Atlanta Dream Criticizes WNBA Leadership Over Finals Schedule Conflict

Owners of the Atlanta Dream have publicly criticized WNBA leadership, alleging that concerns about potential scheduling conflicts for the WNBA Finals were not adequately addressed despite being raised months prior. The controversy surrounds Game 6 of the Finals, which is scheduled to be played at State Farm Arena on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. EDT.

This game was initially slated for the smaller Gateway Center Arena. However, a move to State Farm Arena, which has a significantly larger capacity, was necessary due to conflicts with the arena's primary tenant, the Atlanta Hawks. The decision to play a potentially championship-deciding game during midday on a weekday has drawn widespread criticism from the WNBA community.

In an open letter to their fans, the Dream's ownership expressed frustration, stating, "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 further detailed that these concerns were reiterated as the playoffs progressed but "did not receive the attention, nor the urgency that they deserved."

The ownership suggested that the league might not have anticipated the Dream reaching this stage of the Finals, leading to oversight. "Perhaps it was assumed that the Dream would not make it this far. Perhaps our place in the Finals was not accounted for," the letter read. "Whatever the reason, the reality is that we are here. We earned our place in the Finals, and our city deserves the opportunity to show up for its team."

The team's owners acknowledged that playing a midday game on a Thursday was not their preferred scenario. "Playing a midday game on a Thursday is not what we would have chosen and not what we fought for," they stated. They expressed gratitude to the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena for their flexibility in adjusting their schedules to accommodate the WNBA Finals game, noting that these adjustments were made multiple times.

The letter concluded with a call for greater consideration moving forward: "We have built something special here, powered by our players, our fans, our partners, and a city that believes in what we are doing. We intend to keep building. We intend to keep winning. And we expect the opportunities, planning, and consideration afforded to us to reflect the level at which we compete."

Much of the criticism directed at the league in the wake of this scheduling issue has targeted Cathy Engelbert, the outgoing WNBA commissioner, who has faced scrutiny over her leadership throughout the year. WNBA spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment.