Guards Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot made history last week when they became the first married couple to be teammates on a professional sports team in Chicago.
The Sky, who opened their season on the road with a loss to the Lynx on May 25, hosted their home opener Saturday against the Storm, giving fans their first opportunity to watch Quigley and Vandersloot play together at Wintrust Arena since they got married this offseason.
It’s almost poetic that the Sky’s home opener is happening on the first day of “Pride Month,” which celebrates the LGBTQ community.
Quigley and Vandersloot got married Dec. 29 during a private ceremony in Seattle, which is near Vandersloot’s hometown of Kent, Washington.
Vandersloot said it’s important to her that fans look up to her both as a player and a person.
“We all strive to be good role models,” Vandersloot said. “[The WNBA has] been around long enough that a lot of these players dreamed to be here and it’s important for us to be role models to young girls so that they have dream and somewhere they can look up to and.”
Coach James Wade said he’s proud to have Quigley and Vandersloot as leaders on the Sky.
“I’m happy that we’re able to have them and that they’re in a safe place where they’re happy and comfortable and nobody bats an eye,” Wade said. “That’s cool.”
The WNBA has been at the forefront of professional sports leagues in fostering an inclusive environment. In 2016, it became the first professional sports league to walk in the New York City Pride Parade, and it has continued the tradition with plans to be in this year’s parade June 30.
“That’s what the WNBA is all about,” Vandersloot said. “They have been since day one. I think it’s important because all these women, we come from all different walks of life. You can find every type of person in the WNBA and I think it’s really important that we use our platform to spread positivity and equality everywhere especially in such a telling time right now.”
Wade is also pleased to be part of a diverse and inclusive league like the WNBA.
“I think the WNBA is probably miles ahead of any sports league or organization for how inclusive we are, how accepting we are of everybody,” Wade said. “We’ve always been inclusive and accepting of everyone, and I think it’s important that we continue to do so and that we continue to be leaders in that.”
Faulkner update
Point guard Jamierra Faulkner was listed as probable for the Sky’s home opener on Saturday, but her timeline to return is still unclear.
Faulkner, who’s been sidelined by a torn ACL in her right knee since July, has been “taking it easy” while participating in parts of practices this week.
“I still have some time,” Faulkner said. “I’m just taking it day-by-day and going off of what the doctor says.”
Wade said Faulkner hasn’t been medically cleared for full contact yet, and Faulkner said “it’s too early to say” when she’ll be back.
