TheChicago Sky is an American professionalbasketball team based inChicago. The Sky compete in theWomen's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of theEastern Conference. The franchise was founded prior to the2006 season. The Sky experienced a period of success from 2013 to 2016, making four playoff appearances and playing in the2014 WNBA Finals. They experienced a second period of success from 2019 to 2022 and won their first championship in the2021 WNBA Finals.
The team is owned byMichael J. Alter (principal owner) and Nadia Rawlinson (co-owner & chairman). Unlike many other WNBA teams, it is not affiliated with aNational Basketball Association (NBA) counterpart, although theChicago Bulls play in the same market.
In February 2005, NBA CommissionerDavid Stern announced that Chicago had been awarded a new WNBA franchise, temporarily namedWNBA Chicago. On May 27, 2005, formerNBA player and coachDave Cowens was announced as the team's first head coach and general manager. The team home would be theUIC Pavilion. On September 20, 2005, the team name and logo formally debuted at an introduction event held at theAdler Planetarium. Team President andCEOMargaret Stender explained the team colors of yellow and blue represent "[a] beautiful day in Chicago between the bluesky and brightsunlight to highlight the spectacular skyline."[1] The event was highlighted by the appearance of several star players, includingDiana Taurasi,Temeka Johnson,Sue Bird, andRuth Riley.[8]
Despite having the highest odds of drawing the first pick in the2007 WNBA draft lottery, the Sky ended up with the third overall pick, which they used to selectArmintie Price. The team was vastly improved in the2007 season, but still finished with a 14–20 record and were two games behind the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Price was named the 2007WNBA Rookie of the Year. On March 12, 2008, the Sky announced that Overton had resigned his position of coach/general manager amid harassment allegations. Assistant coachSteven Key was named head coach/general manager.[13]
With the second overall pick in the2008 WNBA draft, the Sky selectedSylvia Fowles. In the2008 season, the Sky once again failed to make the playoffs, posting a 12–22 record and finishing 5th in the East, as Fowles missed 17 games due to a knee injury.[14]
In the2009 WNBA draft, the Sky selected point guardKristi Toliver with the third overall pick. In the2009 season, the Sky contended for a playoff position, but finished with a record of 16-18 and lost a three-team tiebreaker to theWashington Mystics for the final playoff position.
Entering the2010 season, the Sky moved toAllstate Arena in the suburb ofRosemont, Illinois. In the2010 WNBA draft, the Sky selectedEpiphanny Prince fourth overall. The team's roster underwent several changes, highlighted by the trades of Toliver[15] and Dupree, and the acquisition ofShameka Christon andCathrine Kraayeveld.[16] At one point during the season, they were at .500, just a few games back for the final playoff spot. However, they lost eight of their final ten games and were eliminated from playoff contention, finishing with a 14–20 record. Key resigned as GM and coach, and was replaced on October 28, 2010, by formerLSU head coachPokey Chatman.[17]
In the2011 WNBA draft, the Sky selectedCourtney Vandersloot as the third overall pick. During the2011 season, the team was once again led by Fowles, who averaged adouble-double with 20 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, and was namedDefensive Player of the Year. The Sky finished the season with a 14–20 record for the second year in a row but were encouraged by going 10–7 at home.[18][19]
Before the2012 season, the Sky focused on adding more experience, signing former championsTicha Penicheiro andRuth Riley, and trading the second pick in the2012 WNBA draft in exchange forSwin Cash andLe'Coe Willingham. The Sky began the season 7–1, but an injury to Prince derailed the team, which ultimately finished 14–20 for the third consecutive year.[20][21]
The2013 season was a turning point for the Sky. Inthe draft, they selectedElena Delle Donne with the second overall pick. Delle Donne became the first rookie to leadAll-Star voting, averaging 18.1 points per game (fourth in the league) and leading the Sky to a 24–10 record and first place in the Eastern Conference. Delle Donne was named Rookie of the Year, Fowles was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second time andled the league in rebounds, and Cash received theKim Perrot Sportsmanship Award. Chatman finished a close second forCoach of the Year, Delle Donne narrowly missed theMost Valuable Player award, and Fowles and Delle Donne were named to theAll-WNBA first and second teams. Reaching the playoffs for the first time, the Sky lost in the conference semifinals to theIndiana Fever.[22]
