Who Owns the Atlanta Dream? A Local Guide to the Team Behind Atlanta’s WNBA Franchise

If you’re searching for “Atlanta Dream owner” because you’re curious who runs Atlanta’s WNBA team, you’re not alone. The Dream are a big part of the city’s sports identity, and understanding who owns the franchise helps you understand where the team is headed—and how it fits into Atlanta’s broader sports culture.

Below is a clear, locally focused guide to who owns the Atlanta Dream, how the ownership group came together, and what that means for fans and Atlantans who care about women’s basketball.

Current Owners of the Atlanta Dream

The Atlanta Dream are currently owned by a three-person ownership group:

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

These owners took control of the franchise in 2021, marking a new chapter for the team and for women’s sports in Atlanta.

Larry Gottesdiener

Larry Gottesdiener is the majority owner of the Atlanta Dream. He is best known as the founder of a large real estate investment and development company.

For Atlanta residents, the key takeaway is that Gottesdiener brings:

• Long-term business experience running a major company
• A focus on investment and growth, especially around facilities, fan experience, and brand building

He’s not an Atlanta celebrity in the way local athletes are, but his role is central in providing financial and strategic backing for the Dream’s future in the city.

Suzanne Abair

Suzanne Abair is a co-owner of the Dream and also serves as team president. She worked closely with Gottesdiener in the real estate world before taking on an active role in sports ownership.

For Atlantans, Abair’s involvement often shows up in:

• Front office leadership – helping shape the organization’s culture and operations
• Business decisions – sponsorships, partnerships, and community programs
• Strategic planning – how the team connects with fans across metro Atlanta

She’s one of the key people shaping what it feels like to be an Atlanta Dream fan—from ticketing to outreach to overall direction.

Renee Montgomery

Renee Montgomery is the most recognizable owner for many Atlanta sports fans.

She is a:

• Former WNBA player
• Former Atlanta Dream guard
• Two-time WNBA champion (with another team before joining the Dream)

In 2021, Montgomery became one of the first former WNBA players to become an owner of a team, which is a major milestone in professional women’s sports.

For Atlanta, her ownership means:

• A player’s perspective in the front office
• A strong connection to the fan base, especially younger fans and local hoopers
• A familiar face often seen at games, community events, and local media appearances

Because she played here, many Atlantans see her as a bridge between the Dream’s locker room, the front office, and the community.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Dream Ownership at a Glance

How and Why the Ownership Changed

The current ownership group took over the Atlanta Dream in early 2021.

Before that, the team had a different ownership structure. Over time, there were public disagreements and controversy surrounding prior ownership, and many fans and players pushed for change. The transition to the new group was seen as a reset for the franchise.

For fans in Atlanta, the ownership change matters because it:

• Brought in fresh leadership focused on stabilizing and growing the franchise
• Re-centered attention on basketball, community, and fan experience
• Elevated a player-turned-owner (Renee Montgomery), which many see as a positive symbol for women’s sports

If you’ve followed the Dream for a while, you may have noticed a shift in tone and energy around the team starting with that 2021 ownership change.

What Atlanta Dream Ownership Means for Local Fans

Living in or visiting Atlanta, ownership directly affects what you see and feel as a fan:

1. Commitment to Staying and Growing in Atlanta

The current owners have framed the Dream as a core part of Atlanta’s sports scene, not a temporary project. That means:

• Investment in long-term fan relationships in the metro area
• Efforts to grow the team as a mainstay alongside the Hawks, Falcons, Braves, and Atlanta United
• A focus on visibility in Atlanta neighborhoods, schools, and community programs

For residents, this increases the chances that the Dream continue to be part of the city’s identity and keep building momentum.

2. Focus on Women’s Sports and Representation

This ownership group often emphasizes:

• Equity in sports – highlighting women’s basketball on a major-league level
• Representation – especially through Renee Montgomery’s role as a Black woman owner and former player
• Community connection – outreach to local youth, especially girls’ basketball programs across Atlanta

If you’re a parent in Atlanta with a kid who loves basketball, the Dream can feel like a reachable, relatable example of professional-level success right in your backyard.

