Booing of The Star-Spangled Banner reignites debate on national anthems in sports

It's been a decades-long tradition in North America, but a Canadian professor of sport management says it might be time to re-examine the legitimacy of national anthems being played before games.

Last weekend, sports fans in Canada voiced their displeasure with U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement he was raising tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports by 25 per cent. In hockey and basketball arenas across the country, they roundly booed the American national anthem before games.

On Monday, Trump agreed to pause the tariffs for one month. That night, Nashville, Tenn., fans returned the favour before the Predators lost to Ottawa 5-2.

On Tuesday, boos continued before NHL games in Vancouver and Winnipeg as well as Toronto's Scotiabank Arena before the Raptors-New York Knicks contest.

The US anthem gets booed at the Raptors game. Never seen this before. <a href="https://t.co/HDipiMs9fW">pic.twitter.com/HDipiMs9fW</a>

The spectator angst created headlines worldwide. And it reignited the long-standing debate of whether anthems belong in North American sport.

"That's a great question, it's definitely timely and topical," said Michael Naraine, an associate professor at Brock University. "I do think it's time we look at, 'Do we need to play the national anthem before a game?"'

While the anthem firestorm is smouldering, it could rage again Feb. 15 when Canada and U.S. meet in Montreal at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

WATCH l Canucks fans boo American national anthem on Sunday:

Vancouver Canucks fans boo U.S. national anthem

Both anthems have been performed before games for decades, starting as a gesture of solidarity for the troops fighting alongside one another during the Second World War. But singing The