Atlanta Dream Surge to Top As WNBA’s Lone Independent Power

The Atlanta Dream have quietly become one of the WNBA’s biggest success stories.

The franchise moved to second in the standings following a win over the Seattle Storm and a New York Liberty loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Wednesday. The Dream (21–11) have won six in a row, are 8–2 since the All-Star break, and are on pace to finish with the second-best regular-season record in franchise history.

Through 32 games, Atlanta has already surpassed its 2024 win total by six. The Los Angeles Sparks, who were last in the league in 2024, are the only other team so far to exceed their win total from last year.

The Dream’s turnaround comes after major offseason moves. They hired former FGCU coach Karl Smesko, an offensive mastermind who has catapulted their offense from last to No. 2.

They also signed veteran All-Stars Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones to supplement their wing core of Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray—who has become one of the league’s most efficient and durable stars.

Fighting for Independence

However, a quick look at the standings shows how the Dream are swimming with the sharks.

Atlanta is the only WNBA team with a record above .500 that is independently owned, meaning its ownership group does not own another professional sports team. Here’s how they’re faring thus far: 

• Atlanta Dream: 21–11 
• Seattle Storm: 16–17
• Dallas Wings: 9–24
• Chicago Sky: 8–24
• Connecticut Sun: 6–26

The first-place Minnesota Lynx are owned by Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, who also own the NBA’s Timberwolves. The Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Indiana Fever, and Golden State Valkyries also share owners with their NBA counterparts.

The Aces are the one team above .500 whose ownership group does not own an NBA franchise, though owner Mark Davis also heads the NFL’s Raiders.

The WNBA’s recent streak of expansion teams has shown the league’s preference for teams tied to the NBA. All six of the WNBA’s expansion teams since 2023 have been awarded to teams that either own or have a minority stake in NBA teams. 

The Connecticut Sun, whose sale process has stalled, could be owned by former Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca. Another candidate is Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta.

Dream owner Larry Gottesdiener told Front Office Sports in a statement that having a “sole focus” on one sports franchise has been helpful in growing the team.

“I believe that our players feel that singular focus and that our culture creates a better experience as a result. That’s the advantage of being an independent,” Gottesdiener said.

Gottesdiener, who bought the Dream in 2021, told FOS in 2023—before Caitlin Clark was drafted—that he believes independent ownership is important “for the long-term health and viability of the players and the league.” 

One reason why the WNBA, 42% of which is owned by the NBA, has preferred NBA ties is the home arena and basketball infrastructure that many of them already have.

Atlanta continues to play in the Gateway Center, which fits about 3,500, the smallest capacity arena of all WNBA teams. Team president Morgan Shaw Parker told FOS in March that the Dream are actively searching for a larger home arena that would seat around 12,000 to 14,000 people—and are considering building their own—but the timeline for a move is still unclear.