3. Fan Experience in Atlanta

While the roster and coaching staff handle the on-court action, ownership influences what it feels like to attend a Dream game or follow the team from home. That can include:

• Game presentation: music, in-arena experience, and promotions
• Pricing policies: from single-game tickets to group experiences
• Community events: player appearances, youth clinics, and local partnerships

Many Atlantans see Dream games as a more family-friendly, affordable way to experience pro sports in the city compared to some other leagues.

Where the Atlanta Dream Play in Atlanta

Knowing the owner is one thing—knowing where to watch the team in person is just as important if you’re local.

The Atlanta Dream play their home games in the Atlanta area. Over the years, the team has used different venues in and around the city. To get the most accurate, up-to-date info on:

• Current home arena
• Game dates and times
• Ticket options

you can check the team’s current season schedule through official channels (team communications, box office information, or league listings).

For planning purposes in Atlanta, most home games are reachable by:

• Car, from across the metro area
• MARTA, depending on the current home arena configuration and transit connections
• Rideshare services, especially for downtown or midtown-area venues

If you’re visiting Atlanta and want a pro sports experience that’s energetic but often less overwhelming than a major NFL or MLB game, a Dream game is a strong option.

How to Buy Atlanta Dream Tickets in the City

While this guide focuses on ownership, most people searching for “Atlanta Dream owner” are also curious about how the team is run and how to see them in action.

You can usually buy tickets through:

• Box office at the team’s home arena on game days (subject to availability)
• Team or league ticket platforms (online or via phone)
• Group sales departments for schools, youth leagues, or organizations in metro Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta, you might also see:

• Local promotions through community groups, employers, or neighborhood organizations
• Special nights celebrating local themes, Atlanta culture, or youth sports

Ownership decisions help shape these promotions and outreach efforts, since they decide how aggressively the team leans into local engagement.

Community and Civic Impact in Atlanta

The Atlanta Dream’s ownership group often presents the team as more than just a sports franchise—especially in a city with Atlanta’s history and identity.

For locals, that can show up as:

• Youth clinics and camps at community centers, gyms, and schools
• Player and staff appearances at events focused on education, leadership, and empowerment
• Partnerships with local organizations that align with Atlanta’s civic and cultural priorities

If you work with a school, church, or community program in the Atlanta area, you may find that the Dream’s front office is open to collaboration or group experiences. While specific programs change over time, the general pattern has been to treat the team as a community presence, not just a ticketed event.

How to Stay Updated on Ownership and Team News

Ownership itself doesn’t change often, but what the owners do—from hiring decisions to community programs—evolves every season.

If you live in metro Atlanta and want to stay current:

• Follow local sports media that cover Atlanta teams
• Keep an eye on team announcements about leadership roles, new initiatives, or infrastructure updates
• Listen for interviews with Renee Montgomery, who is frequently active in local conversations about sports and culture

Because the ownership group is relatively visible and engaged, news about the Dream often appears in Atlanta-focused outlets, talk shows, and community discussions, not just national sports coverage.

Why Ownership Matters If You’re an Atlanta Dream Fan

When you look up “Atlanta Dream owner,” you’re really asking: Who’s steering this team, and what does that mean for Atlanta?

For someone in Atlanta, here’s the big picture:

• The Dream are owned by Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, and Renee Montgomery.
• This group took over in 2021, bringing a fresh direction and a player’s voice into ownership.
• Their decisions shape:
  • The stability of the franchise in Atlanta
  • The fan experience at games
  • The team’s presence in the community, especially around youth and women’s sports

If you care about women’s basketball, Atlanta culture, or building a more inclusive pro sports scene, understanding who owns the Atlanta Dream helps you see where the team fits into the city’s future—and how you might want to support or engage with it.