It\u2019s been a while since the Sky have had the newest and shiniest recruiting tool in the WNBA.<\/p>\n
But look toward the horizon near Midway Airport and a new practice facility is arriving.<\/a><\/p>\n In today\u2019s WNBA, infrastructure matters. Player standards have risen, and dedicated practice facilities have become a valued resource and a signal of seriousness. They whisper to stars: We\u2019re investing in you.<\/p>\n The trendsetters on this front were out West. The Aces opened the league\u2019s first dedicated facility in 2023, and the Mercury, Storm, and Valkyries quickly followed. Meanwhile, the Sky were stuck practicing in a suburban recreation center in Deerfield, miles from downtown and miles off the pace of league progress.<\/p>\n Not any longer.<\/p>\n The Sky\u2019s new practice facility in Bedford Park will be \u201coperational\u201d this spring, according to CEO Adam Fox and Village of Bedford Park officials. It will be one of only two WNBA practice facilities opening this year. A spokesperson for the Portland Fire told the Sun-Times that their new facility is set to open in June.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Full details on the Sky\u2019s facility haven\u2019t been released, but the basics are clear: modern amenities, a nearly $46 million price tag, and a footprint roughly double the original plan.<\/p>\n Take that, Aces and Storm! Once the talk of the town, the first wave of facilities is old news now.<\/p>\n For a change, the Sky have a head start, racing past the Dream, Sun, Wings and Toronto Tempo, who still practice in shared spaces. (Though provisions in the next CBA might mandate they hurry up and build something of their own.)<\/p>\n The Sky better enjoy the moment while it lasts. Because the rest of the league is on the move, and they\u2019re not exactly thinking small.<\/p>\n The Fever unveiled plans in January 2025 for a massive 108,000-square-foot complex. Construction is underway, with the Caitlin Clark\u2013Aliyah Boston pick-and-roll expected to move in \u201cahead of the 2027 season,\u201d according to a team spokesperson.<\/p>\n The Liberty followed in May 2025, announcing an $80 million facility in Brooklyn. It features what they call a \u201crevolutionary locker room concept\u201d \u2014 private player suites with full-height wardrobes, sneaker storage, and a seven-foot daybed for recovery. A team spokesperson told the Sun-Times that a 2027 opening is still the expectation.<\/p>\n Last but not least, the Los Angeles Sparks jumped into the mix in September 2025, announcing a $150 million investment in El Segundo. The promotional video showed renderings of a \u201cfirst-of-its-kind player sanctuary\u201d complete with outdoor spa pools.<\/p>\n