In the world of sports, where what happens off the court often matters just as much as what goes on it, every so often, a decision is made that sends shockwaves through the league, leaving both players and fans stunned. This time, the drama unfolded not in the locker room, but in the commissioner’s office. Imagine this: just hours after one of the WNBA’s brightest stars made a game-changing announcement about her retirement, another move—a $50 million commitment—was dropped by the very league that should’ve been her biggest ally. But this wasn’t just business; it was personal. And for Candace Parker, it felt like a betrayal.

According to Parker, the announcement of the chartered flight program came just after she had posted her retirement announcement on April 28, 2024. In a recent episode of the “Trophy Room” podcast, Parker vented her frustrations, saying, “The day I retired, I said this literally bullshit. This has got to be on some bullshit.”

Her voice carried a mix of disbelief and anger, underscoring the sharp timing of the decision. Parker explained that she had just pressed “send” on her emotional retirement post, shedding a tear, when she saw Cathy Engelbert’s announcement of the new $50 million commitment to chartered flights for WNBA teams.

“They said chartered flight. Like literally, I press send on the little retirement post, shed a little tear, and then Cathy Engelbert wants to come out and be like chartered flights for the whole week,” Parker said, expressing how it felt like a slap in the face to see such a major change announced immediately after she stepped away from the game.

This program, which will phase in over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, was heralded as a win for player health and safety. The WNBA Commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, championed the move, stating, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of a full charter program as soon as practical for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.” Engelbert emphasized the importance of this initiative as a symbol of the league’s progress, saying, “We feel confident that the time is now to institute a full charter program to demonstrate our commitment to leading with a player-first agenda.”

Parker’s frustration: WNBA’s $50M charter deal arrives too late for her.

However, Parker’s frustration wasn’t just about the timing of the announcement—it was about the contradiction between the league’s actions and the player who had just retired. As the league took its step forward, Parker had already left the game without experiencing the very thing she had fought for during her long career. It felt to her like a moment of progress that she would never personally benefit from.

The $50 million commitment to chartered flights was a historic step for the league. For players, it represents more than just comfort; it’s a sign of the league’s growing recognition of their value. “On behalf of the players, I express my appreciation and support for a bold move by the Commissioner,” said Nneka Ogwumike, WNBPA President and Seattle Storm forward. “It is time to be transformational. It’s time to bet on women.”

While Parker’s feelings of betrayal are evident, the broader context remains crucial: the WNBA’s continued push to improve the players’ experience is a testament to the league’s growing strength. However, the timing of these transformative changes, especially when it comes at the expense of one of its brightest stars, has left a bitter taste for some.