ATLANTA, Ga. — Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens wants the city’s bosses and teachers to cut people some slack on Thursday afternoon, when the Atlanta Dream play an elimination game in the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena.
Game 6 tips off at 12:30 p.m., a slot that has drawn complaints from fans who will be at work or in class. Organizers first slotted it for 8 p.m., then pulled it into the afternoon so the Atlanta Hawks could host the Cleveland Cavaliers that night in the same building.
In an open letter carrying the official City of Atlanta seal, Dickens asked employers and educators to extend grace to anyone at the game or sneaking looks at it on a phone or laptop. He likened the city to a group project in which everyone has a part, urged leaders to embrace what he called a historic moment, and closed with a call for Atlanta to show up for Atlanta.
The stakes are high. Down 3-2 to Golden State, the Dream must win Thursday to force a deciding seventh game; a loss ends their season.
The team’s owners have also spoken out about the timing. In their own letter, they said the midday start was not the outcome they pushed for and that they had warned the league months ago that the Finals schedule clashed with NBA dates at the arena.
The series has given the Dream a much bigger stage than usual. Their regular home this year, Gateway Center Arena, holds about 3,500 fans, while the downtown arena fits roughly 17,000. The franchise moves into State Farm Arena full time next season, so this run doubles as a preview.
For workers and students who cannot get away, the mayor’s message was simple: let fans enjoy the moment, whether from the stands or from a screen.
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