WWE Offered To Delay SmackDown For WNBA Finals

Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream is scheduled for 12:30 PM ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The timing and venue remained undecided in the days before the matchup because the Atlanta Hawks have a game at the same arena on Thursday at 8 PM ET.

WWE offered to assist the WNBA by shifting its SmackDown broadcast to a 9 PM ET start time. This adjustment would have allowed Game 6 to take place at 7 PM ET on Friday at State Farm Arena.

SmackDown normally airs at 8 PM ET on Fridays on USA Network, which is also the broadcast home for the WNBA Finals game. WWE President Nick Khan agreed to the later time slot after being contacted by the Hawks and State Farm Arena CEO.

The proposal emerged during negotiations over the weekend as an effort to secure a more suitable venue for the Finals. The plan ultimately did not proceed because the league did not want a potential Game 7 to conflict with Election Night coverage on Tuesday.