Atlanta Dream ownership said it raised concerns about scheduling conflicts involving the 2026 WNBA Finals "months ago" in an open letter addressing criticism of Game 6's early tipoff at State Farm Arena.
Game 6 between the Dream and Golden State Valkyries was moved up from 8 p.m. ET to 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 29, at State Farm Arena to accommodate the Atlanta Hawks game that evening. Although the 17,000-seat arena will welcome more fans — providing nearly five-times more seats than Gateway Center Arena — many say a weekday afternoon tipoff for the most consequential game of the season doesn't feel like a fitting stage.
"Playing a midday game on a Thursday is not what we would have chosen and not what we fought for," Dream ownership said
in the "open letter to Atlanta" addressed to "Atlanta Dream fans" released on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
The ownership group, made up of Larry Gottesdiener, Robyn Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair and Renee Montgomery, said they made every attempt to flag the conflicts that played out in real time, to no avail.
"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 reads. "As we moved through the playoffs, we reiterated those concerns. Our concerns did not receive the attention, nor the urgency that they deserved."
USA TODAY Sports reached out to the WNBA for comment.
A person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports that the Dream were the only playoff team scheduled opposite the NBA team in the same city. No other playoff team had a potential conflict with their "brother" team. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
"Perhaps it was assumed that the Dream would not make it this far," the letter reads. "Perhaps, our place in the Finals was not accounted for. 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 Atlanta Dream sent out a letter to fans.
— Meghan L. Hall (@ItsMeghanLHall) October 27, 2026
They dove into the scheduling hurdles of the WNBA Finals and expressed what appears to be frustration.
From the letter:
“Perhaps it was assumed that the Dream would not make it this far. Perhaps, our place in the Finals was not… pic.twitter.com/w8g5MZO97g
Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals were also relocated from Gateway Center Arena, the Dream's home venue this season, to State Farm Arena in Atlanta, home of the Hawks. The date for Game 3 was changed to Oct. 21 from Oct. 22. The time of Game 4 was moved to 1 p.m. ET from its original 3:30 p.m. ET tipoff on Oct. 24 to accommodate a Hawks game the same day, which was moved from an 8 p.m. ET start to 8:30 p.m. ET.
"As much as we have great affection and nostalgia for Gateway Center Arena, we believed that our fans and the city wanted the opportunity to be a part of this historic series, and to see it played on a world-class stage. That meant State Farm Arena," Dream ownership wrote. "We are grateful to everyone who helped make that possible, especially our partners − the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena − who stepped up by adjusting their schedule on the fly, not once, but three times. And what a celebration it has been: a party, a concert and incredible Dream basketball all rolled into one."
The location of Game 6 remained TBD until Monday. State Farm Arena will host another sold-out crowd on Thursday, but a midday tipoff as opposed to a prime-time window will likely impact viewership.
"Thank you for showing up, showing out, and supporting the Atlanta Dream. Thank you for your patience, your flexibility, and your willingness to navigate all the hurdles being placed in front of us. This postseason has asked a lot of our fans, our partners, our players, and our city," Dream's ownership said. "But ATL knows how to handle adversity. It’s what we do. And once again, the city and our fans will fill the building. On a workday. On a school day. In the early afternoon. We do not take that support for granted."
The Dream must win at home on Thursday to force a winner-take-all Game 7 against the Valkyries back in San Francisco at Chase Center, which is known as"Ballhalla." Game 7 would take place on Saturday.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Atlanta Dream owners say WNBA Finals scheduling concerns raised 'months ago' were ignored
