Reaching the playoffs for the first time, the Sky lost in the conference semifinals to the Indiana Fever. Chatman finished a close second for Coach of the Year, Delle Donne narrowly missed the MVP award, and Fowles and Delle Donne were named to the All-WNBA first and second teams. Delle Donne was named Rookie of the Year, Fowles was named Defensive Player of the Year and led the league in rebounds, and teammate Swin Cash received the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award. Delle Donne became the first rookie to lead All-Star voting, averaging 18.1 points per game (fourth in the league) and leading the Sky to a 24-10 record and first place in the Eastern Conference. In the draft, they selected Elena Delle Donne with the second overall pick. The 2013 season was a turning point for the Sky. The Sky remained the only WNBA franchise to never make the playoffs. The Sky began the 2012 season 7-1, but finished 14–20 for the third consecutive season. Peddy and Carter were both eventually waived on May 14, 2012. The Sky selected Shey Peddy with the 23rd pick and Sydney Carter with the 27th pick in the 2012 WNBA draft. The Sky once again finished the season at 14-20 but were encouraged by going 10-7 at home. In 2011, the Sky were led again by Fowles, who averaged a double-double (20 points and 10.2 rebounds per game). Key resigned as GM and coach, and was replaced on October 28, 2010, by former LSU head coach Pokey Chatman. However, they lost eight of their final ten games and were eliminated from playoff contention, finishing with a 14–20 record. 500, just a few games back for the final playoff spot. At one point during the season, they were at. The team's roster underwent several changes, highlighted by the trading away of Candice Dupree and Kristi Toliver and the acquisition of Shameka Christon and Cathrine Kraayeveld. Assistant coach Steven Key was named head coach/general manager.Ģ011 home uniform, manufactured by AdidasĮntering the 2010 season, the Sky moved to Allstate Arena in the suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. On March 12, 2008, the Sky announced that Overton had resigned his position of coach/general manager. Price was named the 2007 WNBA Rookie of the Year. The team was vastly improved in the 2007 season, but still finished with a 14–20 record and were two games behind the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite having the highest odds of drawing the first pick in the 2007 WNBA draft lottery, the Sky ended up with the third overall pick, which they used to select Armintie Price. The Sky once again recorded a league-worst 5–29 record in 2006. University of Missouri-Kansas City women's head basketball coach Bo Overton was named the Sky's new head coach and general manager on December 12, 2006. After the season, head coach Dave Cowens resigned to join the coaching staff of the Detroit Pistons. In their first season, the Sky achieved a 5–29 record and finished last in the Eastern Conference. Early years and limited success (2006–2012) On February 28, 2006, the team announced that two of the minority shareholders of the team are Michelle Williams, from the vocal group Destiny's Child, and Mathew Knowles, father of Destiny's Child lead singer Beyoncé Knowles. Among the notable selections were Brooke Wyckoff from the Connecticut Sun, Bernadette Ngoyisa from the San Antonio Silver Stars, Elaine Powell from the Detroit Shock, and Stacey Dales (who had retired prior to the 2005 season) from the Washington Mystics.

In November 2005, the team held an expansion draft to help build its roster of players. Team President and CEO Margaret Stender explained the team colors of yellow and blue represent ' beautiful day in Chicago between the blue sky and bright sunlight to highlight the spectacular skyline.' The event was highlighted by the appearance of several star players, including Diana Taurasi, Temeka Johnson, Sue Bird, and Ruth Riley. On September 20, 2005, the team name and logo formally debuted at an introduction event held at the Adler Planetarium. On May 27, 2005, former NBA player and coach Dave Cowens was announced as the team's first head coach and general manager. In February 2005, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced that Chicago had been awarded a new WNBA franchise, temporarily named WNBA Chicago. 1.5 Return to the playoffs and first championship (2019–present)įranchise history Franchise origin.1.2 Early years and limited success (2006–2012).

Chicago sky roster