Chicago Sky Break Silence on Firing of Teresa Weatherspoon

The Chicago Sky have broken their silence following Thursday night’s news of the organization firing head coach Teresa Weatherspoon.  The 2024 WNBA season didn’t go as planned for the Sky. After finishing 18-22 and making the playoffs with interim head coach Emre Vatansever last year, the team finished even worse this time around.

They hired Weathersoon this past offseason in an effort to build on their 18-win campaign. Chicago also added two star rookies to its arsenal in Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.  However, the Sky finished tenth out of twelve teams in the final standings. 13-27 wouldn’t cut it, and the team parted ways with Weatherspoon on Thursday night.

The following morning, Nadia Rawlinson, co-owner and operating chairman of the Chicago Sky, released an official statement of the firing.  “After careful consideration, we have decided it is in the best interest of the organization to part ways with Head Coach Teresa Weatherspoon,” Rawlinson wrote.

Rawlinson then showed her sincere appreciation for all that Weatherspoon has done for the team and the organization.  “We are deeply appreciative of Coach Spoon’s (Weatherspoon) contributions to the Chicago Sky, and the energy and passion she brought to the head coaching role,” she added. “We thank her for inspiring a competitive, resilient spirit across the team, synonymous with Chicago Sky basketball.”

The Sky aim to be playoff contenders every season and intend to hire a new coach to elevate them to that level. Regardless of the move, Weatherspoon will remain family to everyone involved.  “We remain steadfastly committed to being a playoff and championship contender every year, and we will be embarking on a thorough search for our next head coach,” Rawlinson said. “TSpoon will always be a part of the Skytown family, and we wish her the very best.”

The Chicago Sky announced today that Teresa Weatherspoon will not retain the role of Head Coach for the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/A9Sc3dL9vF

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) September 27, 2024

The Sky now head into the offseason with a major void to fill. With much talent on the roster already, potential coaching candidates would be amiss to not be interested in the position.  Reese, Cardoso, Chennedy Carter, Marina Mabrey and Elizabeth Williams are some nice pieces to have.  The WNBA playoffs will continue with both semi-finals beginning on Sunday. The New York Liberty will face the Las Vegas Aces, while the Minnesota Lynx will play the Connecticut Sun.