Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?
When the Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Saturday to even up the series at 2–2, it quickly became apparent that the league had a problem: The Dream didn’t have a venue locked down for Thursday’s Game 6.
The 17,000-seat State Farm Arena, where the Dream played to sellout crowds during Games 3 and 4, was already being used by the Hawks, who operate the stadium. (The Hawks had back-to-back home games scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, and the visiting Cavaliers also had a game in Ohio on Wednesday night.)
That left the Dream with few good options, including hosting the potentially decisive game at the 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena, where it played most of its regular-season home games.
On Monday, the WNBA moved Game 6 to 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at State Farm, drawing widespread criticism from fans and media.
In an open letter to fans, the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday addressed the scheduling controversy by pointing a finger at the league.
“Two months ago, when the WNBA finalized playoff dates and times, we raised concerns that the W Finals schedule conflicted with NBA games at State Farm Arena,” the letter reads. “As we moved through the playoffs, we reiterated those concerns. Our concerns did not receive the attention, nor the urgency, they deserved.”
It continues: “Playing a midday game on a Thursday is not what we would have chosen and not what we fought for.”
The WNBA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Scheduling has been an ongoing issue for the Dream.
During the first two rounds of the playoffs, the team closed off most of the upper bowl at State Farm Arena, despite selling out five of its six regular-season games there. A team spokesperson told FOS that the decision was made due to a short turnaround time for selling playoff tickets.
After reaching the Finals, it faced new challenges: State Farm was slated to host a Sombr concert during Game 3, while the Hawks had their own game during Game 4. The WNBA and NBA rescheduled Game 3 by a day and moved the start time for Game 4, in addition to pushing a Hawks game back, so the Dream could play there.
Next year should be smoother for the Dream—they begin a five-year contract to play all their regular-season and postseason games in State Farm Arena.
Colin Salao contributed reporting.
Download the FOS App
The business of sports, in your pocket.
Scan the QR code to get the app now.