In the2014 season, the Sky posted an unimpressive 15–19 regular season record, but qualified for the playoffs as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference. GuardAllie Quigley, who had grown up in nearbyJoliet, Illinois, was namedSixth Woman of the Year.[23] In the playoffs, they won two best-of-three series in the conference semifinals and finals to reach theWNBA Finals for the first time. In the best-of-five series, they were swept by thePhoenix Mercury in three games.[24]
In February 2015, the Sky acquired Chicago nativeCappie Pondexter from theNew York Liberty in a straight-up trade for Prince. Fowles, who had refused to sign a contract extension,[25] sat out the first half of the2015 season until she was traded in a three-team deal that sentÉrika de Souza to the Sky.[26] The team posted a 21–13 record and earned second place in the Eastern Conference. Delle Donne was named the league's MVP, Vanderslootled the league in assists, and Quigley was once again named Sixth Woman of the Year. Despite their improved regular season performance, the Sky fell to the Indiana Fever in the conference semifinals.[27]
In the2016 season, under the WNBA's new playoff format where teams were seeded regardless of conference, the Sky finished 4th in the league and returned to the playoffs. Missing the injured Delle Donne in the postseason, they lost 3–1 in the semifinals to theLos Angeles Sparks.[28]
The Sky hiredAmber Stocks as head coach and general manager, replacing Chatman, on December 6, 2016.[29] During the 2016–17 offseason, in what was called one of the biggest trades in league history, the Sky traded Delle Donne to theWashington Mystics, receivingKahleah Copper,Stefanie Dolson, and the Mystics' second overall pick (turned intoAlaina Coates) in the2017 WNBA draft.[30] In the2017 season, the Sky posted a 12–22 record and missed the playoffs for the first time in five seasons.[31]
Before the2018 season, the Sky moved their home games toWintrust Arena.[32] In the2018 WNBA draft, the Sky selectedDiamond DeShields andGabby Williams in the first round. The team posted a 13–21 record and missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season. On August 31, 2018, the Sky relieved Stocks as head coach and general manager.[33] During these seasons, Vanderslootled the league in assists (setting a new assists-per-game record in 2017) and Quigley won back-to-backThree-Point Contests at the All-Star Game.
Return to the playoffs and first championship (2019–22)
In November 2018, the Sky hiredJames Wade as the team's new head coach and general manager.[34] The Sky selectedKatie Lou Samuelson in the first round of the2019 WNBA draft and traded away Coates. The2019 season would be a turnaround for the Sky, as they finished with a 20–14 record and entered the playoffs as a fifth seed. Wade received the Coach of the Year Award, and Vandersloot exceeded her own assists-per-game record for the second straight season. Vandersloot, Quigley, and DeShields were all namedAll-Stars, and DeShields won the All-Star Game Skills Challenge. In the playoffs, they defeated thePhoenix Mercury in the first round, but then lost to theLas Vegas Aces on the road on a buzzer-beater in the final seconds.[35]
In the2020 season, which was shortened and held in a bubble inBradenton, Florida due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the Sky showed promise early in the season but battled injuries and ended the season with a sixth-seeded 12–10 record. They lost a first round single-elimination game to the Phoenix Mercury.[36]
On February 1, 2021, the Sky announced the signing of free agentCandace Parker, a two-time MVP andFinals MVP. Parker, who had grown up inNaperville, Illinois and played her first 12 seasons in the league with theLos Angeles Sparks, stated that she wanted to return to her hometown team.[37] The Sky had a volatile2021 season, including a seven-game losing streak and a seven-game winning streak, which they ended with a 16–16 record.[38] They entered the playoffs as the 6th seed, winning two single-elimination games and a semifinals series against theConnecticut Sun on their way to the Finals. On October 17, 2021, the Sky won their first WNBA Championship after defeating the Phoenix Mercury 3–1 in the2021 WNBA Finals. Kahleah Copper was named the Finals MVP. A parade and rally to celebrate the team were held on October 19, 2021.[39] Since the new playoff format was adopted, the Sky became the lowest-seeded team and first team without a winning record to win the championship.
