How the Atlanta Dream evolved from a winless expansion team to a WNBA powerhouse.
In short: Founded in 2008, the Atlanta Dream quickly transformed from a struggling expansion franchise into a three-time Eastern Conference champion. Beyond the court, the team became a focal point of national discourse when player activism clashed with ownership, ultimately leading to a historic change in the team's leadership and ownership structure.
The Atlanta Dream entered the WNBA in 2008, drawing its name from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1963 speech. The franchise’s start was difficult; in its inaugural season, the team won only four games and set a league record with 17 consecutive losses. However, the trajectory shifted in 2009 when the team selected Angel McCoughtry with the top pick in the draft. Her scoring ability, combined with the leadership of head coach Marynell Meadors, propelled the team to its first playoff appearance that same year.
The early 2010s marked the team's golden era. The Dream captured Eastern Conference titles in 2010, 2011, and 2013, earning three berths in the WNBA Finals. Despite these achievements, the team fell to the Seattle Storm in 2010 and the Minnesota Lynx in 2011 and 2013. Following these runs, the team experienced fluctuating success under various coaches, including Michael Cooper and Nicki Collen, before entering a period of rebuilding in the early 2020s.
The franchise gained significant attention in 2020 due to a public conflict between co-owner Kelly Loeffler and the league. Loeffler, then a U.S. Senator, criticized the WNBA’s support for the Black Lives Matter movement. Players responded by publicly endorsing her political opponent, Raphael Warnock. This tension culminated in February 2021, when the franchise was sold to an ownership group that included former player Renee Montgomery. Montgomery became the first former WNBA player to hold an ownership stake in a league team, marking a new chapter for the organization.
Recent years have seen the Dream return to postseason contention, qualifying for the playoffs in 2023 and 2024. The team continues to evolve, highlighted by the January 2025 signing of All-Star center Brittney Griner to a one-year contract. This move signals the team's ongoing commitment to competing at the highest level of professional basketball.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Atlanta Dream | WNBA, Owner, History, Players, & Facts | Britannica
- Also: Atlanta Dream
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