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WNBA Chicago Sky

Chicago Sky to Face LA Sparks in Pre-Season Showdown at Sears Centre Arena

March 4, 2008 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Chicago Sky News Release


CHICAGO, March 3, 2008 - The Chicago Sky will take on the Los Angeles Sparks in a pre-season game on May 8 at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. The Sky's home court at UIC Pavilion was unavailable for the game, so the Sky is moving the highly anticipated pre-season match-up of the top two WNBA draft picks to the northwest suburbs. The game will feature the league's top two rookies, likely to be University of Tennessee star Candace Parker and Sylvia Fowles, LSU's dominating 6'6" center.

The Sparks have the number one pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft on April 9; the Sky has the number two pick from what experts are calling the best rookie class in WNBA history. Both Fowles and Parker are All-American players and the only two female college players to dunk in a regular season game this year.

"What a great game this will be," said Sky CEO Margaret Stender. "Our fans will get their first look at two new WNBA players who will have a huge impact on our game and our league. We're thrilled to be playing at the beautiful new Sears Centre Arena."

"The management and staff of Sears Centre Arena are looking forward to May 8 and hosting the Chicago Sky as they clash with the LA Sparks in what surely will be a terrific pre-season WNBA game, said Jeff Bowen, president, Sears Centre Arena. "This will be a wonderful event for players and fans alike as Chicago's newest and finest venue hosts Chicago's exciting WNBA Sky. I personally can't wait for May 8."

Tickets to the blockbuster match-up at the Sears Centre Arena can be purchased through the Chicago Sky by calling 877.SKY.WNBA or at www.chicagosky.net. They can also be purchased at the Sears Centre Arena box office and at www.searscentre.com.

In the teams' last meeting on July 1, 2007, the Sky came away with a 74-71 overtime win at the Staples Center. The Sky will tip-off its 2008 season on May 17 at Seattle and will play their season home opener on May 22 against the Sacramento Monarchs at 7:00 p.m. at the UIC Pavilion. All the Sky's regular season home games will be played at the UIC Pavilion and tickets can be purchased by calling 877.SKY.WNBA, visiting www.chicagosky.net, or at any Ticketmaster outlet.

The Sears Centre Arena is an 11,000 seat multi-purpose family entertainment, cultural, and sports arena located in Hoffman Estates' Prairie Stone Business Park, just off I-90 at the Route 59 exit. The Sears Centre Arena, which opened in 2006, is designed to accommodate a variety of events including concerts, family shows and sporting events. For more information regarding the Sears Centre Arena and upcoming events, please visit the arena's website at www.searscentre.com.

The Sky is one of seven independently-owned teams in the WNBA, the world's longest-running women's professional sports league. The Sky celebrated its inaugural season in 2006, and finished a successful sophomore season with guard Armintie Price named WNBA Rookie of the Year and forward Candice Dupree receiving All-Star honors. For more information or to purchase 2008 season tickets, visit www.chicagosky.net.

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