ATLANTA — Two professional basketball games on the same day in the same arena! On Thursday, State Farm Arena will host both the Atlanta Dream and Game 6 of the WNBA Finals and the Atlanta Hawks.
This is only the second time in the venue’s history that this has happened.
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It’s one of downtown Atlanta’s precious gems. Amanda Mann is the jeweler.
“I’ve faced some challenges, that’s for sure. But this is a unique one,” said Mann, State Farm Arena’s chief facilities officer.
On Thursday, State Farm will host two professional basketball games on the same day. The Atlanta Dream will play in Game 6 of the WNBA Finals. Tip-off is at 12:30 p.m.
Then, at 8 p.m., the Atlanta Hawks take the court for the sixth game of the new season.
“How much popcorn ends up on the floor that you have to pick up?” Channel 2’s Berndt Petersen asked.
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“Ha! Popcorn, hot dogs, beer, water—we have a lot. Every row. Every seat in the house we have to clean up,” Mann said.
And it must be done in record time. This has happened only once before. Last Saturday, shortly after the final buzzer of the Dream game, arena cleanup commenced. At the same time, crews tackled what’s called a complete court changeout. The Dream and the Hawks each have their very own floor.
A staff of 2,500, hundreds more than are required for one game, will be needed to handle two.
“For them to be going to Game 6 of the WNBA Finals is a huge thing for this city, for them, and this arena. We’re so proud to be hosting it, and to do that without impacting the Hawks is something we’re proud of. It’s really special,” Mann said.
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