatever they choose to do. But again, when our players in the NBA do what's in their heart, when they do what they feel represents who they are and look to move this country forward when it comes to race relationships, I think that's a beautiful thing and I'll be proud of them."

Feelings about athletes kneeling during national anthems have changed dramatically since Floyd's death. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees apologized for suggesting kneeling disrespects the country and the American flag, and recent poll shows the majority of Americans support those who kneel.  

The United States Soccer Federation reversed a policy that threatened bans for players who didn't stand during the anthem. USSF also apologized for that law. 

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he'd support an NFL team signing Kaepernick.