Concerns Raised by the Dream

The Atlanta Dream has expressed dissatisfaction regarding the WNBA’s choice to schedule Thursday’s Game 6 at 12:30 p.m. ET. This decision was made amidst evident scheduling conflicts at State Farm Arena, the venue used for the playoffs and home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.

In a public statement made on Tuesday, the organization conveyed that it had highlighted these concerns months prior, stating, “we raised concerns months ago with the WNBA regarding potential scheduling conflicts.” They emphasized that a midday game “is not what we would have chosen and not what we fought for.”

Home Venue Capacity Challenges

During the regular season, the Dream hosts their games at Gateway Center Arena, which accommodates approximately 3,500 fans. However, the franchise and the WNBA anticipated larger crowds for the postseason, thus making a move to the larger State Farm Arena, which holds around 17,000 spectators, a strategic choice.

Previous Scheduling Complications

The Dream’s playoff journey has encountered several scheduling difficulties, particularly with the Atlanta Hawks. Notably, Game 3 was rescheduled one day earlier, and Game 4 was a doubleheader involving both teams.

Game 6, however, presented even more complex scheduling issues. Both the WNBA and NBA explored various alternatives, including shifting Game 6 to Friday and rescheduling Game 7 to Tuesday, November 3—a date that coincides with Election Day. Other local venues in Atlanta were also evaluated, and options for altering the Hawks’ scheduled game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday were considered.

Reactions to the Matinee Schedule

The decision to schedule Game 6 as a matinee raised eyebrows among fans and stakeholders. Many were surprised and frustrated that such a pivotal, potentially title-deciding game would take place in the early afternoon on a weekday.

Anticipating the potential impact on viewership and attendance, the circumstances could lead to future discussions around scheduling protocols within the league. The situation could escalate to further criticism if the Golden State Valkyries manage to clinch the series on Thursday, marking a low point for what has otherwise been an exciting WNBA season.