Ishbia Family Proposes Youth Sports Facility in Vacant Office Depot

The billionaire owners of the Chicago White Sox and Phoenix Suns aim to transform an empty retail space into a year-round practice and training center for local youth teams.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:05pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a youth sports game or practice, with sharp geometric shapes in navy, green, and red overlapping to create a dynamic, multi-angled visual representation of the proposed facility.A conceptual illustration captures the geometric energy and overlapping perspectives of a youth sports facility designed to serve Evanston's young athletes.Wilmette Today

The Ishbia Family Foundation has submitted a zoning application to the city of Evanston to convert a vacant Office Depot building into a new indoor youth sports facility. The proposed two-story complex would host practices, training sessions, and events for local baseball, flag football, and soccer organizations. The project is being led by Justin Ishbia, who owns minority stakes in the Chicago White Sox and Phoenix Suns professional sports teams.

Why it matters

The new facility would provide much-needed indoor sports access for youth on Evanston's north side, where no similar indoor sports complex currently exists. The project represents a major investment by the Ishbia family, who have been active in other North Shore real estate and public development projects in recent years.

The details

The Ishbia Family Foundation's proposed facility would include multi-level playing fields, parent viewing areas, and community gathering spaces. Use would be limited to organized youth practices, training, clinics, and private events - no large-scale tournaments would be hosted. The project is being submitted as a planned development, though the city has not yet posted any public materials about the proposal.

  • The zoning analysis application was submitted to the city of Evanston on March 4, 2026.
  • The applicants hope to have a Land Use Commission hearing later this spring or early summer of 2026.

The players

Justin Ishbia

The billionaire founder of private equity firm Shore Capital Partners, who owns a minority stake in the Chicago White Sox and could become the team's majority owner as soon as 2029. He also holds a part-ownership stake in the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury basketball teams alongside his brother Mat Ishbia.

Ishbia Family Foundation

A nonprofit organization founded in 2023 that is focused on youth sports initiatives. The foundation is leading the application and development of the proposed indoor sports facility.

Parielle Davis

The Evanston City Council member whose Seventh Ward includes the site of the proposed sports facility.

Sarah Hamilton

A spokesperson for the Ishbia Family Foundation project.

Luke Stowe

The Evanston City Manager, who has been reporting on the project's progress in weekly reports.

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What they’re saying

“The Ishbia Family Foundation has a focus on youth sports, and this new indoor facility will provide Evanston kids with year-round access to baseball, softball, soccer, and flag football.”

— Sarah Hamilton, Project Spokesperson

“With multi-level playing fields, parent viewing areas, and a welcoming gathering space, it's designed with Evanston families in mind. There will be no tournaments or large-scale events.”

— Parielle Davis, Evanston City Council Member

What’s next

The applicants hope to have a Land Use Commission hearing on the proposed facility later this spring or early summer of 2026.

The takeaway

This project represents a significant investment by the Ishbia family in Evanston's youth sports infrastructure, providing much-needed indoor facilities on the city's north side. If approved, the facility could become a hub for local sports organizations and help expand access and opportunities for young athletes in the community.