Oct 4, 2017; Minnesota Lynx guard Renee Montgomery (21) before the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Williams Arena.  Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

WNBA approves sale of Atlanta Dream to group including Renee Montgomery

The WNBA approved the sale of the Atlanta Dream on Friday to a group headed by Larry Gottesdiener and including former Dream star Renee Montgomery. 

Montgomery becomes the first former player to be an owner and executive of a WNBA team. She sat out the 2020 season to focus on social justice issues and recently announced her retirement after two seasons in Atlanta.

The 34-year-old also played for the Connecticut Sun, Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm. Her career spanned 11 seasons. 

"My 'Dream' has come true," Montgomery said. "Breaking barriers for minorities and women by being the first former WNBA player to have both a stake in ownership and a leadership role with the team is an opportunity that I take very seriously."

The Dream were put up for sale last month after WNBA players called for former owner Kelly Loeffler, a former Republican senator from Georgia, to sell the franchise after she publicly criticized the Black Lives Matter movement.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Ant-Man leads Timberwolves to Game 1 upset of Nuggets
Luis Arraez makes history in Padres debut
Corey Heim dominates Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway while tempers flare on pit road
Lionel Messi sets MLS record with monster game
Watch: Anthony Edwards does it all for Minnesota
Watch: 150th Kentucky Derby ends in three-horse photo finish
Clippers could see nine-time All-Star jump ship this summer
Phillies get rough injury news on Trea Turner
Watch: Yankees star Aaron Judge receives first career ejection after arguing called third strike
Mavericks lose key player for 'significant period of time'
Blue Jays manager John Schneider blasts team after latest loss
Lakers make another big change after firing Darvin Ham
Draymond Green doubles down on Knicks' inability to win a championship
Phillies lose two-time All-Star to injured list
NBA announces punishment for Lakers star over actions in elimination game
Heat may be cooling on Jimmy Butler's long-term future
NFL insider defends former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett from 'bust' label
Nuggets may miss this player as postseason run continues
Report: Russell Westbrook situation 'far more challenging' than previously thought
Kansas City Chiefs release former second-round pick at WR