Anonymous WNBA players didn't hold back about the Sky.
Chicago Sky Earn Embarrassing Honor From WNBA Players originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
In an anonymous survey recently conducted by "The Athletic" among WNBA players, the Chicago Sky found themselves topping a list no franchise wants to headline. The Sky were named the league’s worst-run organization, receiving 40.7% of the player votes.
This dubious distinction highlights ongoing issues within the franchise, particularly regarding its infrastructure and overall player experience.
Several anonymous players didn't mince words about their concerns. One player bluntly pointed out, “They don’t have a facility. It’s just a lot of the other stuff with them.”
Another underscored the ongoing instability, noting, “A lot of stuff always seems to be going on there.”
Perhaps most tellingly, a player criticized their practice conditions directly, stating, “They’re still practicing in a rec center. That’s not ideal.”
These pointed comments indicate deep-rooted frustrations that have been simmering beneath the surface for some time.
that one vote for the fever was caitlin #realpic.twitter.com/QQkwlOG2Gv
— cc akgae (@clrkszn) July 17, 2025
Currently, the Sky practice in conditions that lag significantly behind other teams. The contrast with franchises like the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty, both of which have invested heavily in state-of-the-art facilities and support systems, makes the Sky’s deficiencies even more glaring.
While the Mercury have a $100 million facility and the Liberty are preparing an $80 million complex, the Sky's facilities fall markedly short, contributing to their unenviable reputation.
Despite announcing plans for a new 40,000-square-foot, $38 million performance center due for completion in 2026, the Sky's existing infrastructure continues to be problematic.
Their current practice arrangement at a local recreation center, combined with instability stemming from frequent coaching changes, now employing their third permanent head coach in as many seasons, only compounds the organizational struggles.
Player dissatisfaction also encompasses issues related to travel logistics and team location. “The travel and location make it unappealing,” one player mentioned candidly, highlighting the broader systemic frustrations impacting player morale and recruitment.
The Sky’s current reputation among players is certainly concerning, given the league's competitive environment for talent and resources. As other franchises make significant strides in enhancing their infrastructure and player experience, Chicago risks falling further behind.
If Chicago hope to shed this embarrassing distinction and regain credibility, it will need to accelerate its investments, improve stability within its management and coaching structures, and decisively address players' concerns about its operational shortcomings.
Related: WNBA Players’ Favorite Expansion City Unfortunately Left Without a Team
Related: WNBA All-Star Replaced Four Days Before Facing Caitlin Clark’s Team
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
