Atlanta Dream demand answers after WNBA shifts Finals to lunch

The Atlanta Dream ownership group issued a sharp rebuke to the WNBA on Tuesday, objecting to the decision to move Game 6 of the Finals from an evening slot to 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. The team will play the Golden State Valkyries at State Farm Arena in that midday window, a change that has drawn public criticism from figures outside the league.

In an open letter to fans, the owners stated that they raised concerns about scheduling conflicts with the Atlanta Hawks NBA team two months prior. They argued that the league failed to treat those warnings with the necessary urgency before locking in the Finals schedule. The group suggested that the WNBA may not have factored in the possibility of Atlanta reaching the championship round, implying that the team’s advancement was not a priority in the planning process.

The WNBA explained that the earlier tipoff was necessary to accommodate an Atlanta Hawks NBA game scheduled for the same arena later that evening. Despite this logistical reason, the Dream owners expressed frustration that their concerns were overlooked until the final decision was made. They noted that the Hawks and State Farm Arena have already adjusted their schedules three times to make room for the Finals, a move the owners acknowledged with gratitude while still criticizing the outcome.

"Whatever the reason, the reality is that we are here," the ownership group wrote in the letter. They emphasized that the Dream had earned their place in the series regardless of what the league may have anticipated. The letter served as both a thank-you to the venue partners and a formal complaint about the league’s handling of the scheduling dispute.

The unusual Thursday lunchtime start has sparked reactions from high-profile observers. Rapper Flavor Flav proposed making the day a paid holiday so workers could attend the game, sharing a mock letter to employers on social media. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed the idea, replying to Flav’s post with the words: "I endorse this message."

The game is set for 12:30 p.m. ET on October 29. The original schedule listed an 8 p.m. start time. The Dream and Valkyries are now preparing for a contest that takes place during typical business hours, a departure from the standard evening prime time slots that the league typically reserves for championship games.