Cubs Co-Owner Interested in Piece of Chicago Sky

One of the Chicago Cubs’ co-owners could add another Windy City team to her portfolio.

Chicago Sky owner Michael Alter has reportedly held preliminary talks with Laura Ricketts about becoming a potential investor in the WNBA team.

After the Sky won the 2021 WNBA Finals, Alter expressed his willingness to bring on investors — clarifying that it wasn’t for a lack of financial resources, but rather to increase the team’s value.

Without confirming discussions, Alter told the Chicago Tribune that Ricketts “is a very prominent sports team owner,” adding, “If she is someone who wanted to get involved and had an interest in her, then we would certainly talk about it.”

• Laura Ricketts, along with siblings Tom, Pete, and Todd, purchased all but 5% of the Cubs in 2009 for $845 million through Chicago Baseball Holdings. They acquired the rest in 2019. 
• The family also redeveloped the area around Wrigley Field and has plans to add a sportsbook to the stadium.
• The Ricketts were one of the final bidders for Chelsea FC earlier this year but withdrew from negotiations in the late stages.

The Sky and the Cubs have worked with each other before. The former signed a multiyear deal with the latter’s Marquee Sports Network in May to carry select Sky games.

Community Relations

Ricketts and her wife Brooke Skinner reportedly are interested because the team aligns with their philanthropic efforts.

Alter said, “She has been civically active here in Chicago, which is very important to us.”