Chicago Sky Co-Owner Issues Strong Take About WNBA

When she got picked by the Chicago Sky as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, Angel Reese was expected to bring more attention and interest to the league because of her talent and personality.

That's exactly what she did.

The 22-year-old Reese, along with college rival and fellow rookie Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, added extra flavor to the WNBA. It was a perfect storm for the league amid its exponential surge and increasing media coverage.

It was recently reported that this year's playoffs generated the WNBA's highest ratings in 25 years. Gate attendance and merchandise sales throughout the season also saw unprecedented heights.

While the Sky missed the playoffs after a 13-27 win-loss record, team co-owner and operating chairperson Nadia Rawlinson touted the franchise's continued growth and the WNBA as a whole.

“We now have breathing room," said Rawlinson in a report by The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov and Ben Pickman . "Revenue is good. Growing the top line is good.

"People coming to games and selling out arenas, that’s fantastic."

The much-awaited match between the Sky and the Fever in June 2024, which aired on ESPN, averaged 2.35 million viewers —the most watched WNBA regular season game in 23 years.

With the entry of the Golden State Valkyries in 2025 and two more expansion teams from Toronto and Portland in 2026, the league will only get better.

"What has happened over the last 18 months has been nothing short of extraordinary,” beamed Rawlinson.

The Sky have a 17.8% chance to land the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft, with Connecticut star guard Paige Bueckers being touted as the top prospect.

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