Key Takeaways:
– WNBA is set to launch a chartered flight program for all 12 teams attending away games.
– The league’s decision seems to have been influenced by recent security issues involving Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
– The move signifies a positive shift towards enhanced player safety during travel.
Following a recent security incident involving Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced on May 7 that a program will soon be launched which will charter flights for all 12 WNBA teams to their away games. The initiative, confirmed by the league’s commissioner Kathy Engelbert, aims to improve the safety and well-being of the players while they are on the road.
Shaking Up the Travel Norms
Until now, the WNBA only allowed teams to embark on charter flights during back-to-back matchups or postseason games. Caitlin Clark’s incident just a few days ago appears to have expedited a change in this policy.
On May 2, Clark arrived at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport with minimal safety measures in place. The event sparked an outcry online, with many citing this as an example of the need for improved travel arrangements for WNBA players. The importance of this change was echoed in a social media post by Jemele Hill, a journalist from The Atlantic, highlighting both safety and player health.
Prior Security Concerns
The security concerns involving WNBA players extend beyond Clark’s incident. Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner was openly harassed by a YouTube personality at the same Dallas airport in June 2023. Thankfully, the league quickly responded by allowing Griner and the Phoenix Mercury to travel via private charter for the rest of the season.
What Lies Ahead for the Fever and the WNBA
The Indiana Fever, with Clark lighting up the roster, kicks off their preseason home opener against the Atlanta Dream on May 9. Their first regular season away match is due on May 14 against the Connecticut Sun. Fans and players alike are eagerly waiting to see if the new charter flight program will be operational in time for their first away game.
WNBA Commissioner Engelbert has expressed her optimism about the project, stating that they intend to arrange for full-time charter flights for the current season. Despite not having a clear timeline, she assured that the launch will be carried out as soon as the logistics part is sorted out. This could be a couple of weeks or it might extend up to a month, she said.
The introduction of charter flights is a promising sign for the WNBA. Stipulating safe and comfortable travel conditions for the athletes will not only help prevent incidents like those experienced by Clark and Griner but may also further legitimize the league in the eyes of fans and detractors.