Chicago Sky Issue Emerges After WNBA's Controversial Decision

This expansion would include a franchise in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2028, one in Detroit, Michigan, in 2029 and another in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2030. The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant, however, feels that this is the wrong decision for the league.

Merchant wrote that Chicago, among other teams, is reportedly considered behind in the player experience department. The WNBA is being called to address these issues amid its controversial decision to prioritize expansion over bettering current teams.

"Looking around the league, current franchises in Connecticut, Los Angeles and Chicago lag behind an acceptable standard of player experience and practice facilities," Merchant wrote. "Before bringing in expansion teams, the WNBA should make sure its existing organizations can handle the demands of this new era. The optics of expansion are better than relocation, but throwing energy and resources behind new teams instead of old doesn’t solve the WNBA’s problems."

During the 2025 season, the Golden State Valkyries became the league's first expansion team since the Atlanta Dream in 2008. The Toronto Tempo and Portland expansion team are both slated to begin play during the 2026 campaign. 

The Sky will resume their season on Sunday against the Lynx. The game will take place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.