The Atlanta Dream are in the WNBA Finals.. and they might have to play their biggest games of the season in a 3,500-seat arena. HOW does this happen?
According to Meghan L. Hall of USA TODAY, Atlanta tried to move its Finals games to State Farm Arena, which holds over 17,000 fans. Unfortunately, a concert is booked for Game 3, and the Hawks have regular-season games scheduled during Games 4 and a potential Game 6. So unless something changes, they’re headed back to Gateway Center Arena.
Atlanta averaged nearly 9,700 fans at State Farm Arena during its three playoff home games. They JUST announced they’re moving there full-time in 2027 because they’ve outgrown their current building. Now they’re potentially going to play for a championship in front of LESS than half the crowd they averaged during the playoffs.
And get this.. the last time Atlanta made the Finals in 2013, they had to move a game because of DISNEY ON ICE. Thirteen years later, they’re back in the championship and STILL fighting the arena calendar.
I understand these events were booked in advance, but the WNBA has grown too much for its Finals teams to be scrambling for somewhere to play.
Somebody find these women a damn arena!
- Benny Yinzer
