Chicago Sky Face Training Facility Setback, But Hopeful for a Rebound in 2025 WNBA Season

As the 2025 WNBA season approaches, anticipation is building across the league. Training camps are set to open on Sunday, with regular-season tip-off scheduled for May 16. Among the teams looking to make a statement this year is the Chicago Sky, a franchise that was constantly in the spotlight last season—even if not always for the right reasons.

Coming off a disappointing 13–27 campaign in 2024, the Sky missed the playoffs and finished the year on a five-game losing streak. Despite struggles on the court, the team remained a major talking point, thanks in part to its young core of rising stars and developments off the court. Now, as the Sky aim to turn the page, they face a new challenge: a delay in the completion of their highly anticipated new training facility.

$38 Million Facility Postponed Until 2026

In a report posted Monday morning, Chicago Tribune beat writer Julia Poe revealed that the Sky’s $38 million training complex in Bedford Park will not be completed until sometime in 2026. Originally expected to open by October 2025, the delay is due to significant additions being made to the project’s design—although details about those additions have yet to be made public.

While the delay comes as a blow to the franchise’s organizational goals, Poe noted that the team still expects the facility to be operational by the start of the 2026 training camp.

The new facility was intended to provide the Sky with a dedicated home base, reflecting the franchise’s commitment to investing in its future. The state-of-the-art complex is designed to include practice courts, strength and conditioning areas, recovery suites, and team offices. It also represents a shift in the WNBA, where teams are increasingly investing in infrastructure to support long-term competitiveness.

On the Court: A New Era Led by Angel Reese and Hailey Van Lith

Despite the setback off the court, the Sky remain optimistic about their on-court potential this season. All eyes will be on second-year forward Angel Reese, who made an immediate impact in her rookie campaign. Reese appeared in all 34 games for the Sky in 2024, averaging 13.6 points and leading the WNBA with an impressive 13.1 rebounds per game. Her physicality, relentless energy, and ability to dominate the paint have positioned her as one of the league’s most promising young stars.

Joining Reese this season is Hailey Van Lith, who enters her rookie year after finishing her collegiate career at TCU. Van Lith, known for her scoring prowess and gritty competitiveness, adds another dynamic weapon to Chicago’s backcourt. The Reese–Van Lith duo has generated buzz throughout the offseason, with fans and analysts eager to see how their chemistry develops under the Sky’s revamped system.

A Season of Rebuilding and Opportunity

Chicago’s 2024 campaign was marked by inconsistency, particularly on their home floor where they posted a 6–14 record. Head coach Teresa Weatherspoon, who took over last season, will be tasked with guiding this young team through another year of growth while trying to instill a winning culture.

While the delay of the Bedford Park facility poses a logistical and symbolic hurdle, the franchise is maintaining a focus on long-term success. The addition of a world-class training environment, when completed, is expected to boost player development, aid in recruitment, and serve as a vital cornerstone in building a championship-caliber organization.

In the meantime, the Sky will continue to operate out of their current training space and rely on the leadership of rising stars like Reese to keep the momentum going.

The Bigger Picture: Investing in the Future

The postponed facility may be frustrating for now, but it speaks to a broader ambition: building a sustainable, elite franchise in the WNBA. The Sky’s willingness to invest in a $38 million project reflects a changing tide in women’s professional basketball, where teams are no longer content with makeshift resources and borrowed facilities.

As the league grows in popularity and visibility, franchises like the Chicago Sky are recognizing the importance of infrastructure—not just for physical development, but for identity, culture, and community engagement.

Final Thoughts

As the 2025 season tips off, the Chicago Sky face both challenges and opportunities. The delayed opening of their new training facility is a temporary setback, but it doesn’t derail the team’s larger mission. With a youthful, talented roster led by Angel Reese and an energetic newcomer in Hailey Van Lith, the Sky are poised to take meaningful strides forward.

Fans may have to wait a bit longer to see the finished Bedford Park facility, but if the pieces fall into place on the court, this season could mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Sky—and one well worth the wait.