WNBA Finals: Atlanta Dream Face Arena Uncertainty for Game 6

The Atlanta Dream are facing a potential scheduling conflict for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals, with the date and venue for the potential deciding game uncertain. The series is guaranteed to return to Atlanta after the Golden State Valkyries tied the series at 2-2. However, the Dream are in negotiations with the WNBA to adjust the schedule so that Game 6, slated for Thursday, Oct. 29, can be played at the 17,000-seat State Farm Arena, rather than their usual home venue, the 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena.

This situation mirrors a dilemma the Dream faced earlier in the Finals for Games 3 and 4. For those games, the league moved Game 3 up a day, and the Hawks agreed to a doubleheader with the Dream for Game 4, shifting their home opener back by 30 minutes. The current challenge is more complex, as State Farm Arena is already scheduled to host an NBA game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers on the same night as potential Game 6.

"We are waiting to hear from the league if any changes can be made to allow us to play in State Farm Arena. If not, the game will be played in Gateway Center Arena," a Dream spokesperson told ESPN on Sunday. A WNBA spokesperson added, "We continue to explore all options."

Several scheduling complexities arise from the conflict. The NBA has reportedly considered moving the Hawks-Cavaliers game to an alternative date or even to Cleveland. This particular Hawks game is not part of the NBA Cup, but it is a back-to-back for both teams involved, and relocating it to the Cavaliers' home arena on short notice would impact the Rocket Arena. Furthermore, Fridays are typically reserved for NBA Cup exclusive games, though this matchup is not.

Adding to the scheduling crunch, the city of Cleveland is also set to host Game 6 and 7 of the World Series around the same time, and the Cavaliers are scheduled to play the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 31.

State Farm Arena has available dates on Oct. 27 and Oct. 30. One proposal reportedly involves moving WNBA Finals Game 6 to Friday, Oct. 30, and pushing Game 7 from Oct. 31 to Tuesday, Nov. 3. However, such a change would require the approval of both the Dream and the Valkyries.

"There are problems with all the solutions," a source close to the situation told ESPN.

Discussions also included the possibility of making Game 6 a matinee, similar to Game 4. However, the league differentiates between weekday and weekend matinee games. The Dream had previously explored other alternative venues, including Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion and Gas South Arena in Duluth, but these locations were deemed less desirable due to their potential to feel like road games for both teams.

A spokesperson for the Valkyries stated, "We're proud to be part of such a compelling Finals and love seeing the growth of the game. We fully support what’s best for the league and will stand behind whatever it decides."