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Sports Friday, July 24, 2026 | | |
| | | | | Good morning, Chicago. Phil Cook couldn’t have imagined four years ago what WNBA Live would become in such a short period of time. In 2022 at the last WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago, the league hosted its inaugural fan event that Cook, the WNBA’s chief marketing officer, said was “proof of concept.” In a parking lot near Wintrust Arena surrounded by a chain-link fence, six WNBA partners helped
put on a fan experience that Cook said was “quite shallow.” There was a basketball shooting game, a retail store and some viewing opportunities. About 6,000 people attended the event, according to WNBA partnership director Erica Smith. “I don’t think there’s been a greater transformation in a four-year period than WNBA Live in any form of sport,” Cook said. A giant WNBA basketball is on display as people head toward a fan event on July 23,
2026, at McCormick Place ahead of the league’s All-Star Game at the United Center. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) As WNBA All-Star weekend returns to Chicago this weekend at Wintrust Arena and the United Center, the league’s fan fest has grown to a sprawling three-day event at McCormick Place. Standing in front of a full-size basketball court that will be the site of youth clinics throughout the weekend, Smith said the WNBA expects 30,000 fans to attend the fest that features 34 brands. Today’s eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History | | | | Patrick Kane signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, returning to the team with which the future Hall of Famer spent his first 16 seasons. | | | | | When it comes to promoting nostalgia, no one does it quite like the Chicago Blackhawks. So it’s not surprising they brought back franchise legend Patrick Kane. | | | | | Andrew Benintendi reached 10 years of major-league service time this month, and Will Venable said the veteran’s presence means “a lot” to the Chicago White Sox. | | | | | Chicago Bears training camp is right around the corner, and that brings the conversation back to where everyone wants it — to football. | | | | | The Chicago Bears selected seven players in the NFL draft this year. Get to know the rookies before training camp starts. | | | | | For the second time in five years, Chicago is playing host to the WNBA All-Star Game. Here’s a roundup of parties, events, pop-ups and more taking place this week around the city. | | | |