In the offseason, longtime center Dolson left the team in free agency and the Sky added former Finals MVPEmma Meesseman.[40] The team's success continued in the2022 season, posting a 26–10 record and earning the second seed. The Sky also appeared in theWNBA Commissioner's Cup, hosting the game but losing to theLas Vegas Aces. In the playoffs, the Sky defeated theNew York Liberty in the first round, but lost in the semifinals to theConnecticut Sun.[41]
Rebuilding and roster and coaching changes (2023–present)
The2023 season marked a period of significant change for the Sky, with many longtime players departing in free agency, including Vandersloot, Quigley,Azurá Stevens, and Parker. Centered on Copper and new roster additions includingMarina Mabrey,Courtney Williams,Elizabeth Williams, andAlanna Smith, the team's record hovered around .500 for much of the season. In July, head coach James Wade announced his resignation to take an assistant coaching position with theNBA'sToronto Raptors.[42] Assistant coachEmre Vatansever served as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The team finished as the eighth-seed with a 18–22 record and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eventual championLas Vegas Aces.[43]
In October 2023, the Sky namedTeresa Weatherspoon as the new head coach and Jeff Pagliocca as the new general manager.[44] In another turbulent offseason, starters Courtney Williams and Smith left the team in free agency, and Copper was traded to the Mercury.[45] Through various trades, the Sky eventually acquired the third and seventh pick in the2024 WNBA draft, selectingKamilla Cardoso andAngel Reese.[46] The Sky had a solid start to the2024 season and went into the Olympic break in eighth place with a 10–14 record. During the break, Mabrey was traded to the Sun.[47] The Sky ultimately finished 10th with a 13–27 record and failed to make the playoffs. After the season, Weatherspoon was fired.[48]
In November 2024,Tyler Marsh was named the new head coach.[49] In the offseason, Vandersloot returned to the team as a free agent, and the Sky traded their third overall pick in the2025 WNBA draft to the Mystics in exchange forAriel Atkins.[50] The 2025 season was a difficult one for the Sky, who finished with a league-worst 10–34 record—their worst result since the franchise'sinaugural season.[51] They started the year 3–10 and struggled to find consistency due to injuries and player absences, including extended stretches without their top three players: Vandersloot, who played only seven games;[52] Atkins, who missed seven games; and Reese, who sat out more than 10 games.[53] At the All-Star break, the Sky stood at 7–16, with frequent lineup changes and an unsettled rotation contributing to their lack of momentum. The season was also marked by controversy when, in early September, Reese voiced her frustration in an interview with theChicago Tribune, calling for major roster upgrades and hinting she may leave if the team's outlook doesn’t improve.[54][55] The organization responded by suspending her for half a game due to "statements detrimental to the team,"[56] a move widely criticized by fans and seen as disproportionate.[57][58] Reese, who averaged 14.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.5 steals,led the WNBA in rebounding for the second year straight and made her secondAll-Star appearance. Despite the team’s struggles, both Reese and Cardoso (13.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists) showed promising individual growth, but the relationship between the front office and its players remains uncertain heading into next season.[59][60]
2006–2010: At home, white with light blue on the sides. Collar is light blue. On the road, light blue with gold on the sides. Collar is gold.
2011–2012: At home, white with light blue stripes on the sides. Collar is light blue. On the road, light blue with gold stripes on the sides. Collar is gold. In addition, both the home and away uniforms feature the team nickname and numbers in gold.
2013–2014: A new number and name font was introduced, while the basic uniform design was retained.
2015:Magellan Corporation introduced as new Jersey sponsor. Unlike most teams with jersey sponsors, the Sky opted to emblazon the Magellan logo on the left shoulder in place of the team's alternate logo.
2016: As part of a league-wide initiative, all games featured all-color uniform matchups. Therefore, the Sky unveiled a gold uniform in addition to their regular light blue road uniform. Magellan was retained as the uniform sponsor.
Skye the Lioness is the mascot of the Sky. The team introduced Skye the Lioness on August 26, 2024.[62] This replaced the team’s previous mascot, “Sky Guy”. The choice of a lioness was inspired bythe famed lion sculptures adorning the main entrance ofbuilding of theArt Institute of Chicago.[63][64]
The mascot character was designed under the direction of Chicago Sky CMO Tania Haladner and designed by the mascot designer Tom Sapp and the team at Real Characters Inc,[65] who have created other mascots for teams including thePortland Trail Blazers, theUniversity of Florida, and theDenver Nuggets.[66] Its debut game was August 28, 2024, at the Wintrust arena.[65] The team's legacy mascot, Sky Guy, remained through the 2024 season to support Skye the Lioness' debut.[65]
The Sky was on radio for two seasons on WVON-AM 1690 with Les Grobstein on play-by-play and Tajua Catchings (whose sisterTamika Catchings is a star with the Indiana Fever) handling color. After 2008, WVON did not carry games any longer over a financial disagreement, and the Sky has not been on radio since. The radio broadcast of their home games were online during the 2008 season, but never since.
June 29, 2006: The Sky traded Ashley Robinson to the Seattle Storm in exchange for Cisti Greenwalt and a second-round pick in the 2007 Draft.
March 23, 2007: The Sky traded Chelsea Newton and the 21st pick in the 2007 Draft to the Sacramento Monarchs for the 10th pick in the 2007 Draft.
May 24, 2007: The Sky traded Monique Currie to the Washington Mystics in exchange for Chasity Melvin.
August 12, 2009: The Sky traded Armintie Price to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for Tamera Young.
