Dan Padover Named 2025 WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year

The WNBA announced today that Atlanta Dream General Manager Dan Padover has been named the 2025 WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year, an honor voted on by his fellow general managers. Padover makes history as the first executive to capture the award with multiple franchises — and the first ever to earn it three times.

“None of this is possible without the support and leadership of our owners, Larry and Robyn Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, and Renee Montgomery,” Padover said. “They’ve entrusted me to help shape the future of the Dream, and I’m grateful for their vision and partnership. I also want to thank our coaches, players, and staff — all extremely talented, hardworking, and selfless teammates who make this organization so special.”

Dream majority owner Larry Gottesdiener praised Padover’s impact. “Dan and I shared a vision and philosophy from our first meeting: to create a values-based culture, to rebuild in a thoughtful and disciplined way, and to establish a perennial contender. Our performance this year proves that we are well on our way to achieving those goals.”

Padover previously earned the award twice with the Las Vegas Aces (2020, 2021) before joining the Dream. Since his arrival, he has reshaped both the roster and front office, transforming Atlanta into one of the league’s most dynamic and forward-thinking organizations.

This season was proof of his vision. Padover engineered a transformative free agency period, signing perennial All-Stars Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones to bolster a core anchored by Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, 2025 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon, and rookie guard Te-Hina Paopao — all brought to Atlanta through his moves in the draft, trades, or free agency.

His success has also been powered by collaboration. Padover’s partnership with Assistant GM Brooklyn Cartwright has been central to executing the Dream’s strategy, while Head Coach Karl Smesko delivered a record-setting 30-win season in his first year on the sidelines. Together, they’ve established the Dream not only as a contender, but as a true destination for top free agents.

Dan Padover’s third Executive of the Year honor is more than a personal milestone — it’s a symbol of Atlanta’s rise. The Dream are here, built for now and built for the future.