WNBA approves sale of Atlanta Dream to group including Montgomery

The WNBA approved the sale of the Atlanta Dream Friday to a three-member group headed by Larry Gottesdiener and including former Dream star Renee Montgomery.

"It is a privilege to join a team of inspiring women who strive for excellence on the court and equity off the court," said Gottesdiener.

Two-time WNBA champion Montgomery will be the first former player to become both an owner and executive of a WNBA team. Montgomery sat out the 2020 season to focus on social justice issues and recently announced her retirement from the league after 11 seasons.

"My 'Dream' has come true," she said. "Breaking barriers for minorities and women by being the first former WNBA player to have both a stake in ownership and a leadership role with the team is an opportunity that I take very seriously."

The franchise was put up for sale last month. Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler had owned the club since 2011. Loeffler, a former Republican senator from Georgia, faced calls from the players' union in July to sell the team after she publicly criticized the Black Lives Matter movement.

The league provided a statement from Brock and Loeffler on Friday.

"Ten years ago, we stepped up to keep the Dream in Atlanta as an important asset for a vibrant and diverse city," the statement read. "It was also important to us to help level the playing field for women's professional sports. We are proud of what we accomplished and wish the team well in their next chapter."