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The Atlanta Dream has criticized the WNBA over its decision to move a Finals game to Thursday afternoon, prompting reactions from rapper Flavor Flav and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries, is now scheduled for Thursday at 12:30 p.m. ET at Atlanta's State Farm Arena, moved from its original 8 p.m. start time.
The schedule shift, according to the WNBA, is meant to accommodate an NBA game involving the Atlanta Hawks later that evening.
In an open letter to fans, the team's ownership group said it had raised concerns about scheduling conflicts with NBA games at State Farm Arena two months earlier, but those concerns did not receive the attention or urgency they deserved.
"Perhaps it was assumed that the Dream would not make it this far. Perhaps our place in the Finals was not accounted for," the owners wrote. "Whatever the reason, the reality is that we are here."
The owners expressed disappointment over the scheduling decision while thanking the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena for adjusting their schedules three times to accommodate the Finals.
The scheduling dispute also drew attention beyond the league, with prominent figures weighing in on the unusual Thursday afternoon tipoff.
American rapper Flavor Flav proposed making Thursday a paid holiday so fans could watch the game, sharing a mock letter asking employers to give workers the day off.
Clinton backed the proposal on social media, writing: "I endorse this message."