WNBA: Dream in process of being sold

A deal for the WNBA's Atlanta Dream is nearing completion, a league spokesperson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore Tuesday.

"As it relates to the Atlanta Dream, we understand a sale of the franchise is close to being finalized," a WNBA spokesperson said. "Once the sale negotiation is concluded, additional information will be provided."

It's unknown who the Dream are in the process of being sold to, though up to five bidders expressed interest, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reports. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James said on Jan. 6 he was considering putting together an ownership group for the franchise, though it's unclear if that came to fruition.

The Dream have been owned by Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler since 2011. Loeffler, a former Republican senator of the state of Georgia, faced calls from the players' union in July to sell the team after she publicly opposed and criticized the Black Lives Matter movement in an open letter to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

In response, players on the Dream began rallying for Rev. Raphael Warnock, then a Democrat challenger for Loeffler's senate seat. Warnock defeated Loeffler in Georgia's senate runoff election earlier this month.

Loeffler said in July she had no intention of selling the franchise. Now, she's expected to have no association with the team once it's sold, Shelburne reports.