WNBA Adjusts Championship Game Timing Amid Schedule Conflicts

The WNBA has rescheduled a possible championship-clinching game to Thursday afternoon. This change has prompted questions about why a weekday afternoon was chosen over alternative timings.

Game 6 between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries will now occur at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at State Farm Arena, shifting from its initial 8 p.m. start time. For fans in California, the game starts at 9:30 a.m. PT.

The game broadcast remains on the USA Network and available for streaming on Peacock. Golden State, leading the best-of-seven series 3-2, could secure their first WNBA title. However, if Atlanta wins, Game 7 would take place on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in San Francisco.

OutKick asked Versant, the parent company of the USA Network, about the decision-making process behind the new start time. A company source confirmed that the WNBA made the decision, but did not specify USA Network’s stance on the timing.

An overlapping event created scheduling pressure. The NBA’s Atlanta Hawks have a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena that night. They agreed to move their game to 8 p.m. to allow time for arena adjustments. The teams previously coordinated a similar schedule for Game 4, which started at 1 p.m. before a Hawks game tipped off at 8:30 p.m.

Holding Game 6 at State Farm Arena allows for a larger audience, as the Dream’s regular venue, Gateway Center Arena, seats only about 3,500 people. Previously, fans filled State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4, demonstrating robust support.

Both games were within times accessible to more people, unlike the weekday afternoon slot for Game 6, when many adults work and kids are in school. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that the league considered alternatives, such as holding Game 6 on Friday and pushing a potential Game 7 to the following Tuesday.

The original plan maintains Game 6 on Thursday and a potential Halloween Game 7. This plan prevents the series, which started on October 17, from extending further into November.

Discussions occurred over the logistics of a potential championship celebration. Initial reports suggested the event might move to a practice court, but subsequent clarifications indicated a commitment to celebrating on the court if Golden State wins on Thursday.

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert emphasized the value of hosting the game in the larger venue. She commended the collaboration between the NBA and other partners in facilitating this arrangement.

“The sellout crowds and extraordinary atmosphere at State Farm Arena for Games 3 and 4 were a tremendous success, and we’re excited to give thousands more fans the opportunity to experience Game 6 with a championship on the line,” Engelbert stated.

Additional seating doesn’t equate to increased attendance. Fans who managed to attend games on Wednesday nights or Saturday afternoons need to adjust for a Thursday afternoon schedule.

Moreover, fans in the Pacific time zone must watch at 9:30 a.m. The WNBA announced the schedule change three days in advance, with tickets available that afternoon. The league plans a promotional campaign across various platforms to highlight the new timing.

Promotion attempts to boost viewership, yet the timing remains fixed. While the adjustment might be the best compromise, clarity on why a potential championship game was moved from prime time would benefit fans arranging their schedules.