A letter from Atlanta Dream ownership addressing Game 6 scheduling concerns draws mixed reactions from WNBA fans, with some questioning the team's complaints. Michael Macasero Wed, October 28, 2026 at 4:38 AM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Atlanta Dream's ownership group released an open letter Tuesday after an arena conflict forced Game 6 of the WNBA Finals into a Thursday afternoon slot.
With the Golden State Valkyries leading the series 3-2, Atlanta faces elimination Thursday. Fans are divided over the scheduling dispute, with some supporting ownership and others questioning its complaints.
Game 6 was originally scheduled for 8 p.m. ET but will now tip at 12:30 p.m. ET, or 9:30 a.m. in California. The Atlanta Hawks host the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena that night.
"Playing a midday game on a Thursday is not what we would have chosen and not what we fought for," the Dream's ownership group wrote .
The letter also described earlier warnings: "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. As we moved through the playoffs, we reiterated those concerns. Our concerns did not receive the attention, nor the urgency that they deserved."
Atlanta faced arena conflicts earlier in the Finals. Game 3 moved to Oct. 21 because of a concert, while Game 4 tipped at 1 p.m. ET to accommodate a Hawks game.
One fan questioned the timing of the letter: "Here comes the built-in excuse; I can already see it."
Another called out the Dream's use of the Hawks' home floor: "State Farm is not your arena. You don't have rights to it."
The Dream normally play at the 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena but have hosted their playoff games at State Farm Arena, which seats roughly 17,000.
Some fans sided with ownership and blamed the league. "But everyone wanted to dogpile on the FO and the owners; whole time it was the WNBA itself," one wrote .
Another defended the organization: "WHACK THEM AGAIN; they tried to make my org seem unorganized."
The Dream entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed after finishing 30-14. Still, one fan suggested the league hadn't expected Atlanta to reach the Finals: "They didn't think the Dream was getting this far."
WSB-Ch. 2 Atlanta sports director Zach Klein criticized the league : "This is all on WNBA leadership or lack thereof — Dream did everything they could to shine the light brightest and put their players on the biggest stage. The league failed them."
League and team officials explored several alternatives, but the combination of existing NBA commitments, arena availability, and the potential need for a Saturday Game 7 made rescheduling difficult. The eventual compromise retained Game 6 at State Farm Arena while moving its tipoff to Thursday afternoon.
SEE ALSO: 'What Are We Doing?' – 2-Time All-Star Calls Out Dream, WNBA's 'Logistical Failure' Over Finals Game 6 Venue
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the change Monday : "The sellout crowds and extraordinary atmosphere at State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 were a tremendous success, and we're excited to give thousands more fans the opportunity to experience Game 6 with a championship on the line."
A Valkyries win Thursday would secure their first championship. If Atlanta wins, Game 7 is Saturday at Chase Center in San Francisco, at 8 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network .
Source: Sports
0 Comments