The Atlanta Dream's first home game of the 2025 WNBA season is against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. As WNBA fans remember from last season, the Fever consistently drew extra fans to games both at home and on the road as Clark's popularity swirled around the league. The Dream recently announced that their home opener will be played at State Farm Arena as opposed to Gateway Center. However, Atlanta's reason for moving may not be what you think, according to Dream majority owner Larry Gottesdiener.
"We have invested significant resources and energy into making Gateway Center Arena the most unique home-court experience in the WNBA,” Gottesdiener said, via wsbtv.com. "However, due to a scheduling conflict at Gateway, we saw an opportunity to bring this exciting early-season matchup to State Farm Arena, allowing even more fans to experience it. We appreciate the hospitality."
The statement drew backlash on social media, as fans questioned the "scheduling conflict" explanation.
"Atlanta Dream owner claims that their matchup against the Fever was moved from Gateway Center (3,500 capacity) to Star (State) Farm Arena (16,888 capacity) due to a 'scheduling conflict,'" one account wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
"The Atlanta Dream moved their game against the Indiana Fever due to a scheduling conflict… it had nothing to do with being able to sell an extra 13,500 seats," another user added.
"Atlanta Dream majority owner Larry Gottesdiener says they are moving the May 22 game vs the Fever to State Farm Arena due to a 'scheduling conflict' - not because Caitlin Clark is coming to down. It’s interesting that the Gateway Center has no events booked for May 22," a third fan wrote.
Fans do not seem to have a problem with the move, but rather the explanation for it. They are calling out the Dream for not mentioning Clark's impact.
In the end, even if the reason was because of Clark, a professional sports team likely wouldn't admit that a move was happening because of an opposing player. It is possible that the true reason is because of a scheduling conflict, but fans are not buying it.
The Fever and Dream will play two games in a row in the second and third contests of the regular season. Indiana will host Atlanta on May 20 before the Dream's home opener against the Fever on May 22. Meanwhile, the Fever's home opener is scheduled for May 17 against the Chicago Sky.