Sky extend center Elizabeth Williams
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Sky signed center Elizabeth Williams to a one-year contract extension Thursday.
It was general manager Jeff Pagliocca’s final move of the regular season, and arguably the easiest, after a very active 11 months on the job.
“It was a priority because of who Elizabeth has been here since she came to the Sky last year,” Pagliocca said. “She’s given us 1,000% as a competitor and especially as a leader. We couldn’t let a human like this go into free agency. It was priority No. 1 for us.”
Williams’ season ended in June after she tore the meniscus in her right knee. However, Pagliocca affirmed the team’s confidence in her complete return in 2025.
“I see her working every single day,” Pagliocca said. “I see what she’s done to rehab. I see how she’s approached the injury and how far along she is in the recovery process.”
Sky coach Teresa Weatherspoon said Williams is “ahead of schedule.” The next step in her rehab will be running on the team’s AlterG treadmill. Weatherspoon said she was unsure if Williams would remain in Chicago for the entire offseason to continue her rehab but added the team will be “hands on.”
In nine games this season, Williams averaged 10 points, seven rebounds and 1.7 blocks. She averaged 9.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last year for the Sky and was named to the WNBA’s all-defensive second team.
Sky rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso are undoubtedly the future of the franchise. However, Williams, who will be entering her 11th season next year, brings a valuable leadership quality that cannot be overstated.
“Before her injury she was so valuable to them and their growth and understanding of the league, players and how the game is played,” Weatherspoon said. “She still is, but it’s so different when you’re between the four lines. For her to see what we’re building and see where we’re going and decide she wants to stay here to help them grow, it was big for us.”
The WNBA players union has until November to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement, which would move its expiration date up to the end of the 2025 season versus the 2027 season. This is setting the league up for a blockbuster 2026 free-agency period and season.
Every roster in the league will experience some reconstruction because almost every veteran is set to become a free agent in some form.
The league announced an 11-year media-rights deal with Disney, Amazon and NBC-Universal in July valued at $200 million a year beginning in 2026, meaning the salary cap and player salaries could see a significant spike. This makes it highly unlikely that any player signing an extension or any free-agent deals this offseason will be longer than one year.
“I’m so excited and grateful for the opportunity to represent the Chicago Sky organization once again,” Williams said in the team’s release. “The Sky have valued me from the second I joined and despite my injury this past season that support has never wavered. I look forward to doing my part in fostering an elite culture here and bringing a championship back to Chicago.”
In reality, the Sky are more than a year away from returning to title contention. However, with four first-round draft picks over the next two drafts, the Sky’s rebuild finally is taking shape. Having Williams will serve the Sky well through another transition year.