In just their second year as a WNBA team, the Golden State Valkyries became one of the best stories in the league. Last night, the Valkyries took another step towards claiming their first championship after a win over the Atlanta Dream. Meanwhile, the Dream’s voyage to the Finals also became a memorable story.

The franchise underwent a surge in popularity that saw them outgrow their home arena and require an NBA venue for the playoffs. Unfortunately, Game 6 became a concern because the Atlanta Hawks were playing that night. After the WNBA game was moved to an earlier time, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr opined. Social media could not wait to respond.

WNBA Fans Chastise Warriors Coach Steve Kerr for Game 6 Time Shift

Normally, Steve Kerr appears like a calm, thoughtful coach who measures his words. However, Kerr leveled a subtle jab at the Dream’s home stadium, saying that a 12:30 start time is better than playing in front of a YMCA-sized crowd. Social media responded with condemnation.

“Very disrespectful,” one user stated.

While succinct, that two-word comment embodies the general feeling of Kerr;s dismissive language. The Dream played most of their home games at the Gateway Center Arena, which seats 3,500, and ventured to the State Farm Arena for selected regular-season matchups. The State Farm Arena seats 17,000 fans. As mentioned, Kerr usually handles life in front of the microphone smoothly.

“Rare Steve Kerr L,” sportscaster Chris Williamson said.

Before he became a head coach, Kerr worked as a color commentator, helping him make the smooth transition into handling the media from a position of authority, in direct opposition to his days as a role player on championship teams. WNBA fans were not enthralled by the time shift, chastising the arena and letting Kerr’s words slide.

“No, they could planned better and had it at State Farm Arena and let the Hawks move. Finals take precedent over a third regular season game,” another X user interjected.

While the Finals, in a logical sense, should take precedence over an early-season NBA game, theydon’t, not as of right now. The Dream are a partial tenant as of this writing. Next season, Atlanta will move to the State Farm Arena full-time. As of now, the team is beholden to the arena and needs to take any time available.

“I’m getting annoyed at this sentiment bro. Y’all are devaluing independent ownership when through all of this the Dream are at the will of State Farm ownership, even more so after they become tenants. The Dream had loyal fans and a venue they didnt have to schedule around,” one user pointed out.

The Dream are not owned by a corporation. They are owned by a three-person investment group including former guard Renee Montgomery. To be more specific, the Dream and the Hawks are owned by separate ownership groups, unlike how the Golden State Warriors and Valkyries operate.

As a result, the team needed to act in their best interests as well. On the other hand, the Valkyries do not have such an issue.

“Not everyone had a billionaire funding every f****** thing Steve. Worry about the Warriors never winning anything again under you,” another fan lashed out.

The Valkyries are owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, billionaires who also own the Golden State Warriors and the Chase Center, where the team plays. Furthermore, the Warriors have not won a championship since the 2021-22 season. While many found the comments distasteful, others found a degree of acerbic levity in them.

“He called the dreams actual arena a YMCA ,” one user chortled.

Kerr made it seem like his comments were in jest. However, many believe they lend credence to the belief that the WNBA is somehow lesser and should be the punchline. The Valkyries can close out the Dream in Game 6 in Atlanta.