The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) has voted to approve an arena agreement bringing the Chicago Sky to the city of Chicago.
The Sky spent the last eight years at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, and will look to relocate to Wintrust Arena at McCormick Square in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago for the 2018 season. The team will retain the exclusive right to sell or license the broadcast rights with respect to all Sky basketball games at the Arena.
MPEA voted to approve the Chicago Sky on a five-year agreement, which includes the Sky playing all 17 home games at the the 10,387-seat Wintrust Arena as well as promotional events. The venue's anchor tenants are the DePaul University men's and women's basketball teams, which are expected to host more than 20 games at the new arena.
PRESS RELEASE: MPEA Votes to Approve Agreement to Move the Chicago Sky to Chicago
CHICAGO — The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority ( MPEA ) has voted to approve an arena agreement bringing the Chicago Sky to the city of Chicago. The Sky spent the last eight years at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, and will look to relocate to Wintrust Arena at McCormick Square in the booming, South Loop neighborhood of Chicago for the 2018 season.
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 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."
About the Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky, led by General Manager & Head Coach, Amber Stocks, are one of twelve teams in the Women's National Basketball League ( WNBA ). The Sky are one of six teams to compete in the WNBA's Eastern Conference. Since the team's inception, the Sky have played their home games at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Allstate Arena in Rosemont and Wintrust Arena in Chicago starting the 2018 season. The regular WNBA season runs from May to September, with the playoffs concluding by the end of September. Don't miss a minute of the action in 2017. Purchase your single-game tickets starting as low as $18 by calling 866.SKY.WNBA or visit www.chicagosky.net .
About McCormick Square
The McCormick Square campus features McCormick Place — the largest exhibition and meeting facility in North America — which offers 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, 173 meeting rooms, one of the largest ballrooms in the world, the 1,258-room Hyatt Regency and the 4,249-seat Arie Crown Theater. Located on Chicago's lakefront just minutes from downtown, McCormick Place is owned the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and is managed by SMG, a worldwide convention management company. In the fall of 2017, the existing facilities will be joined by the 10,387-seat Wintrust Arena and the 1,205-room Marriott Marquis Chicago.
