The WNBA has been in the headlines lately, but not for the reasons players, fans, and the league would have hoped. The ongoing battle for private flights has come to a head, as players fight for better travel conditions and their own safety. The COVID-19 pandemic has made matters worse, with players expressing concerns over the risk of flying commercially. The WNBA and its players are taking the matter into their own hands, with players like Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner at the forefront of the fight.
Breanna Stewart, a two-time WNBA champion, is joining the New York Liberty, and she is using her platform to boost the conversation. On social media, she wrote, “I would love to be part of a deal that helps subsidize charter travel for the entire WNBA. I would contribute my NIL, posts + production hours to ensure we all travel in a way that prioritizes player health + safety, which ultimately results in a better product. Who’s with me?” Her post was met with overwhelming support, as players and fans rallied behind her. Even NBA players like Ja Morant and Kyrie Irving have offered their support, with the latter saying, “We gotta get something done, and I’m with them no matter how much it costs.”
Brittney Griner’s recent return from a 10-month detainment in Russia has brought attention to the league’s travel policies. As a free agent, Griner’s eventual return to the WNBA raises concerns about her safety in commercial flights. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has said that the league is working with security experts to find the right solution for Griner’s situation, but players and fans are calling for a change to the rule for everyone.
The cost of charter flights is a major barrier, with Commissioner Engelbert estimating that it would be over $25 million per year to fund charter flights for an entire WNBA season. The league has already asked major airlines and charter companies for assistance, but it’s not something the league can do without sponsors stepping up. Commissioner Engelbert has said that the league would need a commitment in perpetuity from a sponsor, and the calls for support are growing louder.
The fight for private flights is just one of the many battles the WNBA is facing, but players and fans are hopeful that the conversation will lead to change. Four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird has said that “the best part about it is people are talking about it…that right there, in my experience, is how change starts and hopefully it’s the beginning of us getting those charter flights.” The WNBA has come a long way since its inception, but players and fans hope that the league will continue to evolve and improve, starting with better travel conditions.
