WNBA Shifts Championship-Crucial Game to Weekday Afternoon
The WNBA has rescheduled a potential championship-clinching game between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries from primetime to Thursday afternoon. The game, originally set for 8 p.m. ET, will now tip off at 12:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena. This change presents a challenge, as Golden State fans must adjust to a 9:30 a.m. PT start.
Despite inquiries, OutKick has not received clarification from the WNBA regarding this scheduling decision. The game will still air on the USA Network and stream on Peacock.
The Valkyries currently lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 and can secure their first championship. Should Atlanta win, Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in San Francisco.
USA Network’s parent company, Versant, stated the scheduling was the WNBA’s decision, although it did not disclose whether the network approved the new timing.
A concern was another basketball game. The NBA’s Atlanta Hawks are playing the Cleveland Cavaliers at the same venue that night. The Hawks agreed to an 8 p.m. start to accommodate the WNBA game and arena turnaround.
State Farm Arena previously hosted the WNBA’s Game 4 with a similar arrangement; the WNBA game began at 1 p.m., and the Hawks played at 8:30 p.m.
Keeping the game at State Farm Arena allows for more fans than the Dream’s usual venue, Gateway Center Arena. The Dream filled the arena for Games 3 and 4, proving strong fan support.
However, neither of those games conflicted with typical work or school hours. ESPN reported another option considered was a Friday game, pushing a potential Game 7 to Tuesday, November 3.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert highlighted the chance to host the game in a larger arena and expressed gratitude to all involved parties for their flexibility. Yet, the league has yet to address why it moved the game from primetime.
Commissioner Engelbert said, “The sellout crowds and extraordinary atmosphere at State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 were a tremendous success, and we’re excited to give thousands more fans the opportunity to experience Game 6 with a championship on the line.”
The issue remains that fans who adjusted to the previous schedules now have to cope with a Thursday noon start. The change was announced three days before, leaving limited time for fans to adjust.
The WNBA plans a marketing effort across multiple platforms to inform and attract viewers to the new game time. This promotion may help visibility, but it won’t adjust the inconvenient timing for working fans.
While this may have been the best compromise, the league has yet to explain its reasoning for moving the potential championship game away from primetime. An explanation could help fans understand the decision-making process.