The Chicago Sky has given our city its first WNBA title. The Willis Tower split the night with its blue and yellow-lighted antennas, and the Art Institute lions donned Sky jerseys. Games 3 and 4 were sold out at the Wintrust Arena, and Barack Obama tweeted his support.
It seemed that the success of the Chicago Sky — and the WNBA at large — has generated at least some interest among the public. So, why, then, was it so hard for me to find a sports bar that would air any of the playoff games? I was disheartened by responses from local establishments, which turned me down when I called ahead. If I wasn’t met with outright denial, then I received answers like, “Well, it depends on what else is on.” And during an internet search for locations, I uncovered posts that were littered with misogynistic jabs, homophobic slurs and the ever-perplexing question that I hear most often: “Who cares?”
I am no stranger to sports bars that won’t put on games if the players aren’t male. In 2018, I asked a bartender to air the March Madness tournament, and he pointed out that it was over. He was partly right — the men’s tournament was finished. But the Notre Dame women had one more game to go. I rationalized it by telling myself that a Chicago establishment and its customers wouldn’t be interested in an out-of-state game. But why would anyone deny the Sky, a Chicago team? A winning team, at that.
So who cares? I care. A lot of us care. And proprietors should, too. Their establishments should be proud to present and support a league that has a history of fighting for representation, as the WNBA has long been at the forefront of social justice movements: It was the first professional sports league to establish a formal Pride campaign, and their players were among the first to wear “Black Lives Matter” shirts before games.
Beyond these achievements, the WNBA dedicated its 2020 season to Breonna Taylor. And WNBA players campaigned for the Rev. Raphael Warnock, who became Georgia’s first Black U.S. senator.
Women matter. Women’s sports matter. Put on the game.
— Kendall Steinle, Chicago
Hats off to the Sky
At this troubling time both locally and internationally, congratulations to the Chicago Sky and its championship in women’s basketball. The players worked through the chaos to be the best.
While all of the professional men’s sports teams in Chicago continue to struggle with success, our hats are off to these women.
All of Chicago is proud as this was a great day for all.
— Dale Bunner, Chicago
Powell lied for Bush
Colin Powell told a pack of lies that he knew to be lies regarding Iraq’s nonexistent weapons of mass destruction, thereby paving the way for a war that brought nothing but chaos and misery. He may have led an otherwise laudable life, but his willingness to do the bidding of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and the rest of those criminals is unforgivable.
— John Manderino, Urbana, Illinois
Disrespect at store
I overheard a young man standing in line at Mariano’s quietly repeating, “Come on, old people, move it along, move it along.” I looked up to see an older woman checking her groceries through the self-service line. I chose not to suggest to him that he, too, would one day be an older adult.
How disappointing to observe that ageism is openly demonstrated with no shame and with even more than a hint of arrogance.
— Nancie Thompson, Chicago
A fitting goodbye
My heartfelt thanks go out to Ron Grossman for his Sunday Flashback remembering the Standard Club (“Remembering the Standard Club,” Oct. 17). It closed during the pandemic, but the writing was on the wall for private clubs by the time it closed. The times, they are a’changing, and what was important to our parents and grandparents is no longer the case today.
Hopefully, the building will remain and be repurposed. Thank you, Ron Grossman, for writing your usually splendid article.
— Howard Kirschner, Morton Grove
Judicial overreach
I’m not a supporter of public employee unions. I am a supporter of everyone being vaccinated. However, the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to free speech. The Cook County judge who issued an order to prohibit the Fraternal Order of Police president from telling members not to report their vaccination status will likely be overruled on appeal.
Too many judges think they have the right to suppress speech. They don’t.
— Jack Higgins, Oak Brook
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