Atlanta Dream Owners Blast 12:30 p.m. Finals Tipoff as Game 6 Sells Out

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 28

Atlanta Dream owners said the WNBA forced a “less than ideal” compromise for Thursday’s Game 6—a 12:30 p.m. ET start at 17,000-seat State Farm Arena instead of risking a move to 3,500-seat Gateway Center.
In an open letter, the ownership group said it warned the league two months ago that Finals dates would clash with Atlanta Hawks games, but those concerns “did not receive the attention” or urgency they deserved.
The scheduling squeeze has already reshaped multiple events: Game 3 was moved up a day, Game 4 pushed a Hawks-Rockets game to 8:30 p.m., and Thursday’s Hawks-Cavaliers tip was shifted to 8 p.m. for arena turnover.
League and team officials weighed other options, including moving Game 6 to Friday and Game 7 to Tuesday, but Warriors home dates and Election Day complications narrowed the choices to what ESPN called “the best of the bad solutions.”
Despite the dispute, Game 6 sold out, and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens urged employers and educators to give Dream fans “a little grace” as the team tries to extend a series it trails 3-2.