Renee Montgomery: Moving Dream’s Finals Games Was a ‘Group Project’

The Atlanta Dream managed to secure the State Farm Arena to host Games 3 and 4 of the WNBA Finals after it was initially doubted that they would be able to play in a venue half the size. Renee Montgomery, a part-owner of the Dream, revealed to Front Office Sports that it was a collaborative effort, not just between the Dream and State Farm Arena, but also involving the NBA, WNBA, broadcast partners NBC and USA Network, and even the Golden State Valkyries, the team they were playing against.

Montgomery emphasized the magnitude of the achievement, stating that making it happen in such a short notice was nothing short of extraordinary. The WNBA announced the rescheduling of Games 3 and 4 to be played in State Farm Arena on Tuesday, noting the Dream's previous playoff games were held at the NBA arena because their home, Gateway Center, is much smaller with only 3,500 seats.

Game 3 was originally set for Thursday, October 22nd, but this date was occupied by a Sombr concert at State Farm Arena. The game was subsequently moved to Wednesday, October 21st and will be broadcasted on USA Network, where Montgomery also serves as a studio analyst. Game 4 will remain on its original date, Saturday, October 24th, but its time has been adjusted from 3:30 p.m. ET to 1 p.m. ET.

The Hawks' home opener is scheduled on the same day, but it will begin at 8:30 p.m. instead. The Dream's home crowd at State Farm Arena has averaged nearly 10,000 fans in their first three playoff games. With limited seating for the playoffs, the Dream opted for full capacity in their regular-season games at State Farm Arena, despite selling out of five out of six matches.

However, neither Montgomery nor Hawks CEO Steve Koonin confirmed the venue for a potential Game 6. Atlanta is set to host a possible Game 6, should the series extend. "We’ll have to wait and see," Montgomery concluded. The WNBA Finals kick-off Game 1 on Saturday at the Chase Center in San Francisco.