WNBA group offered, Kelly Loeffler gone
The WNBA and NBA Board of Governors have unanimously permitted the sale of the Atlanta Dream to a three-member investor group, the group introduced Friday.
Traders embrace chairman of actual property group Northland, Larry Gottesdiener, Northland President and COO Suzzane Abair, and former Dream star Renee Montgomery.
Former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) is not an proprietor.
Final summer time, co-owner Loeffler stood in opposition to the social justice messaging the WNBA selected to characterize all through their season, calling the Black Lives Matter motion an anti-Semitic group primarily based on Marxist rules. Her feedback prompted speedy requires her to promote the group.
“With the unanimous WNBA and NBA votes, at the moment marks a brand new starting for the Atlanta Dream group and we’re more than happy to welcome Larry Gottesdiener and Suzanne Abair to the WNBA,” mentioned WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a group assertion. “I like their ardour for girls’s basketball, however extra importantly, have been impressed with their values. I’m additionally thrilled that former WNBA star Renee Montgomery will probably be becoming a member of the possession group as an investor and government for the group. Renee is a trailblazer who has made a serious affect each within the sport and past.”
Montgomery performed her last two seasons within the WNBA for the Dream and introduced her retirement following her 11-year profession in February. She opted out of the 2020 season to give attention to social justice reforms.
Montgomery turns into the primary former participant to be an proprietor and an government of a WNBA group
“My Dream has come true,” mentioned Renee Montgomery. “Breaking obstacles for minorities and girls being the primary former WNBA participant to have each a stake in possession and a management position with the group is a chance that I take very significantly. I invite you to hitch me because the Dream builds momentum in Atlanta!”
Based in 2007, the Dream has certified for the WNBA Playoffs eight occasions and has reached the WNBA Finals 3 times.
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.
