Chicago-area legend and two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker signed with the Chicago Sky. This is the biggest free agent signing ever for the Sky and one of the biggest in Chicago sports history.

Photo courtesy Chicago Sky – WNBA

How big is it? Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot led off the Welcome Home press conference. I cannot recall a Chicago mayor ever joining the celebration of a sports player acquisition.

In a city where the Sky rank a distant sixth behind the Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls and Blackhawks, Parker has made the Sky the talk of the town. Many local news outlets didn’t even report on last season’s Sky playoff run, but the Welcome Home Zoom press conference attracted more than 50 national and local reporters.

Parker was a prep star at Naperville Central High School west of Chicago before starring for the University of Tennessee, followed by 13 years with the Los Angeles Sparks. Along the way, Parker earned many awards, achievements and accolades.

The press conference was warm, fuzzy and lighthearted. Parker even joked about coming home for Chicago food favorites like Portillio’s, Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s. Parker made it clear her decision was about coming to Chicago, not leaving Los Angeles.

Being a long-time supporter of women’s sports, I knew this move was big, but even I underestimated how much attention it would get. Fans are already ordering Parker Sky jerseys and ordering Sky tickets. Hotels around Wintrust Arena, the Sky’s home, have already had reservation inquiries. Area restaurants and businesses started having various Parker Specials. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a Parker Burger on someone’s menu soon. Chicago sports talk often centers around which team will win the next championship. For the first time ever, the Sky is not only part of that conversation, it is the leading pick.

Getting a player like Parker is always a big score for a team. Getting a player with a huge marketing upside is an added bonus. Sky GM and coach James Wade hit the jackpot in bringing Parker home, and all of Chicago wins!

— John Wroblewski, online writer