WNBA announces expansion of charter flights program

On Monday morning, the WNBA announced the decision to expand itscharter flight program ahead of the 2023 season. The expansiondoesn't quite reach complete coverage yet, though a meaningful stephas been taken.

Starting this season, the league will charter flight for allpostseason games through the WNBA Finals, the Commisioner's CupChampionship Game and select regular-season games when teams haveback-to-backs on the schedule.

It's a welcome improvement, especially in light of the regularseason expanding from 36 to 40 games this year. That will naturallylead to some condensed scheduling in certain parts of the season,further highlighting the need for better travelaccomodations.

You can read the full press release below:

NEW YORK, April. 10,2023–The Women’s National BasketballAssociation (WNBA) will be expanding its charter flights programfor players this season, it was announced today by theleague.

The charter program will includeflights for all postseason games beginning with the start of 2023WNBA Playoffs through the WNBA Finals, the WNBA Commissioner’s CupChampionship Game, and select regular season games where teams haveback-to-back games on the schedule.

“We continue the hard work oftransforming the business of the league, and the ability to expandthis program is a direct result of that,” said WNBA CommissionerCathy Engelbert. “Since joining the league a few years ago, a goalof mine has been to enhance the overall player experience and, inthat regard, make incremental improvements where we are able to doso and when we believe the economic model would support it for thelong-term. I’m pleased that we are able to broaden the program thisyear for the players. As the league continues to grow, we will lookto do more in the future.”

Previously, the WNBA approved charterflights in specific instances during select games in recent yearsand in 2022 expanded the program to include the WNBA Commissioner’sCup Championship Game and all WNBA Finals games.

About the WNBA

The WNBA, which will tip off its27thseason on May 19, is a bold, progressivebasketball league that stands for the power of women. Featuring 12teams, the W is a unique sports property that combines competitionand entertainment with a commitment to diversity, equity andinclusion and social responsibility. Through its world-classathletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts,digital and social content and community outreach programs, theleague celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and theculture around it.

In 2020, the WNBA and the Women’sNational Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) signed agroundbreaking eight-year CBA that charts a new course for women’sbasketball – and women’s sports overall – with a focus on increasedplayer compensation, improvements to the player experience,expanded career development opportunities and resourcesspecifically tailored to the female professional athlete.

Key elements of the agreement aresupported through the league’s partnership platform, WNBAChangemakers, with AT&T, the WNBA’s Marquee Partner andinaugural Changemaker, as well as fellow inaugural ChangemakersDeloitte and NIKE, Inc, and subsequent additions Google and U.S.Bank. During the 2020 season, the WNBA and WNBPA launched the WNBAJustice Movement forming the Social Justice Council with themission of being a driving force of necessary change and continuingconversations about race and voting rights, among other importantsocietal issues.