Caitlin Clark is about to get her WNBA career off the ground. And she’s getting off the ground in style on a more literal note.
The WNBA made a significant move ahead of this season as commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced last week that the league is moving away from commercial flights.
“We intend to fund a full-time charter for this season,” she told reporters last Tuesday. “as soon as we can get planes in places.”
The Indiana Fever, who open their regular season against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, hopped on a charter flight on Monday for the first time in the regular season (at least as a team). And they appeared to really enjoy themselves.
Veteran guard Erica Wheeler recorded her teammates after they got on board, and you can see them all celebrating the novel development in the video below:
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The WNBA Will Be Spending Millions On Charter Flights
As expected, the change won’t come cheap. Engelbert has revealed that charter flights will cost the league around $25 million annually for the next two years.
According to the Associated Press, the WNBA spent $4 million on charter flights in 2023.
WNBA teams flew commercial except during the playoffs, Commissioner’s Cup championship, and back-to-back games.
Travel had been a sore point for players for several years, and during the last CBA negotiations in 2020, it was agreed that all players would fly in premium economy cabins. The league also signed a deal with Priority Pass to get airport lounge access before last year’s flights.
So, of course, this has come through as a welcome change. It’s no wonder Caitlin Clark and her teammates are celebrating.
