WNBA’s “Weird” Policy Comes to Light as Caitlin Clark and Co. Travel in Public Transport: “Liberty Were Fined $500K…”

With the WNBA preseason set to tip off tomorrow, Caitlin Clark is getting all the attention ahead of the Indiana Fever game. While the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer has been in the headlines for a few years now, moving to the big leagues comes with more media focus. But that can become a distressing thing as some fans pointed out, including The Atlantic Writer, Jemele Hill pointed out. Almost a year after Brittney Griner’s “rock bottom” experience, Hill wants a change in the league’s policy.

Cameras started to surround Caitlin Clark at the DFW airport in Dallas today. She will be starring in her first-ever WNBA game tomorrow against the Dallas Wings, and the excitement is over the roof. However, this crowding around Clark questions her safety as well. This is where Hill believes charter flights can come in handy for the players. 

Charter flights are private flights that do not come under the scheduled travels of an airline. These are privately booked by the teams, and it helps to avoid crowd gatherings like Clark and the Indiana Fever witnessed. However, WNBA’s policy doesn’t allow that to happen. 

Hill shared on X, “The WNBA only allows charter flights on back-to-backs during the regular season and in the postseason — even though some teams have expressed a willingness to provide charter flights for their players the whole season. The Liberty were fined $500K for going against league rules and providing charters for their players.” She further called it “weird,” saying, “It seems each team should have been allowed to make their own decision about this from the jump.”

While most major North American sports teams always fly charter, the WNBA controversially does not. This issue has been raised numerous times in the past by the players and fans as well. From Brittney Griner to Kayle McBride, players have often spoken out for change.

Disappointing experiences for multiple WNBA stars

As per The Athletic’s article from 2023, Brittney Griner spoke to the WNBA executive director, Terri Jackson, about ways to improve player travel. Griner had a harrowing experience at an airport last year, calling it “rock bottom“. The Phoenix Mercury star recommended giving lounge access at the airports. And the WNBPA took note. It partnered with Priority Pass ahead of last season, giving access to the players to more than 1,300 lounges in 148 countries. But there were still some issues.

In June 2023, the Minnesota Lynx faced a lengthy delay at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on their way to a game against the New York Liberty. Their star guard, Kayla McBride, wished for another option. Unlike the WNBA, the NBA teams fly charter regularly. So what does the future look like in this regard?

As per the same The Athletic article, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said that the league would need a “significant revenue source” to afford a full charter program. So, the players might have to get used to some short-term improvements for now.