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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced Tuesday that the league will begin using charter flights for all teams this season.
Previously, teams frequently used commercial flights for travel, drawing criticism from players, coaches and fans.
“We intend to fund a full-time contract for this season,” Engelbert told reporters, according to the Associated Press.
Engelbert said the program is expected to cost approximately $25 million per year for the next two seasons. The league plans to launch the program “as soon as we can get planes in some places.”
The regular season will begin on May 14.
Criticisms of commercial trips
Trade travel has been a frequent issue for players as the league has continued to grow in recent seasons. Players have repeatedly taken to social media to shed light on travel concerns that arose from multiple issues, including delays that led to long nights at airports and exposure to COVID-19 during the pandemic.
Las Vegas Aces All-Star Kelsey Plum addressed the effects of a delayed flight in 2022 and advocated for dedicated charter flights.
“I think I’m the most physically fit player in this league, respectfully, and I’m looking forward to playing that type of game against Seattle (Sunday), then taking a flight delayed for five and a half hours, flying across the country. , wake up and play the next day, I mean, today I was tired. …
“I mean, let’s be real, I mean, I’m not here to blame a charter flight for the reason we lost, but normally a team would fly out that night and have the whole day to rest and get your legs under you and then go play the next day. So you know those little things make a difference.
Previous WNBA stance on charter flights
Engelbert said in 2022 that issuing full-time charter flights to teams would jeopardize the financial health of the WNBA.
“This is something that we’re not going to jeopardize the financial health of the league or be irresponsible about,” Engelbert said. “If we can get sponsors and supporters to fund it, great, but that’s not where we are. “We don’t have that.”
The league approved charter flights in 2023 in certain situations, including back-to-back games and in the postseason. Even then, approval of the postseason trip was subject to limitations. Teams were prohibited from booking charter flights outside the league’s parameters to avoid allowing a competitive advantage over teams that did not do so.
What drove the change?
Since then, women’s basketball has seen an explosion in growth and viewer interest with dramatic increases in television ratings for college games, especially those involving former Iowa star Caitlin Clark. The decision to move to charter flights suggests the WNBA anticipates financial growth to fund those flights, as Clark and other college stars, including Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, have joined the league as rookies.
Aces coach Becky Hammon praised the decision Tuesday afternoon.
“I think everyone’s immediate response is great,” Hammon said, by Ball is Sara Jane Gamelli of life. “I think it’s definitely a good thing. Everyone is very happy to not have to wait in so many security lines.”
New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu also expressed her approval via an Instagram story.
“YES YES YES YES YES,” he wrote. “I’m so excited, I don’t know what else to say besides YES”
