Chicago has a new sports champion: The Chicago Sky beat the Phoenix Mercury to win the 2021 WNBA title, and I was among the packed house witnessing it.

The Sky joined the WNBA for the 2006 season. It experienced a few great seasons (2013–2016) but never won the championship. Since James Wade was brought in as general manager and coach in 2019, the team has been on the rise. When hometown native and future Hall of Fame player Candace Parker signed as a free agent before this season, I predicted a Sky championship.

Parker was hurt early in the season, and the team was inconsistent. There was a big difference when Parker played, and, once healthy, Parker led the Sky on a strong run through the playoffs, culminating in the 80–74 win Sunday.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Sky – WNBA.

On the way to the arena, I also visited The Bots, sculptures by David Weeks Studio, which stand outside Marriott Marquis. They are the perfect fun, playful sculptures to be by a sports arena.

I always enjoy arriving early for the games. There is just something about the serenity of an empty stadium that really gets to me. It is especially interesting juxtaposed to the craziness that will soon follow.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Sky – WNBA.

I have been a Sky fan from the beginning. I have been alone in the press row looking at sparse crowds. On Sunday, press row at Wintrust Arena was expanded to several sections, and the stands were packed. Suddenly, the Sky bandwagon is full.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Sky – WNBA.

I’m a bit torn on this. The players deserve all the attention possible. It’s refreshing to see so many folks wearing Sky gear. It would have been better to see all of these fans before the victory Champagne started flowing. Hopefully, this was a turning point and not just a temporary fascination until the next shiny thing comes along.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Sky – WNBA.

Championships don’t happen frequently in Chicago. In my life, I was present when the Wolves, a minor league hockey team, and the Chicago Bandits women’s pro softball team each won two championships. Now I add the Sky to that list.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Sky – WNBA.

I’ll be there next summer when the Sky start its defense of the 2021 title. Until then, I shall savor this day.

Photo courtesy of Johnny Sole.

— John Wroblewski, online writer