Rumors

On Wednesday, Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Dream sideline reporter Tabitha Turner spoke publicly from The Cochran Law Firm in Atlanta in a press conference addressing a recent incident involving her and an Uber driver, where Turner accused said driver of assaulting her during her ride. According to a report from the Hapeville Police Department, which Fox 5 in Atlanta obtained, Turner was picked up by an Uber driver, Nicole Smith, at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Saturday afternoon after returning from a work assignment. During the ride, Turner and Smith had a dispute after Turner asked Smith to roll up the windows in the car because of the extreme heat. Ultimately, Smith refused, got frustrated, and pulled over before asking Turner to get out of her car and find a new ride to her destination.

Awful Announcing

Calvin Darden Jr., the man who scammed former NBA player Dwight Howard out of millions for an investment in a fake bid for a WNBA team, has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison. Darden Jr. will serve a decade-plus for scamming NBA champion Howard, 39, and former Houston Rockets player Chandler Parsons out of $8 million in a fake bid to buy the Atlanta Dream, Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said on Thursday, April 3.

People

A Manhattan jury in October convicted Calvin Darden Jr. of cheating Howard -- who had been one of the NBA's most dominant players in his prime -- out of $7 million in a bogus scheme to buy the WNBA's Atlanta Dream. The 50-year-old Atlanta resident was also found guilty of bilking $1 million from former NBA forward Chandler Parsons in a separate ruse involving the development of then-NBA prospect James Wiseman.

ESPN

After the Phoenix Suns were handed a 121-113 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, Kevin Durant told the media he was "definitely shocked" about Brittney Griner's Tuesday announcement to leave the Phoenix Mercury for the Atlanta Dream in WNBA free agency. Durant immediately shifted his tone as he reflected on his close friend's 11-year WNBA career in the Valley. "Well, that’s just part of professional sports, but BG is just been a staple here in the city for so long," Durant said. "It’s kind of weird seeing her with a new team, but everybody needs a change."

Arizona Republic

It's tough for Kevin Durant to register that Brittney Griner is taking her talents to Atlanta. However, he's had the same mindset as her before. After the Phoenix Suns were handed a 121-113 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, Durant told the media he was "definitely shocked" about Griner's Tuesday announcement to leave the Phoenix Mercury for the Atlanta Dream in WNBA free agency. Durant immediately shifted his tone as he reflected on his close friend's 11-year WNBA career in the Valley. "Well, that’s just part of professional sports, but BG is just been a staple here in the city for so long," Durant said. "It’s kind of weird seeing her with a new team, but everybody needs a change."

Arizona Republic

The WNBA — coming off one of its most successful years ever in terms of attendance and attention — had 12 teams this season; seven of those teams currently do not have coaches. The Dallas Wings are about to hire their fourth coach in seven seasons. The Atlanta Dream made the playoffs; they let Tanisha Wright go anyway. The Indiana Fever, with Caitlin Clark coming off her record-setting rookie year, fired Christie Sides over the weekend after a 1-8 start was turned around into a playoff berth. And on Monday, the Connecticut Sun and coach Stephanie White parted ways after back-to-back trips to the WNBA semifinals.

Associated Press

ClutchPoints: Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream takes home the 2024 KIA Skills Challenge trophy 🏆 (Via @WNBA) pic.twitter.com/CnnMbT8UGd

Twitter

Sportico spoke to more than 30 people inside and around the WNBA over the past six weeks to gauge the value of the 12 existing franchises. In most cases, we traded candor for anonymity with bankers, investors, owners and team executives, so people could share freely on why every franchise is worth “at least $100 million” to “I would never invest in one of these teams.” The average team is worth an estimated $96 million, led by the Aces, Seattle Storm ($135 million) and New York Liberty ($130 million). The Atlanta Dream, who play in a 3,500-seat arena, represent the current floor at $55 million. The teams are collectively worth $1.16 billion, including real estate and assets related to the franchises, such as practice facilities.

Sportico

Chris Vivlamore: Atlanta Dream statement on release of Brittney Griner: "We are all relieved to hear that after 294 days of wrongful detainment, Brittney Griner is finally coming home. Our hearts are with our sister and her family as she begins her healing journey. Welcome home, BG"

Twitter

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told The Athletic she hopes to identify one or two cities for an expansion franchise by the start of the WNBA playoffs in September or by year’s end at the latest. Those new teams could begin to play as early as the 2024 season, she said. This would be the first time the league has added an expansion team since the Atlanta Dream were founded in 2008. When the new team, or teams, enter the WNBA, it will mark the long-awaited end to a process that has already reached critical mass. The Athletic spoke to more than 20 people in and around the WNBA with knowledge of league expansion and its financial picture to learn more about the league’s plans. It is an attempt to not only suss out which cities have a chance to become a future WNBA outpost, but also to understand how much a franchise is worth in a league where team values are hard to ascertain.

The Athletic

Jason Concepcion is setting up his first audio and video projects since moving from The Ringer to Crooked Media. The former co-host of the popular Binge Mode podcast is launching two sports-centric projects at the Pod Save America producer. He will host a podcast, Takeline, with former WNBA star Renee Montgomery, and partial owner of the Atlanta Dream WNBA team, and a weekly video series All Caps NBA. Takeline, which launches March 16, will see the pair break down the games, players, and controversies that run both on and off the court. Expect Concepcion and Montgomery’s takes on everything from the NBA to The Bachelor. All Caps NBA, which launches March 19, will invite NBA fans to join a quick moving, snappy discussion for what’s happening in sports, culture, and politics. It will be available on Crooked’s new Takeline YouTube channel.

deadline.com

The Atlanta Dream are on the verge on being sold. Co-owned by former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, the team has been embroiled in conflict over her remarks about the Black Lives Matter movement. Dream players were open in their support of the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who defeated Loeffler in a runoff election for her Senate seat earlier this month.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A WNBA spokesperson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “As it relates to the Atlanta Dream, we understand a sale of the franchise is close to being finalized. Once the sale negotiation is concluded, additional information will be provided.”

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Atlanta Dream are on the verge on being sold. Co-owned by former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, the team has been embroiled in conflict over her remarks about the Black Lives Matter movement. Dream players were open in their support of Rev. Raphael Warnock, who defeated Loeffler in a runoff election for her senate seat earlier this month. Despite remarks that she did not plan to sell the WNBA franchise, co-owned with Mary Brock since 2011, the league expects an imminent sale.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution