Anthems were not played regularly before sporting events until WWII (although plays and musical presentations in Victorian England would conclude with "God Save the Queen"). I can't imagine circumstances under which they will no longer be played. And anyway, sports ARE ritualized warfare. Might as well initiate them with homage to Nationalism - the root of warfare since 1789. Greg Somerville Let's Go Red! Let's Go Islanders! (Thank you Brian Leetch...)