Earlier this week, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert revealed that the league would institute a constitution flight program for gamers starting this season. The league ideas off its common season on Tuesday, Could 14.
“The aim is to offer a full-time constitution flight service for the upcoming season,” Engelbert acknowledged throughout a gathering with Related Press Sports activities Editors (APSE). “The logistics are being finalized as rapidly as potential.”
Engelbert expressed her pleasure concerning the launch of the complete constitution program.
“We’re thrilled to announce the launch of a full constitution program as quickly as sensible for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, a testomony to the continued development of the WNBA,” she mentioned in a launch. “We have now been exhausting at work to remodel the enterprise and construct a sustainable financial mannequin to help constitution flights for the long run. Whereas we nonetheless have a number of work to do to proceed to execute our strategic plan, we really feel assured that the time is now to institute a full constitution program to show our dedication to main with a player-first agenda.”
This system will probably be primarily managed by Delta Air Strains, a number one sports activities charterer. The airline’s CEO, Ed Bastian, shared his enthusiasm about partnering with the WNBA on this historic development for ladies’s skilled sports activities.
“It’s thrilling so as to add the WNBA to our prestigious roster of sports activities constitution companions as we take part on this historic development in ladies’s skilled sports activities,” he mentioned. “We’re trying ahead to offering the WNBA with the welcoming, caring and elevated service that Delta individuals have made well-known.”
The coverage change, which permits and supplies for constitution journey throughout all groups ranging from the 2024 season, has been warmly obtained by the gamers. Seattle Storm ahead and WNBPA President Nneka Ogwumike expressed her appreciation for the long-awaited transfer.
“I’m thrilled to see a big change in coverage that can allow and supply constitution journey throughout all groups all through the 2024 season and going ahead,” Ogwumike mentioned. “On behalf of the gamers, I categorical my appreciation and help for a daring transfer by the Commissioner and group governors that in flip exhibits that they perceive and worth the well being and security of the gamers. It’s time to be transformational. It’s time to guess on ladies.”
The WNBA raised $75 million in capital in February 2022 and continues to make strides in its strategic plan.
