Know All About Atlanta Dream: Roster, Players, Owner, Coach and More

Atlanta Dream has built a reputation as a dynamic and resilient franchise. It has made multiple WNBA Finals appearances throughout its tenure. Being home to several star players, including Angel McCoughtry, Tiffany Hayes, and Tina Charles, the Dream remains a dominant force in the league.

With a strong fan base and a focus on developing young talent, Atlanta aims to add a WNBA championship to its legacy.

Atlanta Dream Overview

The Dream’s name honors Atlanta native Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. It was established in 2008 as an expansion team. Throughout its history, the Dream has secured three Eastern Conference championships in 2010, 2011, and 2013.

Atlanta Dream Roster

Below is a detailed overview of the 2025 Atlanta Dream Roster:

Atlanta Dream Head Coach

The Atlanta Dream appointed Karl Smesko as their new head coach on 13 November 2024. He has about two decades of coaching experience and has the third-highest winning percentage (.843) among active NCAA Division I women’s basketball coaches. Smesko succeeds Tanisha Wright, who parted ways with the Dream after three seasons.

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Wright led the team to two consecutive playoff appearances, which also includes a 15-25 record in her final season. Dream expressed immense gratitude for her services over the years but found that some changes were required in tactical strategies. Hence, they appointed Smesko as their new head coach. Before joining the Dream, Smesko served as the head coach at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). There, he built a nationally recognized program from scratch.

Atlanta Dream Assistant Coach

Atlanta Dream has two assistant coaches to help Karl Smesko lead the team to its first WNBA championship:

• LaToya Sanders: A former WNBA player and assistant coach with the Washington Mystics. Sanders brings valuable experience to the Dream’s coaching team.

• Brandi Poole: With extensive coaching experience in both the WNBA and college basketball, Poole adds depth to the coaching staff.

Dream has some serious coaching talent for the upcoming season.

Atlanta Dream Coaching Staff

Other than the head coach and his assistant coaches Dream has a vast number of individuals working on their basketball operations. These include:

• General Manager, Executive Vice President: Dan Padover
• Assistant General Manager: Brooklyn Cartwright
• Basketball Technology and Content Operations Manager: Sydney Durrah
• Director of Medical Services and Head Athletic Trainer: Natalie Trotter
• Assistant Athletic Trainer and Strength & Conditioning Specialist: Katie Buria

These individuals play crucial roles in the Dream’s operations and contribute to the team’s success both on and off the court.

Atlanta Dream Owner

As of February 2025, the Atlanta Dream is owned by a three-member group:

• Larry Gottesdiener: He has served as the Managing Partner since February 2021. Gottesdiener is responsible for setting the long-term strategic vision for the organization. Larry is also the Founder and Chairman of Northland Investment Corporation, overseeing its long-term strategic direction.
• Suzanne Abair: She is a Partner and the Chief Executive Officer of the Atlanta Dream. Abair collaborates with the ownership group to guide the franchise’s operations and strategic initiatives.
• Renee Montgomery: A former WNBA player, Montgomery made history as the first former player to become both an owner and executive of a WNBA team. She joined the Dream’s ownership group in 2021. Renee brings an athlete’s perspective to the front office, along with vocal leadership as a former team captain.

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Atlanta Dream Famous Players

Let us look at some of the famous players of Atlanta Dream:

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Atlanta Dream Arena

The Atlanta Dream play their home games at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.

Key Details about Gateway Center Arena

• Location: College Park, Georgia (near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport)
• Opened: November 2019
• Capacity: 3,500 (expandable for special events)
• Primary Use: A home arena for the Atlanta Dream (WNBA) and College Park Skyhawks (NBA G League)

The Dream moved to Gateway Center Arena in 2021 after previously playing at venues like State Farm Arena and McCamish Pavilion.

Atlanta Dream Stats and Records

Throughout their history, the Dream have reached the WNBA Finals three times (2010, 2011, and 2013) but have yet to secure a championship title. The team has seen significant contributions from players like Angel McCoughtry. They were instrumental during their Finals run, and one can never forget the contributions of Rhyne Howard, the 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Coaching changes have been frequent, with Marynell Meadors leading the team in its early successes and Tanisha Wright taking charge in recent seasons. Dream strives to be more competitive with the addition of the new head coach, Karl Smesko.

Below is a summary of Atlanta Dream’s year-by-year key stats and performances:

Atlanta Dream Jersey and Logo

The Atlanta Dream’s visual identity has evolved over the years and reflects both the team’s heritage and the dynamic culture of Atlanta.

In 2020, the Dream unveiled a refreshed primary logo. This design features a modern aesthetic with a stylized ‘A’ and a star. It primarily symbolizes Atlanta’s prominence and the team’s aspirations. The color palette incorporates shades of red, white, and gray which align with the team’s official colors.

The Atlanta Dream’s jerseys have seen several updates as they try to blend traditional elements with contemporary designs:

• Explorer Edition Jersey: Introduced in recent seasons, the jersey has showcased a bold red base with “ATLANTA” embedded across the chest in white lettering. The design reflects the city’s vibrant energy and the team’s forward-looking spirit.
• Rebel Edition Jersey: This edition features a sleek black design which symbolizes resilience and strength. Accents of the team’s colors are incorporated and they offer a modern and edgy look.

Atlanta Dream Retired Jersey

As of now, the Atlanta Dream has not retired any jersey numbers. Given the fact that Dream was established recently in 2008, such honors may be considered in the future as the team’s history continues to develop.

Atlanta Dream Mascot

The Atlanta Dream’s former mascot, Star the Bird, was an energetic presence at games and community events. He inspired fans and promoted the team. Star was known for engaging with young athletes and participating in various outreach programs.

Star retired in 2020, and Atlanta Dream has not introduced a new mascot since then.

Atlanta Dream Rivalries

Below is a comprehensive table of Atlanta Dream’s rivalries:

Atlanta Dream Instagram

The Atlanta Dream actively engages with fans on Instagram through their official account: @atlantadream. With over 259,000 followers and more than 8,000 posts, they share various content. This includes game highlights, player features, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and community initiatives.

Atlanta Dream Other Social Presence

Below is a table of the Atlanta Dream’s social media handles and the content they post:

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