NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
The Dream have faced scheduling conflicts with their home games throughout the Finals. After working with Hawks ownership and State Farm Arena, they moved Game 3 up a day and moved Game 4 earlier. Game 6 wasn’t as smooth. On Monday evening, the team set a 12:30 ET start time for Thursday, rather than the original 8 PM ET.
Last season, the Valkyries had their own postseason hiccup. They were lucky to move their first playoff game in history to San Jose’s SAP Center. It still holds 17,000 fans compared to Gateway Arena’s 3,500. After that, Chase Center and the owner of both Golden State teams, Joe Lacob, said the Valkyries will always come first if and when they advance into the postseason. They moved a Doja Cat concert immediately when the Valkyries advanced to the finals.
A 9:30 AM PT game on a Thursday for a possible series victory is less than ideal. The internet was once again in uproar over the time change, split between two ideas: ‘why should the Hawks care,’ and ‘why don’t the Hawks care MORE?’
The solution felt simple. However, because it was a quick turnaround, the Hawks couldn’t move their game until Annie Costabile said it was movable.
“A Dream source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t permitted to speak publicly on the matter, told The Athletic earlier this week that the Hawks game was indeed movable.” (The Athletic)
When that story breaks, the internet will implode again.
The Atlanta Dream ownership sent a letter to its fanbase on Tuesday night, explaining that scheduling issues had been raised before the team earned a spot in the WNBA Finals.
“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,” it read. “As we moved through the playoffs, we reiterated those concerns. Our concerns did not receive the attention, nor the urgency that they deserved.”
We have now learned the WNBA sent out playoff dates on December 4, 2025. It was sent to team presidents and general managers to help the 15 teams plan accordingly. The league required responses by December 31, outlining plans for playoff locations and venues if their team advanced. Teams were also asked to explain the “nature of the conflict” and whether it required a buy-out option if conflicts arose. (The Athletic)
Even though fans were fed up with the scheduling changes, the poorly timed game sold out the day tickets went on sale. Atlanta fans know the weight Game 6 carries; it’s do-or-die for the Dream. And Atlanta showed out for Games 3 and 4, not only in attendance but in vibes. Game 3 was personally one of the loudest games I have attended since covering the league. The ATL fans gave their team energy for that 20-point victory. It wouldn’t feel the same at Gateway Center even if the primetime option was better for television viewers. That energy can’t be replicated.
The Dream will play all their games at State Farm Arena next season due to their multi-year deal.
The letter continues to deflect blame for the scheduling conflicts. It states, “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, we are here. We earned our place in the Finals, and our city deserves the opportunity to show up for its team.”
“Playing a midday game on a Thursday is not what we would have chosen and not what we fought for. And as much as we have great affection and nostalgia for Gateway Center Arena, we believed our fans and the city wanted to be part of this historic series and see it played on a world-class stage. That meant State Farm Arena. We are grateful to everyone who helped make that possible, especially our partners — the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena — who stepped up by adjusting their schedule on the fly, not once, but three times.”
