The Atlanta Dream ownership group has published an open letter to the city and its fans addressing the controversial rescheduling of Game 6 of the 2026 WNBA Finals to a 12:30 p.m. ET tipoff on Thursday, October 29, at State Farm Arena. The letter, signed by owners Larry and Robyn Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, and Renee Montgomery, states that “playing a midday game on a Thursday is not what we would have chosen and not what we fought for.”
With the Golden State Valkyries leading the best-of-seven series 3-2 after a 64-55 Game 5 win in San Francisco, Thursday’s contest is a must-win for the Dream. A potential Game 7 remains scheduled for Saturday, October 31, at Chase Center. The midday start exists because the larger State Farm Arena (roughly 17,000 seats) was already booked for an Atlanta Hawks regular-season game against the Cleveland Cavaliers that evening; the NBA contest was shifted from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET to allow a doubleheader. The Dream’s regular-season home, Gateway Center Arena, seats only about 3,500.
In the letter, titled “An Open Letter to Atlanta,” ownership thanks fans for their support amid postseason hurdles and emphasizes that “the Atlanta Dream has earned the right to be taken seriously.”
They disclose that two months earlier, when the WNBA finalized playoff dates and times, the organization raised concerns that Finals dates 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.” The letter adds, “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.”
Ownership notes affection for Gateway Center Arena but argues that fans and the city preferred a “world-class stage.” They credit the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena staff for adjusting schedules on short notice three times this postseason (affecting Games 3, 4, and now 6), calling the resulting atmosphere “a party, a concert and incredible Dream basketball all rolled into one.” Earlier Finals games in Atlanta also required adjustments due to conflicts with a concert and a Hawks game.
The letter praises the shared city partnership between the teams while stating an expectation that future “opportunities, planning, and consideration” match the level at which the Dream competes. It closes by affirming pride in representing Atlanta and gratitude for the city’s rally around the team.
The scheduling has drawn widespread criticism from media and fans for placing a potential championship-clinching (or series-extending) game during the workday on the East Coast and early morning on the West Coast, limiting live attendance and viewership.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert previously described the sellout crowds at State Farm Arena for earlier Finals games as a success and expressed excitement about hosting more fans for Game 6. The league has not immediately commented on the ownership letter in available reporting.
The episode highlights ongoing challenges for WNBA teams that do not share ownership or primary arenas with NBA counterparts, particularly as the league’s visibility and playoff interest have grown. Dream ownership’s public stance frames the situation as one in which the franchise’s deep run was not fully anticipated in league planning, while affirming the city’s readiness to support the team despite the inconvenient timing.