Golden State Valkyries team owner’s role in helping Atlanta Dream host WNBA Finals revealed

Joe Lacob, owner of the Golden State Warriors, played a crucial role in ensuring the Atlanta Dream would host the WNBA Finals games in State Farm Arena. The Dream were originally scheduled to play Games 3 and 4 at Gateway Centre Arena, but the arena's smaller capacity and scheduling conflicts made it an unsuitable venue for the high-profile playoff series.

Lacob reached out to the WNBA and NBA commissioners to pressure them into accommodating the Dream's needs, emphasizing the importance of the league's image and fan experience.

Lacob explained to the Associated Press, "I put quite a bit of pressure on the commissioner of the NBA & the WNBA. I felt, look, it’s not really about us – it’s about the league. The look would not be too good to have Ballhalla and 18,000 fans here and 3,500 over there." Due to a concert on Game 3 and a Hawks game on Game 4, State Farm Arena couldn't accommodate the Dream's games, but the WNBA successfully moved Game 3 to the day before the scheduled concert and moved Game 4 to 1:00 p.m. on October 24.

This arrangement allowed the Dream to host their games in a larger venue, the Chase Centre, home to the NBA's Golden State Warriors. Although Game 6 remains scheduled at Gateway Centre Arena, the WNBA is confident they will find a suitable solution for that potential game-clincher.