Ever since James Wade was hired as the coach of the Chicago Sky prior to the 2019 season, the Sky has literally been the limit as Chicago has began an upward trajectory from rebuilding from losing Elena Delle Donne to the Washington Mystics to its current cast as contenders.
The 2019 season where the Sky were a Hamby Heave shy of the WNBAβs semifinals and Wade was named Coach of the Year.
The Sky has made a decision on Wade β and have decided he is as Magnificent as the Mile on Michigan Avenue.
ππππππΏππΏ
General Manager and Head Coach @coachjameswade has agreed to and signed a four-year contract extension with the team.
π: https://t.co/jzUcNDAXsC pic.twitter.com/mmSOi5g4bi
β Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) January 14, 2021
Humbled and Grateful to continue leading this great Franchise @chicagosky ππΎππΎππΎ https://t.co/UqPkmdJwJR
β James Wade (@coachjameswade) January 14, 2021
Chicago and Wade has agreed on a four-year extension that keeps Wade in the fold in the Windy City through the 2025 season.
I truly appreciate the organization for trusting in me and seeing me as a part of their future. I feel extremely fortunate and am excited to lead this franchise to what we hope will be many successful seasons to come.
–James Wade, Chicago Sky coach and general manager (release)
He is an excellent teacher and coach, both on and off the court. This well-deserved extension represents stability for our team and we are proud to have James lead us forward.
–Michael Alter, Chicago Sky owner (release)
Under Wade, the Sky have established a strong core of players (many of whom made it to the IMG Academy bubble for last yearβs season) that includes Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, Stefanie Dolson, Gabby Williams, Diamond DeShields and 2020 draftee Ruthy Hebard. Chicago returned to the playoffs last season.
Wade is the latest coach to re-up with his team this offseason. The Los Angeles Sparks extended with Derek Fisher and also allowed him to assume general manager duties after two seasons at the helm in Tinseltown. Curt Miller recently signed his own four-year re-up to remain the coach of the Connecticut Sun. He first joined Connecticut in 2016.
In addition to the Sky’s coach signing a new deal with the team, one of Chicago’s signature players – Gabby Williams – began a new partnership with Ford along with other athletes as part of the #ShowSomeMuscle campaign. The message is that muscle cars, seen as more of an object of masculinity, are something women can embrace too – both the cars and the muscle.
Misty Copeland is also participating.
