The Atlanta Dream is one of the most talked about ownership stories in the WNBA. The franchise changed hands in 2021 after a very public fallout involving a sitting United States Senator.
Today the team is controlled by real estate investor Larry Gottesdiener, alongside business partner Suzanne Abair and former Dream star Renee Montgomery.
Their purchase came right as the WNBA began a historic surge in franchise values, with some teams now worth hundreds of millions more than they were just a few years ago.
So how did Kelly Loeffler lose control of the Atlanta Dream, what is the team actually worth heading into 2026, and could it be sold again amid the leagues growth boom? Lets break it all down.
| Team | Atlanta Dream |
| Current Owner | Larry Gottesdiener, Chairman of Northland Investment Corporation |
| Purchase Price | Not publicly disclosed; Gottesdiener pledged roughly 100 million dollars in future investment |
| Valuation | 190 million dollars according to Forbes in 2025 |
| Founded | 2007, began play in 2008 |
| League | WNBA |
| Arena | Gateway Center Arena at College Park, with select games at State Farm Arena |
| Former Owner | Kelly Loeffler and Mary Brock, owners from 2011 to 2021 |
Table of Contents
Who Owns the Atlanta Dream Today
The Atlanta Dream is owned by an investment group led by Larry Gottesdiener, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Northland Investment Corporation, a large real estate firm based in Newton, Massachusetts.
Gottesdiener leads the group as governor of the team, the official title the WNBA uses for a controlling owner. He is joined by Suzanne Abair, President and Chief Operating Officer of Northland, who also holds an ownership stake and serves as an alternate governor.
The third key figure is Renee Montgomery, a two time WNBA champion who played for the Dream. Her addition to the group made her the first former WNBA player to hold both an ownership stake and a leadership role with her old team.
According to Wikipedia, the group formally took over the franchise in February 2021 after the WNBA Board of Governors approved the sale.
Governor and Chairman of Northland Investment Corporation
Alternate Governor and President and Chief Operating Officer of Northland
Owner and former Dream player, two time WNBA champion
Why Did Kelly Loeffler Sell the Atlanta Dream
Kelly Loeffler, then a sitting United States Senator from Georgia, co owned the Atlanta Dream with Mary Brock under the name Dream Too LLC starting in 2011.
In 2020, Loeffler publicly opposed the WNBA players decision to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Dream players and athletes across the league responded with organized activism, including wearing shirts supporting her Senate opponent, Raphael Warnock.
The backlash made Loefflers position as an owner increasingly untenable. After losing her Senate runoff election in early 2021, she moved to sell her stake in the team.
The WNBA Board of Governors approved the sale to the Gottesdiener led group on February 26, 2021, closing one of the most contentious ownership chapters in league history.
Atlanta Dream Ownership Timeline
Kelly Loeffler and Mary Brock purchase the Atlanta Dream through Dream Too LLC.
Loefflers public comments against the Black Lives Matter movement spark organized protest from Dream players and the wider league.
Larry Gottesdiener, with Suzanne Abair and Renee Montgomery, completes the purchase and wins league approval on February 26.
The Dream sell out season tickets as WNBA attendance and media interest climb league wide.
WNBA franchise values surge league wide, with the Golden State Valkyries topping 850 million dollars, as the Dream continues building under Gottesdiener ownership.
How Much Did Larry Gottesdiener Pay for the Atlanta Dream
The exact purchase price of the 2021 sale was never publicly disclosed by either the sellers or the WNBA.
Reporting from the Sports Business Journal indicated that Gottesdiener planned to invest around 100 million dollars into the franchise following the acquisition, covering everything from facilities upgrades to front office growth.
At the time, WNBA teams were valued far lower than they are today. Sportico pegged the Dream as the least valuable franchise in the league as recently as 2024, at just 55 million dollars, which shows how quickly the market has since moved.
What Is the Atlanta Dream Worth in 2026
Forbes valued the Atlanta Dream at 190 million dollars in its 2025 WNBA rankings, the lowest figure among the leagues established franchises but still more than triple the teams valuation from just a year earlier.
The jump reflects a broader trend across the league. Star power from players such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, new media rights deals, and expansion interest have pushed the average WNBA franchise value up dramatically since 2024.
By 2026, the Golden State Valkyries had become the leagues first team valued at 850 million dollars, according to Forbes reporting, underscoring just how much the financial landscape has shifted for owners like Gottesdiener.
Where Do the Atlanta Dream Play Home Games
The Atlanta Dream primarily play home games at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, a venue the team has used as its main home court since 2021.
To meet growing demand, ownership has also scheduled select marquee matchups at State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta, giving fans access to a larger venue for the games expected to draw the biggest crowds.
Is Larry Gottesdiener a Good Owner: Is the Atlanta Dream Ownership Really Worth It
Supporters of Gottesdieners ownership point to real progress. The team has stabilized after years of instability under Loeffler, season tickets have sold out, and the franchise brought in a former player as a genuine decision maker through Renee Montgomery.
Ownership also committed real capital, with a pledged investment of roughly 100 million dollars into the organization shortly after taking over, a figure that has helped fund improvements to facilities and operations.
On the other side, critics note the Dream still ranked as the leagues least valuable franchise in both 2024 and 2025, and the team has not made the playoffs since 2018, leaving some fans frustrated with the pace of on court progress.
Taken together, most analysts view the ownership change as a clear upgrade over the Loeffler era, even if the Dream still has ground to make up compared to the leagues wealthiest franchises.
Who Else Is Part of the Atlanta Dream Ownership Group
Beyond Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair plays a major operational role in the ownership group, drawing on her experience running Northlands day to day business as President and Chief Operating Officer.
Renee Montgomery remains closely tied to the franchise as an owner. Her background as a Dream player and WNBA champion gives the ownership group a direct connection to the locker room that few other WNBA owners share.
For context on how team ownership works across other major properties, see our breakdown of who owns the NFL, and compare it with a nearby program in our guide to who owns the Georgia Bulldogs.
Are the Atlanta Dream for Sale in 2026
As of 2026, there is no public indication that Larry Gottesdiener or his partners are looking to sell the Atlanta Dream.
Given how sharply WNBA valuations have risen since 2021, a sale now would likely bring a price far higher than what Gottesdiener originally paid, giving current ownership every incentive to hold on and keep building the franchise.
With the league expanding into new markets and media rights values climbing, most observers expect the current group to remain in place for the foreseeable future rather than cash out early.
Frequently Asked Questions About Atlanta Dream Ownership
Who Is the Owner of the Atlanta Dream
Larry Gottesdiener is the controlling owner and governor of the Atlanta Dream, leading a group that also includes Suzanne Abair and Renee Montgomery.
Who Is Larry Gottesdiener
Larry Gottesdiener is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Northland Investment Corporation, a large private real estate firm, and became the controlling owner of the Atlanta Dream in February 2021.
What Is Larry Gottesdieners Net Worth
Gottesdieners exact personal net worth is not publicly disclosed, though his wealth is tied to Northland Investment Corporation, a real estate company that owns and manages tens of thousands of apartment units across the United States.
How Much Is the Atlanta Dream Worth
Forbes valued the Atlanta Dream at 190 million dollars in its 2025 rankings, though rapid league wide growth means that figure has likely continued climbing heading into the 2026 season.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.