What Happened to Chicago Sky?
The Chicago Sky is a professional women's basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, competing in the WNBA. Founded in 2005, the franchise achieved its pinnacle by winning its first WNBA Championship in 2021. Following a period of significant roster and coaching changes, including a major overhaul for the 2026 season, the team is currently navigating a rebuilding phase while also dealing with an ownership dispute and recent controversies.
Quick Answer
The Chicago Sky, a WNBA franchise founded in 2005, won its first WNBA Championship in 2021. After key player departures and coaching changes, the team underwent significant roster overhauls in 2024 and 2026, including drafting high-profile rookies and trading star players like Angel Reese. As of August 2026, the Sky are in their second season under Head Coach Tyler Marsh, with an ongoing ownership dispute and a recent incident leading to the banning of Enes Kanter Freedom from home games.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Franchise Name and Logo Debuted
The team name 'Chicago Sky' and its logo were formally introduced at the Adler Planetarium, with colors representing Chicago's blue sky and bright sunlight.
Inaugural WNBA Season
The Chicago Sky played their first WNBA season, finishing with a 5-29 record.
First Playoff Appearance and Elena Delle Donne Drafted
The Sky drafted Elena Delle Donne with the second overall pick, and she led the team to its first playoff appearance, finishing 24-10.
First WNBA Finals Appearance
The Chicago Sky reached the WNBA Finals for the first time, ultimately losing the championship.
James Wade Hired as Head Coach and GM
James Wade was hired as the team's new head coach and general manager, beginning a successful era for the franchise.
Candace Parker Signs with Sky
Two-time league MVP Candace Parker signed a two-year contract with her hometown team, significantly boosting their championship aspirations.
Chicago Sky Win First WNBA Championship
The Sky defeated the Phoenix Mercury 3-1 in the WNBA Finals, securing the franchise's first-ever championship. Kahleah Copper was named Finals MVP.
Teresa Weatherspoon Hired as Head Coach
The Sky hired Teresa Weatherspoon as head coach and Jeff Pagliocca as general manager, separating the roles for the first time.
Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese Drafted
In the 2024 WNBA Draft, the Sky selected high-profile college stars Kamilla Cardoso (3rd pick) and Angel Reese (7th pick), signaling a new era of young talent.
End of 2024 Season; Weatherspoon Fired
The Sky finished the 2024 season with a 13-27 record, missing the playoffs, and subsequently fired Head Coach Teresa Weatherspoon.
Tyler Marsh Hired as Head Coach
Tyler Marsh was hired as the Chicago Sky's new head coach for the 2025 season.
Courtney Vandersloot Suffers ACL Tear
Newly signed guard Courtney Vandersloot sustained a right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear during a game and missed the remainder of the 2025 season.
Ownership Lawsuit Begins
An ownership dispute involving principal owner Michael Alter and minority investor Steven Rogers began in Cook County court, with Rogers alleging "self-dealing" transactions.
Major Roster Overhaul for 2026 Season
The Sky completed a significant roster overhaul, trading Angel Reese and signing veterans like Skylar Diggins, Natasha Cloud, and Azurá Stevens, aiming for a new team identity.
Chicago Hosts 2026 WNBA All-Star Game
Chicago is set to host the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game at the United Center, with related events at Wintrust Arena and McCormick Place.
Enes Kanter Freedom Banned from Home Games
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was banned from all Chicago Sky home games by owner Michael Alter after being ejected from a game against the Indiana Fever for provocative behavior.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Chicago Sky entered the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as an expansion team in 2006, initially struggling to find consistent success. The franchise, owned by Michael J. Alter, is notable for being one of the few WNBA teams not directly affiliated with an NBA counterpart. A turning point came in 2013 with the drafting of Elena Delle Donne, leading to their first playoff appearance and a WNBA Finals berth in 2014. However, a championship remained elusive in this period.
The team's fortunes dramatically shifted with the hiring of James Wade as head coach and general manager in 2018, and the subsequent signing of two-time league MVP Candace Parker in 2021. Despite a modest 16-16 regular-season record, the Sky, led by Parker and Finals MVP Kahleah Copper, made a memorable playoff run, defeating the Phoenix Mercury 3-1 to secure their first WNBA Championship on October 17, 2021. This victory marked a significant milestone, making them the lowest-seeded team and the first without a winning record to win the championship under the new playoff format.
Following their championship, the Sky continued to perform strongly in 2022, tying for the league's best record, but were upset in the playoffs, and Candace Parker departed in the offseason. This marked the beginning of a rebuilding phase. In October 2023, the team hired Teresa Weatherspoon as head coach and Jeff Pagliocca as general manager, separating the roles for the first time. The 2024 season saw the Sky draft highly anticipated college stars Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese, but despite a promising start, they finished 13-27 and missed the playoffs, leading to Weatherspoon's departure.
Tyler Marsh was appointed as the new head coach on November 3, 2024, ushering in another period of significant roster changes. The 2025 season was challenging, marked by allegations of inappropriate fan conduct during their season opener and a season-ending ACL injury to newly signed guard Courtney Vandersloot. The team finished with an expected 10-34 record. Heading into the 2026 season, the Sky underwent a third major roster overhaul, trading Angel Reese and acquiring veterans like Skylar Diggins, Natasha Cloud, and Azurá Stevens, alongside drafting Gabriela Jaquez, aiming for a more balanced and defensive identity. The team also announced Chicago would host the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game on July 25.
Currently, as of August 26, 2026, the Chicago Sky are in their 21st season and second under Coach Tyler Marsh. The franchise is also facing an ownership dispute, with a lawsuit filed in February 2026 by minority investor Steven Rogers against principal owner Michael Alter, alleging "self-dealing" transactions and questioning the team's operational standards amidst the league's rapid growth. Most recently, on August 26, 2026, former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom was banned from all Sky home games after being ejected from a game against the Indiana Fever for provocative behavior, with owner Michael Alter stating Freedom was a "potential threat". The Sky's current record is 15-24.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Chicago Sky made different choices?