Illinois has a deeply passionate sports culture with representation in every major professional league.
* **Professional Football:** Chicago Bears (NFL). * **Professional Basketball:** Chicago Bulls (NBA) and Chicago Sky (WNBA). * **Professional Baseball:** Chicago Cubs (MLB - National League) and Chicago White Sox (MLB - American League). * **Professional Hockey:** Chicago Blackhawks (NHL). * **Professional Soccer:** Chicago Fire FC (MLS) and Chicago Red Stars (NWSL). * **Collegiate Sports:** The University of Illinois Fighting Illini and Northwestern University Wildcats both compete in the highly competitive Big Ten Conference.
