Sources close to the situation have revealed that ESPN has recently published an article highlighting Game Six of the WNBA Finals, which will take place later tonight between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream. The article mentions that WWE offered to postpone Friday’s SmackDown timeslot to accommodate the game.
There were on top of that concerns about the game’s scheduling, notably since the Atlanta Hawks are playing on Thursday at State Farm Stadium. According to people with knowledge, Hawks and State Farm Arena CEO Steve Koonin reached out to Nick Khan to inquire whether WWE could shift this week’s SmackDown broadcast on the USA Network by an hour, moving it to 9 PM ET. Khan indicated they would be willing to do so to allow the Finals to “play in a more appropriate arena.”
Ultimately, that adjustment did not happen. The WNBA expressed concern that a potential Game Seven should not take place on Tuesday — as it would coincide with midterm election night coverage in the U.S. As a result, Game Six is slated for Thursday at 12:30 PM ET.