Chicago Sky

The Chicago Sky are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, competing in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Eastern Conference. Founded before the 2006 season, the Sky are one of the league's younger franchises. Unlike most WNBA teams, the Sky are not affiliated with an NBA counterpart, though the Chicago Bulls play in the same market. The team is owned by Michael J. Alter, with Nadia Rawlinson serving as co-owner and chairman.

The Sky play their home games at Wintrust Arena, a venue located in Chicago's Near South Side. The team has undergone several venue changes since its inception, previously playing at Allstate Arena and Credit Union 1 Arena. The franchise has cultivated a passionate fan base known for creating a lively atmosphere at home games, with the official fan group, the Sky Crew, organizing tifo displays and chants.

The Sky experienced their first sustained success from 2013 to 2016, making four consecutive playoff appearances and reaching the WNBA Finals in 2014. Their greatest achievement came in 2021, when they won their first WNBA championship. The team returned to the Finals in 2022 but fell to the Las Vegas Aces. The 2024 season marked a rebuilding phase, with the team finishing 13-27 and missing the playoffs.[edit]

The Chicago Sky were founded as an expansion team in 2006, joining the WNBA along with the now-defunct Tulsa Shock. The early years were challenging, as the team missed the playoffs in each of its first seven seasons. In 2013, the Sky drafted Elena Delle Donne, who immediately transformed the franchise. Delle Donne won the league MVP in her rookie season, and the Sky reached the playoffs for the first time. The team advanced to the WNBA Finals in 2014, where they lost to the Phoenix Mercury in a three-game sweep.

After a brief decline, the Sky rebuilt around a core of Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, and Diamond DeShields. In 2021, the team acquired Candace Parker in free agency, a Chicago native who provided veteran leadership. The Sky defeated the Connecticut Sun in the semifinals and then beat the Phoenix Mercury in four games to win the franchise's first championship. Parker was named Finals MVP. The team returned to the Finals in 2022 but lost to the Las Vegas Aces. Following the 2022 season, key players departed, leading to a roster reset. The 2024 season saw the emergence of rookie Angel Reese, who set a WNBA record for consecutive double-doubles, and Kamilla Cardoso, the third overall pick. However, the team struggled with consistency and fired head coach Teresa Weatherspoon after one season, replacing her with Tyler Marsh for 2025.[edit]