If you need permission to watch “The Permission” (aka Atlanta Dream’s Rhyne Howard) try to keep her team’s WNBA championship dreams alive, Flavor Flav is here for you.
The rapper posted signed permission slips on social media Tuesday for everyone to be excused from work to watch Game 6 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday. The next match in the best-of-seven championship series between the Dream and the Golden State Valkyries will begin at 9:30 a.m. Pacific time that day, when most people are at work.
His name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr. In his statement on Instagram and Threads, Flav said, “Thursday is a paid holiday. Because Flavor Flav said so.” “Everyone should be able to watch Women’s Sports.”
The document, which includes a space for fans to fill in their own names, urges bosses to “go ahead and approve that day off” for the “very important” Game 6 of the WNBA Finals.
“You support women’s sports, right?!” the self-proclaimed “World’s Biggest Hype Man” wrote in the note. “Think of this as your contribution to gender equality.”
The Valkyries moved one game closer to the team’s first WNBA championship by winning Game 5 64-55 at home on Monday night at Chase Center. The Bay Area expansion team, led by head coach Natalie Nakase and known for its emphasis on defense, is in just its second season.
Flav’s note echoes the message Valkyries stars Veronica Burton and Kiah Stokes sent after Monday’s win to encourage fans to attend Game 6.
“Call in sick,” Burton said. “I recommend it.”
“You all know how to fake a cough,” Stokes added.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens also shared a statement on Threads on Tuesday asking employers and educators to “show some love and show some kindness” to those who applaud the Dream in their schools or during work hours.
“Lean into the historical moment, embrace the excitement, and let Atlanta come to Atlanta,” he wrote.
The WNBA announced Monday that Game 6 will be played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta with an earlier start time. The game was originally scheduled to be played at 5pm Pacific time but was rescheduled so it could be played in a larger arena. The 3rd and 4th games of the series were also moved to a larger venue.
The Dream normally play at the 3,500-seat Gateway Center Arena in College Park. State Farm Arena, which has a capacity of approximately 17,000 people for basketball matches, will host all Dream Home matches starting from the 2027 season.
The matinee timing for Game 6 is due to Atlanta’s NBA team, the Hawks, also being scheduled to play at State Farm Arena on Thursday. The team will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in regular season action at 5pm Pacific.
“Thank you for your cooperation and doing the right thing,” Flav wrote.