Sky finalizes local TV broadcast partnership
The Chicago Sky has agreed to a local broadcast partnership with Weigel Broadcasting Co. for the upcoming WNBA season, team officials announced Tuesday.
The schedule includes 24 regular-season game over the WCIU and U Too channels in the Chicago area, along with the WNBA’s LiveAccess at www.chicagosky.net.
WCIU, The U and The U Too, are part of the Weigel Broadcasting Co., which will host the regular-season games. WCIU (The U) will air the June 2 game against the Tulsa Shock and the July 7 match up against New York. The U Too station will feature the remaining 22 home and away games including the Aug. 23 game against the Liberty.
The Sky opens the season on May 27 at Phoenix, and the home opener at Allstate Arena is May 31 against Connecticut.
“Having the chance to showcase our games on the WCIU, The U and The U Too stations is an outstanding opportunity to share the team’s season-long journey with our local fans. We are looking forward to a strong and lasting partnership with Weigel Broadcasting Company,” said Chicago Sky President and CEO Adam Fox.
Other highlights of the broadcast line up include games against the Los Angeles Sparks and Naperville native Candace Parker (June 29 and Aug. 13) and the defending WNBA Champion Indiana Fever with former Stevenson High School star Tamika Catchings (June 22, Aug. 6 and Sept. 6).
WCIU, The U can be seen over the air on WCIU-TV 26.1 or on XFINITY (check cable guide for channel position in your area), XFINITY HD 183, RCN 6, RCN HD 606, WOW 6, WOW HD 207, AT&T U-verse 10, AT&T U-verse HD 1010, DIRECTV HD 26 and Dish Network 26. The U Too can be seen over-the-air on WCIU-DT 26.2 or on cable channels XFINITY 248/360, RCN 35 and WOW 170.
ESPN will televise the May 27 and Sept. 11 Sky contests against the Phoenix Mercury with veteran all-star Diana Taurasi and No. 1 draft pick Britney Griner.
Brooke Weisbrod and Lisa Byington have joined the Sky’s broadcast team as color commentator and play-by-play announcer respectively. The pair will call all WCIU, The U and The U Too telecasts as well as WNBA LiveAccess webcasts.