Earlier this summer, The Athletic released a survey in which WNBA players anonymously answered that the Chicago Sky was the worst-run organization in the league.
Looking at the product on the floor proves their point. The Sky are poised to finish their worst season on record since the franchise’s first year of existence in 2006 when they went 5-29. One of those who saw the writing on the wall was none other than All-Star forward Angel Reese. As a result, she felt the need to weigh in on the state
of affairs in an interview with Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune last Thursday. Reese stated:
I’m not settling for the same sh*t we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me. I’m willing and wanting to play with the best. And however I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going to do this offseason.
So it’s going to be very, very important this offseason to make sure we attract the best of the best because we can’t settle for what we have this year.
The two-time All-Star and No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft hinted that she might consider leaving, sharing:
I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me. But while I am here, I’m going to try to stay open-minded about what I have here and maximize that as much as I can.
Afterward, the sh*t hit the fan. Some celebrated Reese’s analysis, seeing her as a star player wanting what is best for her career and her team. Others accused her of throwing her teammates under the bus. Reese later apologized for any confusion during the postgame press conference after Sky’s 88-64 win over the Connecticut Sun, saying:
I probably am frustrated with myself right now. I think the language was taken out of context and I really didn’t intentionally mean to put down my teammates because they’ve been through this with me throughout the whole year. I just have to be better with my language because I know it’s not the message, it’s the messenger. And understanding what I say can be taken any type of way. So, I just have to be better and grow from this.
However, it wasn’t enough for the Sky as they suspended her for the first half of the Sky’s 80-66 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. The team released a statement on Friday that read:
The Chicago Sky values the safety, respect, and well-being of every player. We are committed to accountability so our players can stay focused on playing basketball.
This matter has been handled and resolved internally, and we are moving forward as a team.
But, are the Sky really ready to move on from this dismal season and put in the work to truly rebuild? Or, is Reese prepared to move on?
This offseason will be crucial to see if the Sky are serious about building for the future. Around 60 players in the league are set to become free agents. Reese’s rookie contract doesn’t expire until after the 2027 season; however, she can request a trade in the offseason to another team. If Reese ends up wanting to get out of dodge, frankly, who could blame her?
She should not have to bear the burden of playing for an organization that has failed to catch up with the rest of the league. Since 2006, the Sky have been owned by Michael Alter of the Alter Group, a commercial real estate firm. His tenure has been defined by inadequate support, mismanagement, roster and staff turnover and questionable decisions, just to name a few of the issues.
The Sky are still practicing at the Sachs Recreation Center in Deerfield, IL, which is open to the public. Basically, a space equivalent to that of the YMCA. The debut of their new practice facility in Bedford Park has been pushed back to 2026 as opposed to this year. While some elements, such as loan approvals and expanding the project by 50 percent to include additional space, are understandable, the Sky are still behind other organizations that have state-of-the-art practice facilities. Plus, those teams have billionaire NBA owners investing their money, making the Sky one of the only remaining independently-run WNBA franchises.
Then, there is the fact that players and coaches have come and gone. The core responsible for the 2021 championship team, from Candace Parker to Kahleah Copper, left. Head coach James Wade, who led the team to the title in 2021, left to become an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors in 2023. In 2024, Teresa Weatherspoon abruptly was let go after just one season as head coach. Current head coach Tyler Marsh was brought in for his background in player development, as well as his emphasis on offensive production, but he didn’t have much head coaching experience, which has been criticized.
Then, there are some questionable moves. In 2023, the Sky traded Marina Mabrey to the Sun in exchange for Rachel Banham and Moriah Jefferson. They received a 2025 first-round draft pick and a 2026 first-round draft pick swap in the deal, restocking the draft capital they lost in the original acquisition of Mabrey. However, the decision was later panned because the team lost a key offensive and shooting weapon.
This year, the Sky gave up the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 draft to the Washington Mystics in exchange for veteran guard Ariel Atkins. The Mystics ended up drafting Sonia Citron, a Rookie of the Year candidate. Atkins, while still a considerably decent player, has battled injuries and had to play out of position as the team’s primary ball handler. Furthermore, to acquire Hailey Van Lith with the No.11 pick in this year’s draft, the Sky gave the Minnesota Lynx complete ownership of their 2026 first-round pick, opening the door for the Lynx to snatch up a top-tier talent in the lottery. Then, there is the underdevelopment of younger players such as Van Lith and Maddy Westbeld.
All in all, the Chicago Sky’s ownership has the mindset of here and now rather than long-term. And look at where that has gotten them.
So, it shouldn’t be an insult to your organization when your star player is saying she isn’t happy and wants to see things get better. It should be a wake-up call because if the Sky lose Angel Reese, they may well have lost it all.
Reese is the straw that stirs the drink for women’s basketball in Chicago. The team would be wise to keep the glass full.
