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Dream speak out, Mayor Dicken's plea, Flavor Flav's pass
The Atlanta Dream face the Golden State Valkyries in a must-win Game 6, but the Thursday matchup conflicts with the Hawks’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Dream say they raised concerns about the WNBA schedule months ago and felt those concerns did not get the attention they deserved. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is asking employers and educators to give fans flexibility to watch, while rapper Flavor Flav has offered a playful permission slip for the game, calling it a "paid holiday.
ATLANTA - Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens asked local employers and educators to excuse residents who take time during the workday Thursday to cheer on the Atlanta Dream in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals.
What we know:
Dickens asked the community to extend grace to workers and students supporting the franchise during the afternoon matchup. The mayor called the city a group project where every supporter plays a key role during the championship push.
Dickens posted the note on social media, stating, "Let them DREAM!"
Rap legend Flavor Flav added his support on social media by distributing a custom note emphasizing national interest in women's sports, saying, "EVERYBODY WATCHES WOMEN’S SPORTS!"
State Farm Arena Midday Game
Franchise leadership speaks out on playoff venue conflict
The backstory:
League officials set tipoff against the Golden State Valkyries for 12:30 p.m. Thursday inside State Farm Arena. Venue scheduling issues required moving the contest to the afternoon to accommodate arena events.
Team co-owners Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, Renee Montgomery and Robyn Gottesdiener released a statement detailing how early postseason warnings were dismissed. Team leaders said league officials ignored scheduling concerns raised months ago regarding potential venue conflicts with the Atlanta Hawks.
Despite the matinée time, the Dream announced on Wednesday the game is sold out.
SEE MORE: Dream owners voice frustration with WNBA over Finals scheduling conflicts
WNBA Finals Fan Giveaways
Team shifts venue to accommodate arena crowds
Executives chose the 17,000-seat Downtown venue over their standard 3,500-seat College Park facility to give more fans access to the series. Team executives acknowledged the cooperation of Atlanta Hawks leadership in altering operations to keep the game in Downtown Atlanta.
Attending fans will receive blue shirts placed on every seat, rally towels for the first 10,000 entrants and thunder sticks behind both baskets.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from social media posts published by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and musician Flavor Flav, as well as an official statement released by Atlanta Dream ownership.