Atlanta Dream owners criticize WNBA scheduling for Game 6
The owners of the Atlanta Dream sent a letter to fans and media saying the league did not address their concerns about the Game 6 schedule at State Farm Arena.
Atlanta Dream owners Larry Gottesdiener, Robyn Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair and Renee Montgomery wrote to season ticket holders and local media expressing disappointment with the timing of Game 6 of the WNBA Finals. The game is set for 12:30 p.m. local time on Thursday at State Farm Arena, the venue also used by the NBA's Atlanta Hawks for a regular-season matchup later that evening.
The owners said they raised concerns with the league two months before the playoff schedule was finalized, noting that the finals dates conflicted with NBA games at the same arena. They added that their repeated inquiries did not receive the attention they expected.
"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 read.
The Dream will play Game 6 in the 17,000-seat State Farm Arena rather than their usual 3,500-seat venue in College Park, Georgia. The schedule requires both teams and media to vacate the arena after the WNBA game to accommodate the NBA contest. The owners thanked the Hawks for allowing the use of the arena but did not extend thanks to the league.
The situation has drawn criticism from observers, though players have not publicly commented. The outcome of Game 6 could determine whether the series moves to a decisive Game 7 in San Francisco.