Atlanta Dream GM Dan Padover Wins Record Third WNBA Executive of Year

Dan Padover, general manager of the Atlanta Dream, was named the 2025 WNBA Executive of the Year, marking his record third time winning the award and making him the first to achieve this distinction with multiple franchises. Padover, who previously won the award twice with the Las Vegas Aces in 2020 and 2021, was recognized for transforming the Dream into a perennial contender by reshaping the roster and front office. Key moves included hiring first-year head coach Karl Smesko, who significantly improved the team's offensive efficiency, and signing star free agents Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones. Under Padover’s leadership, Atlanta doubled its win total from the prior year to finish tied for second-best in the league with a 30-14 record and secured the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. The award was voted on by all WNBA general managers, and Padover received the most votes and first-place selections. He credited the award to the collective effort of the team’s owners, coaches, players, and staff who contributed to the Dream’s historic season.