Arena location for Game 6 of WNBA Finals remains a problem

With the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries tied at two games apiece, we know there is going to be a Game 6 in the series, and we know it is going to be played in Atlanta. 

We also know it will be a potential series-clinching game for one team, which makes it an even bigger deal than your typical Finals game.

Especially when both teams are playing for their first championship.

There is, however, a problem that needs to be resolved before Thursday's tip-off.

The problem is where the game will actually be played. 

Arena schedules creating havoc for Game 6 of WNBA Finals

The Dream's normal home arena -- Gateway Center Arena -- holds just 3,500 people, and is not really the type of venue that is fitting for a playoff series, and certainly not a championship series. Especially given the demand for tickets and the interest in the league.

Atlanta has been playing its playoff games, including its first two WNBA Finals games, at State Farm Arena (capacity: 17,000), which is the home of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks.

The problem that has developed for Thursday's game is that the Hawks, who have priority for the arena, are scheduled to play the Cleveland Cavaliers at home that night.

While this was already a problem earlier in the series, the Hawks, NBA and WNBA all came to an agreement to move Game 3 up one day, and for the Hawks to move their Saturday night tip-off time back 30 minutes to allow for the WNBA game to be played in the afternoon. 

A Thursday night does not offer that same level of flexibility that a Saturday would.

There are logistical scheduling issues with trying to move the Hawks-Cavaliers game, with the biggest one being that both teams are dealing with a back-to-back situation. 

Moving the game to Cleveland is one idea that has reportedly been discussed, but it's hard to imagine the Hawks would be willing to go along with that. 

More details, from ESPN:

Following Thursday's game, Cleveland is supposed to play Saturday in Milwaukee, which could also be hosting Game 7 of the World Series. Fridays are NBA Cup exclusive games, while Hawks-Cavaliers is a non-Cup game.

State Farm Arena has open dates on Tuesday -- the day after Golden State hosts Game 5 -- and Friday. One proposal would move Game 6 of the WNBA Finals to Friday and Game 7, if necessary, from Saturday, Oct. 31, at Chase Center to Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The WNBA would support that proposal, but only if both teams agree to it, sources said.

The Valkyries have raised concerns about moving two WNBA Finals games and the three off days that proposal would create in between Games 5 and 6 as well as between Games 6 and 7, sources said.

It is a lot of headaches, and it could result in perhaps the least-desirable option: Game 6 being played in the 3,500-seat arena. The WNBA is experiencing an all-time high in popularity, and the crowds in the playoffs have not only been huge, but they have had incredible energy and atmosphere.

They are going to want this game, and certainly a potential series-clinching game, to be played in that sort of environment. 

They might figure out a way to get it done, but it is not going to be easy.