Juan Ocampo/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
One of many WNBA’s largest stars supplied her providers to assist treatment one of many league’s extra persistent off-court points.
Breanna Stewart stated Sunday she “would like to be a part of a deal that helps subsidize constitution journey for the whole WNBA.”
Breanna Stewart @breannastewart
I might like to be a part of a deal that helps subsidize constitution journey for the whole WNBA.
I might contribute my NIL, posts + manufacturing hrs to make sure all of us journey in a method that prioritizes participant well being + security, which finally ends in a greater product.
Who’s with me?
A few of Stewart’s present and former friends endorsed her plan:
The latest collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and gamers’ union did not assure gamers chartered journey to and from video games. As a substitute, they have been assured of premium economic system standing, which was an improve from the final CBA.
Nonetheless, that also leaves a whole lot of gamers coping with cramped circumstances on the airplane, they usually finally stay on the mercy of the business airline business.
There are quite a few examples up to now of groups having to scramble after flights have been delayed or canceled fully.
Scrutiny towards the WNBA intensified final March, when Sports activities Illustrated‘s Howard Megdal reported the league fined the New York Liberty $500,000 partially for offering their gamers with chartered journey.
Days later in an interview with ESPN’s M.A. Voepel, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated the price of chartered flights for every crew could be greater than $20 million. Engelbert added the league was awaiting company buy-in:
“We have requested all the most important airways. We have requested constitution firms. I have been engaged on this for the reason that second I got here into the league. However with out sponsors stepping up, it is simply not within the playing cards proper now. If we might get it sponsored or funded not directly … I am all ears. I’ve gotten a number of calls over the previous 12 months about this since we have been again in our 12 markets. Then when folks value it out, they usually see it is $20 million-plus, you by no means hear from them once more.”
Megdal reported the Liberty had proposed an unofficial plan in September 2021 that might open the door for each crew to get chartered journey for 3 years. The concept did not get the requisite approval from the WNBA Board of Governors.
In an announcement to Megdal, the league disputed the report and stated the Liberty had agreed to “discover alternatives relating to constitution flights and current it to the Board,” however that nothing actionable had emerged but.
Based mostly on Stewart’s social media put up, the gamers are very happy to supply their enter and time to discover a resolution.
