WNBA Finals Game Time Sparks Fan Frustration, Father of Player Blames League
The WNBA's decision to schedule a potential championship-clinching Game 6 in the early afternoon drew criticism from fans and the father of a key player, who cited conflicts with work and school schedules.
Fans and family members expressed disappointment and frustration over the WNBA's decision to schedule Game 6 of the Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream for a 12:30 p.m. start on a Thursday. Renard Hayes, father of Valkyries star Tiffany Hayes, directly blamed the league for the timing, stating, "It’s the league’s fault. And pretty much the Atlanta organization."
The midday start time in Atlanta created significant hurdles for attendees, many of whom had to take time off work or pull children out of school to attend the potential championship-clinching game. For fans in California, the game began at 9:30 a.m. Pacific time.
The WNBA moved the game to the afternoon to accommodate an Atlanta Hawks NBA regular-season game scheduled for that evening at State Farm Arena. This decision meant the potential WNBA championship game was preempted by an NBA game in the same venue, a move that drew criticism from fans who felt the Finals deserved priority.
"We should have been prime time," one Dream fan told OutKick. Another fan noted the scheduling felt "kind of disrespectful to the Dream," especially as the Hawks were just beginning their season. While the Valkyries' home game was played in San Jose, the team's regular-season home, Gateway Center Arena, has a capacity of approximately 3,500 seats. The move to the larger State Farm Arena, which hosted Games 3 and 4, allowed for more fans but created the scheduling conflict.
"It’s kind of a shame about how they couldn’t handle the situation better or couldn’t be more prepared," Hayes commented, noting that he lives in Florida and could manage the early start but sympathized with those who could not. A USA Sports spokesperson acknowledged that the daytime window was not ideal for television viewership but emphasized the league's effort to be a "good partner and to be part of the solution."
The league announced the schedule change just three days before Game 6, with tickets going on sale that afternoon. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert had previously highlighted the large, sold-out crowds at State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4, and the league's efforts to promote the adjusted start time.