Who Owns the Atlanta Dream? A Local Guide to the Team’s Ownership and Atlanta Roots

If you follow basketball in Atlanta, Georgia, you’ve probably heard of the Atlanta Dream, the city’s WNBA team. Many residents and visitors wonder: “Who owns the Atlanta Dream?” and how is this team connected to Atlanta beyond the games themselves?

Below is a clear breakdown of who owns the Atlanta Dream today, how that ownership came together, and what it means for fans and the city.

Current Owners of the Atlanta Dream

The Atlanta Dream is owned by a small group of investors with deep ties to sports, business, and social impact:

• Larry Gottesdiener – Majority owner
• Suzanne Abair – Co-owner and operating partner
• Renee Montgomery – Co-owner and former Atlanta Dream player

Together, they form an ownership group that took over the franchise in 2021. This change in ownership is widely recognized as a key milestone in the team’s recent history and its connection to Atlanta’s culture and community.

Quick Ownership Snapshot

Here’s a simple overview of the current owners and how they connect to the Dream and to Atlanta:

How the Current Ownership Came to Be

A Turning Point for the Franchise

Before 2021, the Atlanta Dream had a different ownership group that included former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler. During the 2020 season, there was a public and widely discussed clash between players and ownership over political and social issues.

In early 2021, the team was sold to the current ownership group led by Larry Gottesdiener, with Suzanne Abair and Renee Montgomery as partners. For Atlanta fans, this sale is often viewed as:

• A fresh start for the franchise
• A moment when player voices and community perspectives played a visible role in the team’s future
• A shift toward an ownership group openly emphasizing community engagement and women’s sports investment

Why Renee Montgomery’s Role Matters in Atlanta

One of the most talked-about aspects of the ownership is Renee Montgomery’s place in it.

From Player to Co-Owner

Renee Montgomery:

• Played as a guard for the Atlanta Dream
• Won two WNBA championships earlier in her career
• Was a standout figure during the social justice conversations around the league
• Retired from playing and later became a co-owner of the team

For many Atlanta residents, her journey from player to co-owner represents:

• Representation: A former player in a powerful leadership role
• Local leadership: Someone who understands both the locker room and the fan experience in Atlanta
• Visibility: A Black woman co-owning a professional sports franchise, based in a majority-Black city with a strong civil rights history

If you live in the metro area or spend time around Downtown, Midtown, or the Westside, you’ll often see the team and Renee connected to local events, youth sports, and community initiatives that reflect Atlanta’s identity.

Where the Atlanta Dream Fits in the Atlanta Sports Landscape

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, knowing who owns the team is part of understanding how the Dream fits into the broader sports scene.

A Core Part of Atlanta’s Pro Sports Family

Alongside:

• Atlanta Hawks (NBA) at State Farm Arena
• Atlanta Falcons (NFL) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Atlanta United FC (MLS) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Atlanta Braves (MLB) at Truist Park

…the Atlanta Dream gives the city a prominent women’s professional basketball team with ownership that actively promotes women’s sports.

The current owners have emphasized:

• Enhancing the game-day experience for local fans
• Strengthening the connection between the team and Atlanta communities, including youth basketball and neighborhood-based programs
• Positioning the Dream as a long-term part of the city’s sports identity

Where the Atlanta Dream Plays in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and want to see the team that this ownership group is guiding, you’ll find the Dream playing home games in the city during the WNBA season (typically summer months).

The team has played home games at:

• Gateway Center Arena @ College Park
  • Address: 2330 Convention Center Concourse, College Park, GA 30337
  • Accessible from MARTA’s Airport Station with a short connection, making it practical for in-town fans and visitors

Venue usage can evolve over time, so if you’re planning to attend a game:

• Check the current season schedule
• Confirm the listed home arena and game time before heading out

How Ownership Affects Fans in Atlanta

For everyday fans in Atlanta, ownership might seem like a behind-the-scenes detail. But it can directly influence your experience, including:

1. Team Culture and Identity

The current group is widely recognized for:

• Highlighting social impact and community work
• Supporting player expression and local causes
• Promoting the Dream as a reflection of Atlanta’s energy, diversity, and history

This can shape everything from in-arena presentations to who the team partners with around the city.

2. Community Involvement

Under this ownership, many fans notice:

• Increased visibility of the team in youth sports camps and clinics
• Partnerships with Atlanta-based organizations, schools, and nonprofits
• Events and appearances tied to neighborhoods across the metro area

If you live in Atlanta Public Schools zones or nearby metro school districts, you may see Dream-related programming tied to youth sports, leadership, or education.

3. Long-Term Stability

For residents wondering whether the team is here to stay:

• Ownership commitment influences investment in facilities, staff, and marketing
• A focused, well-resourced ownership group generally supports more stable ticketing options, stronger promotions, and ongoing improvements to the fan experience

How to Follow or Engage with the Atlanta Dream in Atlanta

If learning who owns the team has you interested in getting closer to the action, here are some practical steps:

1. Attend a Home Game

Look up:

• Current season schedule
• Home arena details (often Gateway Center Arena @ College Park)
• Ticket options and promotional nights that might be family-friendly or group-oriented

Game days can be a good way to see firsthand how the ownership’s vision plays out in the fan experience, entertainment, and community presence.

2. Look for Local Events and Appearances

Across Metro Atlanta, particularly in:

• Downtown and Midtown
• College Park, East Point, and the Airport area
• Community centers and local gyms

…the Dream and its representatives may host or join events such as:

• Youth basketball clinics
• School visits
• Community resource events

These efforts reflect the ownership’s emphasis on being visible and active within the city.

3. Stay Informed About Team News

To keep up with ownership announcements, changes, or new community initiatives, you can:

• Monitor team news releases
• Watch or listen to local Atlanta sports coverage
• Follow coverage from local outlets that track the Dream and WNBA activity in the city

Summary: Who Owns the Atlanta Dream Today?

For anyone in Atlanta, Georgia asking “Who owns the Atlanta Dream?”, here’s the core answer:

• The team is currently owned by an investment group led by Larry Gottesdiener as majority owner, with Suzanne Abair and Renee Montgomery as co-owners.
• Renee Montgomery, a former Atlanta Dream player, is a particularly significant figure locally, representing a player-turned-owner story that resonates strongly in Atlanta’s sports and cultural landscape.
• This ownership group has emphasized community engagement, women’s sports investment, and alignment with Atlanta’s identity, which shapes how fans experience the team today.

If you live in Atlanta or are visiting, attending an Atlanta Dream home game or catching one of their community events is the most direct way to see how this ownership is helping define the team’s role in the city.