As Dwyane Wade landed in Chicago at 5 a.m. Friday, he reflected on growing up on the South Side, watching the Bulls and dreaming about playing at that level.<\/p>\n
Wade, a basketball Hall of Famer and part owner of the Chicago Sky, said the WNBA\u2019s choice to host the 2026 All-Star Game in Chicago will amplify that feeling of hope for young girls in the city.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose teams allowed me to dream. They made basketball feel bigger than the game. They made it feel possible,\u201d Wade said during a luncheon in the West Loop hosted by the Sky to celebrate the All-Star Game coming to Chicago.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we come here to do is not about the game of basketball necessarily,\u201d Wade said. \u201cIt\u2019s about what this game of basketball and what this opportunity can really bring to the city, to those kids that were like myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
The WNBA announced in October<\/u><\/a> that Chicago would host the 2026 All-Star Game on July 25 at the United Center \u2014 if the season proceeds without interruption.<\/p>\n Dwyane Wade blows out candles on a birthday cake. For Wade, the WNBA All-Star weekend is an opportunity to show young people a path to their dreams in sports.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/p>\n Candace Dane Chambers\/Sun-Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The WNBA and the Women\u2019s National Basketball Players Association have not agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement after the Jan. 9 deadline for a deal has passed. Among other enhanced protections and benefits, the player\u2019s association is hoping for a larger share of the league\u2019s revenue and a higher maximum player salary than the league\u2019s proposed $1 million maximum.<\/p>\n At Friday\u2019s event, Sky co-owner Nadia Rawlinson highlighted the WNBA\u2019s record-breaking growth in viewership and revenue over the last two years.<\/p>\n Sky leadership called on the dozens of business leaders, sports team owners and politicians in the room to consider sponsoring the team. They handed out a paper outlining sponsorship opportunities ranging from $50,000 to $1 million.<\/p>\n Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson boasting about Chicago, saying the All-Star weekend would create jobs and bring economic opportunity across the city.<\/p>\n
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