Sky Hook: Chicago’s New WNBA Franchise Unveils Name, Logo

Sky’s Stender (l) And GM & Coach Dave Cowens Unveil Jersey

Chicago’s new WNBA franchise, which will begin play in ’06 at the UIC Pavilion, formally unveiled its Sky nickname, along with its logo, sky blue and yellow colors and uniform yesterday at a ceremony at Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. Following the unveiling, Mercury G Diana Taurasi, Storm G Sue Bird, Shock C Ruth Riley and Mystics G Temeka Johnson conducted a basketball clinic for the children present (Sky). Sky President & CEO Margaret Stender said of the logo, which was designed by Flow Creative, “We set three criteria: The name and the logo must be distinctly Chicago, it must be aspirational and encouraging, and it must be high-energy” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/21). In Chicago, Melissa Isaacson reports the Sky have sold approximately 1,000 season tickets and hope to reach 2,500-3,000 by the time the season tips off in May. The UIC Pavilion seats 7,500. The team also will begin selling merchandise and “raising awareness throughout the city by means of street banners, various public appearances” and its Web site, www.ChicagoSky.net (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/21).

SPONSORS: In Illinois, Patricia Babcock McGraw reports the Sky have established partnerships with Commonwealth Edison, LaSalle Bank, Motorola, Gatorade and the Univ. of Illinois Medical Center (ILLINOIS DAILY HERALD, 9/21).

PUBLIC RADIO? In Chicago, Robert Feder writes WTTW-PBS has a three-year deal to produce, sell advertising for and broadcast the team’s games. A WTTW spokeperson said that the station “would not be paid a fee to produce and broadcast the games.” Advertising revenue would be split between the team and the station. But Feder notes WTTW as a public broadcaster “is bound by FCC guidelines on the type of advertising it can accept.” Execs at several local commercial TV stations “privately expressed serious doubts Tuesday that the plan could work” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/21).