As the result of a vote taken earlier this week, the Chicago Sky will soon move to Wintrust Arena. The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) approved an agreement that will allow the team to begin playing at the venue for the 2018 WNBA season.
The Sky have spent the last eight years at Rosemont’s Allstate Arena. Allstate Arena is the former home of the DePaul Blue Demons, who are going to debut at Wintrust Arena this fall.
MPEA voted to approve the Chicago Sky on a 5-year agreement, which includes the Sky playing all 17 home games at the Wintrust Arena as well as promotional events. The Sky will receive revenue from ticket sales to events, sponsorship sales and sales of all Sky or WNBA-branded merchandise. MPEA will receive rent and all other concession revenues, parking revenue and ticketing fees. The Sky will retain the exclusive right to sell or license the broadcast rights with respect to all Sky basketball games at the Arena.
The Sky and their 17 home games add professional sports to the growing portfolio of the 10,387-seat Wintrust Arena, which is scheduled to open in September. Its anchor tenant is the DePaul University men’s and women’s basketball teams, which are expected to host more than 20 games at the new arena.
“This move by the Chicago Sky will mean jobs and economic opportunities in Bronzeville and across our neighborhoods,” mayor Rahm 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.”
