Valkyries stars tells fans to ‘call in sick’ for Game 6 as early WNBA Finals tipoff sparks fan reaction

The scheduling for Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries has been a point of contention due to its early start time on Thursday afternoon (12:30 p.m. ET) and its conflict with an NBA game later that evening at the same venue, State Farm Arena in Atlanta. This scheduling decision has raised concerns among fans and players alike regarding the lack of prime-time slots for women's sports compared to men's leagues.

The early start time poses challenges for Golden State Valkyries' fans on the West Coast, where the game will begin at 9:30 a.m. PT, making it difficult for many to watch due to work or other commitments. Despite this, players and coaches have expressed their determination to support women's sports regardless of the inconvenient timing.

The decision to move Game 6 from its originally scheduled prime-time slot was made by the WNBA in coordination with USA Network (the broadcast partner) and Versant Sports (USA Network’s parent company). The rationale behind choosing a weekday afternoon over other options remains unclear, leading to speculation about potential conflicts or logistical reasons that necessitated this change.

The Atlanta Dream's open letter addressed to their fans acknowledges the challenges posed by sharing State Farm Arena with the NBA team on the same day and expresses gratitude for the support received throughout the playoffs. The letter highlights the initial concerns raised regarding scheduling conflicts between WNBA Finals games and NBA events at the venue, emphasizing that these issues have persisted through the postseason.

In summary, while Game 6 will take place as scheduled at State Farm Arena with both teams accommodating the unusual timing, there is a growing sentiment among fans and players about the need for more equitable treatment of women's sports in terms of scheduling and broadcast slots.