WNBA Finals Time Change Sparks Enthusiastic Response from Fans and Bars

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On Thursday, a temporary sign greeted patrons at Babe’s Sports Bar, proclaiming it “Babe’s Cafe. Fueled by caffeine. And rage.” The bar, located on Armitage Avenue, opened seven hours early to host fans for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals.

The game between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries was moved from its original 7 p.m. CT time at Gateway Center Arena to 11:30 a.m. at State Farm Arena. This switch accommodated the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, who had a game scheduled that evening. Fans, especially those in Chicago, criticized the decision.

Babe’s owner, Nora McConnell-Johnson, learned of the change through a Slack group. She noted the new schedule impacted potential earnings, as previous WNBA Finals days had been some of her best sale days. Despite this, she decided to open early, with her team rallying to support the unexpected morning crowd. Volunteers prepared breakfast in exchange for donations.

Patrons like Lauren Simington, who worked remotely from the bar, showed their support. Jackie Schmitz shared about the schedule on Babe’s Instagram, leading to thousands of interactions and high turnout. The place was packed by tipoff at 11:30 a.m., with guests enjoying coffee, beer, and a lively atmosphere.

Although successful, McConnell-Johnson expressed disappointment in how the league handled the situation, feeling that it displayed ongoing disrespect towards women’s sports. Some patrons, like Stephanie Zing and Elisa Mary Sanchez, suggested alternatives like changing game dates or locations.

The WNBA, NBA, and the teams considered such options, but logistical issues, like the NBA Hawks playing two days in a row, restricted changes. Many fans felt that the league’s rapid growth is outpacing its capacity to address these challenges efficiently.

Despite the scheduling frustration, the event became a celebration for the league. The Dream’s 80-69 victory forced a Game 7 amidst a sellout crowd. Bars like Babe’s saw great turnout, reinforcing the growing popularity and business potential of women’s sports.

McConnell-Johnson remains optimistic. She believes that the strong interest in women’s sports will eventually force decision-makers to recognize and capitalize on its market value.