An investor group headed by out lesbian Chicago Cubs co-owner/Chicago Sky minority owner Laura Ricketts reached an agreement to purchase the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars, according to ESPN.
Owner Arnim Whisler put the team up for sale in the wake of the Sally Yates Report, published in October 2022, which detailed systemic abuse in the NWSL. Among other things, the report highlighted alleged instances of abuse by former Red Stars manager Rory Dames as well as Whisler’s failure to address Dames’ behavior.
“Building a championship culture begins with treating our players with the respect they deserve as women and athletes,” Ricketts said in a statement. “We look forward to completing this transaction so that we can begin this new chapter for the team and the fans.”
The announcement named 12 additional investors in the group, including Center on Halsted interim CEO Editha Paras; transgender TAWANI Enterprises, Inc. President/CEO Jennifer Pritzker (cousin of Illinois Gov. JB Pritizker); LaCrosse Milling Company owner Megan Miller; businessman Tim O’Reilly; and strategic communications consultant Hilary Rosen, among others.
—Andrew Davis