Atlanta Dream blames WNBA for lack of 'urgency' and 'attention' amid Finals scheduling

Jarrod Castillo Wed, October 28, 2026 at 12:21 AM UTC

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The Atlanta Dream's ownership group took aim at the WNBA for the Game 6 scheduling fiasco -Credit:Photo by Brandon Todd/NBAE via Getty Images (Photo by Brandon Todd/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Atlanta Dream's ownership group blasted the WNBA for the scheduling fiasco surrounding Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals.

In the days leading up to Game 5 of the finals between the Dream and the Golden State Valkyries, one of the most pressing issues was where Game 6 would be held, as State Farm Arena, which hosted Games 3 and 4, was booked, with an Atlanta Hawks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers scheduled that night. At the last minute, it was agreed that Game 6 would be played in the arena at 12:30 p.m. ET, with the Hawks pushing their game back by one hour to 8 p.m. ET.

Though it was a solution, it was widely lambasted, with many fans, pundits, and personnel expressing their displeasure that the potential clinching game of the WNBA Finals is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. in California.

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Now, the Dream's ownership group has released an open letter to fans, thanking them for their patience. "First, thank you. Thank you for showing up, showing out, and supporting the Atlanta Dream," the letter began in part. "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."

The letter also revealed that the Dream's ownership had raised the scheduling issues with the WNBA well in advance, though the league seemingly opted not to act on them until the last minute. 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 continued.

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"As we moved through the playoffs, we reiterated those concerns. Our concerns did not receive the attention, nor the urgency that they deserved. Perhaps it was assumed that the Dream would not make it this far. 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."

State Farm Arena will host Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals after a scramble to get a compromise done -Credit:Photo by Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty Images

The ownership group also explained that playing a midday game on a Thursday afternoon was "not what we would have chosen and not what we fought for." Still, they thanked the Hawks and the arena for being willing to adjust their schedules three times during the finals.

"The Hawks and the Dream are different teams with different histories, but we share a city, a community, and a responsibility to help Atlanta shine on the biggest stages," the letter continued. "When one of us has an opportunity to make history, we all want to see it happen.

"We have built something special here, powered by our players, our fans, our partners, and a city that believes in what we are doing. We intend to keep building. We intend to keep winning. And we expect the opportunities, planning, and consideration afforded to us to reflect the level at which we compete.

"We are proud to represent Atlanta. We are proud to be in the Finals. And we are grateful for the way this city has rallied around us."

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Source: “AOL Sports”