WNBA news: Agreement reached for Chicago Sky to move from Rosemont to Chicago
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority has approved an agreement that would allow the Chicago Sky to move from nearby Rosemont, Ill. to within the city of Chicago for the 2018 season.
The Sky would move from Allstate Arena, the current home of DePaul men’s and women’s basketball, to Wintrust Arena, where the Blue Demons will begin play in 2017-18.
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The team’s agreement with the MPEA, which owns the arena, is for five years, and will allow the Sky to play all 17 home games there and host promotional events.
Wintrust Arena will be a new $173 million facility, located in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood. Construction began in late 2015, and the arena will hold 10,387 seats for basketball games.
In a press release, Chicago mayor Rahm Emmanuel welcomed the Sky to their new, more geographically appropriate home:
"“This move by the Chicago Sky will mean jobs and economic opportunities in Bronzeville and across our neighborhoods,” Mayor Emanuel said. “On behalf of basketball fans across the city, we want to welcome the Chicago Sky to their new home right here in Chicago.”"
This season, the Sky have struggled to draw people out to Rosemont, bringing in just 7,068 fans per game. That ranks seventh in the 12-team league, and is heavily skewed by their 14,102 fan showing on July 12 against the Wings.