WNBA’s Brittney Griner addition to Atlanta Dream Brings Excitement; Addition Seen as one that will Make the Dream Work

Signing a WNBA legend gives the Atlanta Dream a golden opportunity — one many believe will pay off. Brittney Griner, already a living legend, has joined the Atlanta team. For the Dream, signing the 6-foot-9 center is a smart move to boost the franchise’s success.

In a crowded sports market where they’ve struggled to stand out — and with consistent losing hindering their visibility — adding six-time All-WNBA selection Griner has already generated significant attention. Griner herself made the announcement on Instagram, recording a video aboard a fishing charter with new teammates Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, and Rhyne Howard, all of whom are participating in a 3-on-3 league in Miami.

Griner is a household name. Her star power, built at Baylor and over 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, is largely due to her towering size and dominant interior play.

The Dream will undoubtedly sell plenty of Griner jerseys and attract new fans to Gateway Center Arena, lending much-needed credibility to a franchise that’s struggled to find its footing. It’s a common outcome when a lower-tier franchise lands a big-name player. But now, the Dream must figure out how to make it work.

It’s important to note that Griner missed the 2022 season after being wrongfully detained in Russia for nearly 10 months. At 34 years old, some say Griner may be past her peak, but she will need to prove to both fans and critics that she’s still in her prime. Once a regular in MVP and Defensive Player of the Year voting, Griner only earned All-Star selections in 2023 and 2024. The Dream hopes she can return to the elite form that saw her finish in the top 10 of MVP voting five times. According to ESPN, Griner’s contract is reportedly for one year.

Over their 18 seasons, the Dream have had moments of success, including three trips to the WNBA Finals (most recently in 2013). With Griner’s addition, the hope is that these trips will become more frequent.

However, the Dream still needs continuity in management and operations. They are on their fourth ownership group, sixth head coach, and fourth home arena (counting two separate stints at Philips Arena/State Farm Arena). Unlike most WNBA teams, the Dream play in the league’s smallest arena and do not have their own practice facility. For the last four seasons, they’ve played at Gateway Center, the smallest arena in the league, with only 3,500 seats.

The Dream have ranked last or second-to-last in league attendance, according to the women’s basketball site Across the Timeline. Both management and fans are hoping that Griner’s arrival will bring the big changes the franchise desperately needs.