Dream owners criticize noon WNBA Finals start
The Atlanta Dream ownership group wrote to fans after the league scheduled the must-win decider for a midday slot due to venue conflicts.
By Beatriz Soto ·
The Atlanta Dream will play Game 6 of the WNBA Finals at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at State Farm Arena. The ownership group sent an open letter to the city and fans on Tuesday to address the time change. They stated that the midday start was not their choice and reflected earlier scheduling issues that went unaddressed.
The Dream’s home venue, Gateway Center Arena, seats only 3,500 fans. Because the team has advanced to the Finals, all five of their postseason games have been held at State Farm Arena, which holds 17,000 spectators. The venue change was necessary to accommodate the larger crowd expected for the final series.
Scheduling conflicts with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks forced several adjustments earlier in the series. A Sombr concert and a Hawks game required moving Game 3 from Oct. 22 to Oct. 21. Game 4 was moved to 1 p.m. ET to allow for a Hawks doubleheader against the Houston Rockets.
This week presents new logistical hurdles. The Hawks are scheduled to play at home on both Wednesday and Thursday. To fit Game 6 into the larger arena, the league selected the afternoon slot. The Hawks’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers has been pushed to 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, requiring a rapid venue turnover if the Dream win and clinch the championship.
In the letter, ownership members Larry, Robyn, Suzanne, and Renee wrote that the team has earned the right to be taken seriously. They noted that concerns about schedule conflicts were raised two months ago when playoff dates were finalized. The group claimed these issues did not receive the urgency they deserved.
The ownership group expressed gratitude to the Hawks and State Farm Arena for adjusting their schedules three times during the playoffs. They acknowledged the difficulty of playing a workday afternoon game but emphasized that the city’s support is vital. If the Valkyries win the title, reports indicate the on-court celebration may move to a practice gym to allow time for arena cleanup before the Hawks’ evening game.
