SmackDown Nearly Shifted For WNBA Finals

WWE nearly stepped in to resolve a scheduling conflict involving game six of the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries. The game had become a national story as the NBA, WNBA, multiple arenas and other parties worked to place it in prime time at State Farm Arena.

Instead the contest was set for Thursday at 12:30 pm Eastern. According to ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne, Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena CEO Steve Koonin, a former WWE board member, reached out to WWE president Nick Khan. Koonin asked if WWE would shift this Friday’s SmackDown to a 9 pm Eastern start so the WNBA game could air on USA from 7-9 pm Eastern at the preferred venue.

Khan, who has known Koonin for decades, responded that WWE would be fine with the later broadcast window if it helped the WNBA Finals secure a more appropriate arena. The proposed solution was ultimately dropped because it would have placed a potential game seven on Tuesday opposite Election Night coverage.