Valkyries Owner Played Key Role in Resolving WNBA Finals Arena Issue

Golden State Valkyries owner Joe Lacob acknowledged his involvement in facilitating a solution for the WNBA Finals arena arrangements, which had presented a challenge for the Atlanta Dream.

The WNBA announced that Games 3 and 4 of the finals would be held at State Farm Arena, accommodating over 17,000 spectators, a move prompted by the Dream's original home venue's limited capacity.

"I put quite a bit of pressure on the commissioner of the NBA & WNBA," Lacob told the Associated Press. "I felt, look, it’s not really about us it’s about the league. The look would not be too good to have Ballhalla & 18,000 fans here and 3,500 over there."

Lacob emphasized the importance of maintaining a consistent fan experience across both participating cities during the championship series. "I think it’s important for the league to play these games in the finals, a great championship between two very good teams, in front of the same kind of crowd in both places," he stated.

Following their victory over the New York Liberty in the semifinals, the Dream encountered scheduling conflicts at State Farm Arena. Game 3 was originally slated for October 22, the same night as a concert, and Game 4 on October 24 coincided with an NBA Hawks game. The WNBA adjusted the schedule, moving Game 3 to October 21 and shifting Game 4's start time to 1 p.m. ET on October 24.

If the best-of-seven series extended to six games, the Dream would still face a conflict with the Hawks' game scheduled for the evening of October 29. The Dream had explored alternative venues, including Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion, which seats 8,600 fans.

The Valkyries, in their second season, reached the Finals after sweeping the defending champion Aces. The Dream are making their first Finals appearance since 2013. The WNBA Finals are scheduled to commence on Saturday at Chase Center in San Francisco.