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

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 2/26/21

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.

The WNBA has approved the sale of the @AtlantaDream.
Full release⬇️https://t.co/JUcoXGTPDL
— WNBA (@WNBA) February 26, 2021

Blessings Moments really do equal Momentum. I’m so excited so can y’all start showing yalls support by hitting that follow button ➡️ @AtlantaDream #DreamPursuer #momentsequalmomentum ✨ pic.twitter.com/D3cgEtZGzt
— Renee Montgomery (@ReneeMontgomery) February 26, 2021

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.

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