WNBA’s Atlanta Dream on verge of being sold

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Dream are on the verge on being sold.

Co-owned by former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, the team has been embroiled in conflict over her remarks about the Black Lives Matter movement. Dream players were open in their support of the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who defeated Loeffler in a runoff election for her Senate seat earlier this month.

Despite remarks that she did not plan to sell the WNBA franchise, co-owned with Mary Brock since 2011, the league expects an imminent sale.

A WNBA spokesperson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “As it relates to the Atlanta Dream, we understand a sale of the franchise is close to being finalized. Once the sale negotiation is concluded, additional information will be provided.”

A spokesperson for the Dream had no comment.

Dream players protested Loeffler comments about the Black Lives Matter movement last year by wearing the T-shirts and with social-media posts. They wore the Tshirts before a nationally televised game against Phoenix. Several players were active in the process leading to the runoff election, including taking part in videos encouraging participation in the election.

The issue between owner and team began in the summer amid the nationwide protests over social-justice issues and the Black Lives Matter movement.

“There is no room for racism in this country. We cannot have it,” Loeffler said in July. “But there is an organization, different from the saying, an organization called Black Lives Matter founded on Marxist principles. Marxism supports socialism.”