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  "path": "/chicago-sky/2026/02/05/sky-ownership-lawsuit-begins-at-a-pivotal-moment-for-the-franchise",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-05T21:50:42.838Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>An ownership dispute involving <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky\" target=\"_blank\" >Sky</a> principal owner Michael Alter and minority investor Steven Rogers landed in Cook County court Thursday. It was the first hearing in a fight that could shed light on whether the franchise is ready for the WNBA’s big-money future.</p><p>Rogers, who filed the lawsuit <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2026/02/01/sky-principal-owner-michael-alter-sued-by-early-minority-investor-over-ownership-stake\" >last week</a>, accuses Alter of using “self-dealing” transactions to unfairly dilute minority investors at a moment when the team’s value had skyrocketed.</p><p>More broadly, Rogers claims Alter runs the business like a Little League operation, without proper checks, balances or professional standards.</p><p>Thursday’s hearing didn’t touch the substance of those allegations, which Alter’s counsel has called “meritless.” (The lone Sky season-ticket holder who showed up to observe likely left disappointed.)</p><p>Instead, the case began with some legal throat-clearing. Robert Chapman, Alter’s counsel, requested to swap judges before the case proceeds. Under Illinois law, each side is entitled to one free “switcheroo” at the start of a case, without explanation. Judge Myron Mackoff granted the request, delaying the next hearing until the case is assigned a new judge.</p><p>So now we wait for the “good stuff.” The next hearing promises higher stakes: it will address the plaintiffs’ request to file the complaint under seal.</p><p>Right now, only a heavily redacted version of Rogers’ complaint is available to the public. That means the details behind Rogers’ claim that the Sky’s business is a “mess” are blacked out.</p><p>Rogers’ counsel argues that redactions are necessary because the Sky’s operating agreement and a separate nondisclosure agreement prevent Rogers from publicly disclosing certain financial and governance details.</p><p>But an unredacted version of the complaint would be illuminating — and depending on the details, could reshape the franchise.</p><p>From Rogers’ complaint:</p><p>“For years, [Alter] has run the Sky with blatant disregard for the operating agreement and minimum standards of competence for business operations (like REDACTED).”</p><p>That redacted example might fall into the category of foibles Sky fans have grown used to hearing. Or it might start an entirely new genre. What matters is that it's a specific example coming from a minority investor. That carries weight, especially given the timing.</p><p>The Sky find themselves in a precarious position. As the WNBA rapidly expands and modernizes, the Sky have fallen behind other ownership groups — some better funded, others simply better organized — winning the race in facilities, analytics and basic corporate infrastructure.</p><p>Despite this sea change happening in plain sight, management has maintained a business-as-usual posture. Last summer, when asked how expansion would affect the league’s competitive balance — five new teams by the end of the decade, all with deep pockets — CEO Adam Fox told the Sun-Times he would have to wait and see.</p><p>Points for caution, maybe, but a “wait and see” attitude only works when you’re protecting a lead. It fails when you’re playing from behind.</p><p>The Sky have taken plenty of steps in the right direction this year. They’re building a dedicated practice facility in partnership with the Village of Bedford Park, which Fox said will be ready by \"late spring.\" For the first time, they’re hiring more roles typical of a modern sports organization, like sports psychologist and massage therapist.</p><p>Still, more urgency is required.</p><p>Asked last summer about the Sky’s recent increase in spending on player experience, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-sky/2025/08/23/free-agency-could-reshape-the-league-in-2026-are-the-sky-ready-to-compete\" >Fox told the Sun-Times</a>:</p><p>“It’s not like a watershed moment where you wake up and say we gotta do more. … Adding things to the player experience is a part of the maturation of the organization that is matching the growth of … the league.”</p><p>In reality, women’s basketball has been nothing <i>but</i> watershed moments over the last couple of years, from the ownership sea change in the WNBA to the Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese effect.</p><p>Sky executives enter the 2026 season with an imperative: purge themselves of the old-school WNBA mindset and prove they can compete in a hyper-growth league.</p><p>Maybe this lawsuit will be just the kick in the pants they need.</p><p>Or maybe the two businessmen settle before any juicy details come to light, and the Sky’s status quo prevails.</p><p>For now, we wait and see.</p>",
  "title": "Sky ownership lawsuit begins at a pivotal moment for the franchise",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-05T22:18:48.819Z"
}