Kathy Engelbert, the commissioner of the WNBA, said on May 7 that the league is almost ready to start a program that will help all 12 teams get to away games by chartering planes.
Engelbert hasn’t said for sure what caused this big change. However, the public was outraged when Caitlin Clark arrived at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on May 2 with very little protection. It looks like the Indiana Fever star played a part in the change.
Engelbert’s announcement came after Christine Brennan of USA Today wrote the first story on X.
It wasn’t long after Brennan’s post that Engelbert confirmed the program existed at the Associated Press Sports Editors Commissioners Meetings in New York on May 7. Per USA Today, she was reported as saying that the program would begin “as soon as we can get planes in places.”
He also said, “We plan to pay for a full-time charter for this season.” “We’ll do it as soon as we can get it going.” Who knows, maybe a few weeks or a month… We’re very excited about the possibilities here.
Read More: News sources say Caitlin Clark is about to sign a new 8-year deal with Nike.
To the X video above from @HowertonNews, Jemele Hill of The Atlantic wrote, “I hope Caitlin Clark will force the WNBA to deal with the charter flight issue like Brittney Griner did.”
“”It’s about player health and safety,” Hill said. “The WNBA only lets charter flights happen on back-to-backs during the regular season and the playoffs. However, some teams have said they would be willing to give their players charter flights all season.” The Liberty were fined $500K for giving their players passes, which is against league rules.
Caitlin Clark At a Dallas airport, Brittney Griner was groped
Clark isn’t the only WNBA star who has had security issues at the Dallas airport.
A YouTube star made fun of Phoenix Mercury singer Brittney Griner in the Dallas airport in June 2023.
CNN says the harasser’s name was Alex Stein. Stein was born and raised in Dallas. He is known for taking on leaders online.
Read More: USA Basketball Says Something About Caitlin Clark’s Chances of Going to the Olympics.
Stein put up a picture on X on June 10 and wrote, “I just met my favorite WNBA player.” “Video coming soon.”
Then he put up a short video of himself yelling at Griner as she walked through the Dallas airport.
Later that day, Brianna Turner, Griner’s teammate, wrote on X, “Player safety while traveling should be at the top of the list.” It is never okay for people to follow you around with cameras and make rude comments. Too much abuse. Our team was nervously huddled in a corner, not sure what to do next. We expect better.
Because of what happened, the WNBA let Griner fly private charters for the rest of the season. She has been through terrible horrors after dealing with Russian airport security.
What Does This Mean For The Fever’s Plans To Travel?
Before the season starts, Clark and the Indiana Fever play their first home game on May 9 against the Atlanta Dream.
In their first game of the season, the Fever play the Connecticut Sun on the road on May 14.
It’s not clear if the WNBA’s chartered planes will be available in a week. If not, Clark and her friends will have to take another commercial flight.
This story was first posted on Heavy.com.
