ATLANTA, Ga. (December 20, 2022) – Head coach Tanisha Wright, AP Coach of the Year in her first season, and Dan Padover, two-time WNBA Executive of the Year, have each signed five-year contract extensions that will keep them in Atlanta through the 2027 season.  Per team policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

“We are essentially building the Atlanta Dream from scratch, and that takes time,” said Larry Gottesdiener, primary owner of the Atlanta Dream. “What Tanisha and Dan accomplished with this team in less than a year is extraordinary, and is something that should put the sports world on notice of exciting things to come from our franchise.”

Wright was named AP Coach of the Year in her first season as a head coach, helped guide Rhyne Howard to a WNBA All-Star appearance and Rookie of the Year award, and is credited throughout the league for establishing a culture of accountability, professionalism and integrity.

“I feel extremely blessed to partner with an organization that has a long-term perspective, is willing to invest heavily, and honors the work that Dan and I are doing to build an organization in the right way” said head coach Tanisha Wright. “Our staff and players set a foundation last year and knowing that ownership trusts us to accomplish the goals that we have all set is exciting. This level of commitment and stability will allow us to take the long view as we build our team and our culture, and attract quality professionals and players in pursuit of a championship.”

Padover brought in eight new players to the roster in 2022, including All-Star and WNBA Kia Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard, after orchestrating a trade for the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft. Padover, a two-time WNBA Executive of the Year, was attracted to the Dream by the blank slate opportunity to build a team from the ground up, in the right way.

“I want to thank Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, and Renee Montgomery for reiterating their confidence in Tanisha and me” said Padover.  “When we started on this journey, I had the belief that this ownership group and this leadership team could build something special here in Atlanta. I am even more confident in that belief today. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are all looking forward to the challenge of making the Dream a perennial championship contender.

“I also want to thank a phenomenal group of players and staff that took a leap of faith with us last season” Padover added. “Every individual took pride in the common goal of resetting the trajectory of the Atlanta Dream and I will forever be grateful for everyone’s buy-in. I believe that when the history is written, Dream ‘22 will be known as the team that turned the franchise around.”

About the Atlanta Dream

The Atlanta Dream is a professional women’s basketball team based in Atlanta, Ga. that strives to build a place where our team, our fans and our city come together to represent the community we seek to serve. We celebrate diversity, represent Atlanta, reward innovation and imagination, and aim to empower women both on and off the court. The team currently plays home games at the Gateway Center Arena @ College Park and has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in nine of its first 15 seasons. To learn more about the Dream and purchase 2023 season tickets, please visit dream.wnba.com/tickets or call 877-977-7729.