March 30, 2010: The Sky traded Candice Dupree to the Phoenix Mercury and a second-round pick in the 2010 Draft to the New York Liberty in exchange for Shameka Christon and Cathrine Kraayeveld from New York. New York also received Cappie Pondexter and Kelly Mazzante from Phoenix.
May 13, 2010: The Sky traded Kristi Toliver to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2011 Draft.
April 20, 2011: The Sky traded Jia Perkins to the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for Michelle Snow.
June 1, 2011: The Sky traded a second-round pick in the 2012 Draft to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton.
January 2, 2012: The Sky traded the second pick in the 2012 Draft to the Seattle Storm in exchange for Swin Cash, Le'coe Willingham, and the 23rd pick in the 2012 Draft.
March 14, 2012: The Sky traded a third-round pick in the 2013 Draft to the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for Sonja Petrovic.
May 7, 2014: The Sky traded Swin Cash to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for Courtney Clements.
February 16, 2015: The Sky traded Epiphanny Prince to the New York Liberty in exchange for Cappie Pondexter.
July 27, 2015: The Sky traded Sylvia Fowles and a second-round pick in the 2016 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Erika de Souza from Atlanta. Atlanta also received Damaris Dantas, Reshanda Gray, and a first-round pick in the 2016 Draft from Minnesota.
February 2, 2017: The Sky traded Elena Delle Donne to the Washington Mystics in exchange for Kahleah Copper, Stefanie Dolson, and the #2 overall pick in the 2017 Draft.
February 27, 2017: The Sky traded Clarissa Dos Santos to the San Antonio Stars in exchange for Astou Ndour.
May 20, 2019: The Sky traded their second round pick in the 2020 Draft to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Jantel Lavender.
May 21, 2019: The Sky traded Alaina Coates to Minnesota in exchange for Minnesota's third round pick in the 2020 Draft.
February 12, 2020: The Sky traded Astou Ndour to Dallas in exchange for Dallas' first round pick in the 2021 Draft.
February 12, 2020: The Sky traded Kaite Lou Samuelson and a first round pick in the 2021 Draft in exchange for Azurá Stevens.
February 9, 2021: The Sky traded their second round pick in the 2022 Draft for the 16th pick in the 2021 Draft (from Dallas).
May 9, 2021: The Sky traded Gabby Williams to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Stephanie Watts and the rights to Leonie Fiebich.
June 2, 2021: The Sky traded, Shyla Heal, their third round pick in the 2022 Draft, and the option to swap pick positions in the first round of the 2022 Draft to the Dallas Wings in exchange for Dana Evans.
February 3, 2022: The Sky traded Diamond DeShields to Phoenix in exchange for Julie Allemand and the Phoenix Mercury's 2023 first round pick.
March 20, 2022: The Sky traded Lexie Brown to Los Angeles in exchange for Li Yueru.
February 11, 2023: The Sky traded the rights to Leonie Fiebich, their 1st round pick in the 2023 Draft, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks in the 2024 Draft, and 2nd round pick in the 2025 Draft to acquire Marina Mabrey in a four team trade.
February 6, 2024: The Sky traded Kahleah Copper, the rights to Morgan Bertsch, to acquire Brianna Turner, Michaela Onyenwere, the third pick in the 2024 Draft, their own 2025 second round draft pick, Phoenix's 2026 first round draft pick, and the right to swap 2026 second round picks with Phoenix.
February 19, 2024: The Sky traded Julie Allemand and the rights to Li Yueru in exchange for the 8th pick in the 2024 Draft.
March 14, 2024: The Sky traded Rebekah Gardner in exchange for New York's 2025 and 2026 second round draft picks.
April 14, 2024: The Sky traded Skia Koné, the 8th pick in the 2024 Draft, their 2025 second round draft pick, and the right to swap first round picks in the 2026 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for the 7th pick in the 2024 Draft and the rights to Nikolina Milić.
July 17, 2024: The Sky traded Marina Mabrey and their second round pick in the 2025 Draft in exchange for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, Connecticut's 2025 first round draft pick, and the right to swap 2026 first round draft picks with the Sun.
February 4, 2025: The Sky traded Lindsay Allen and the rights to Nikolina Milić in exchange for Rebecca Allen.
February 7, 2025: The Sky traded Dana Evans in exchange for the 16th and 22nd picks in the 2025 Draft.
February 23, 2025: The Sky traded the third pick in the 2025 Draft, their 2027 second round draft pick and the right to swap 2027 first round picks with the Washington Mystics in exchange for Ariel Atkins.
April 13, 2025: The Sky traded their 2026 first round draft pick and extinguished the rights to swap first round picks with Minnesota in exchange for the eleventh pick of the 2025 Draft.
2025 Chicago Sky season
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