Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever were the beneficiaries of the WNBA‘s first-ever charter flight.
The WNBA instituted a charter program ahead of the upcoming season. Although the extent of the charter flights doesn’t cater to all 12 teams, plenty still marveled at the monumental step for the league.
The program was installed as Clark’s entry into the league brings much interest following her historic college career in Iowa.
On Monday, Fever guard Erica Wheeler shared a video of her teammates lounging on their charter flight ahead of their season opener on the road against the Connecticut Sun.
In Wheeler’s story, Clark is seen in the opening frame, sitting comfortably on her seat. ‘Charter Fever,’ she captioned. She then walks down the aisle, showing the players scattered through the aircraft.
Rookie Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever caught the WNBA’s first-ever charter flight
Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky will not be flying charter on their three-game road stint
While the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft will be traveling comfortably toward her regular season debut, former LSU star Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky will not be flying charter as they open their campaign on the road.
The Sky drafted former South Carolina star Kamilla Cardoso and Reese with the third and seventh picks, respectively. Chicago will open their season with back-to-back games in Dallas before facing the New York Liberty in Brooklyn.
According to Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times, Sky center Elizabeth Williams confirmed that players have a town hall with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Monday and expect to have more clarity on the situation.
The WNBA instituted a charter program ahead of Clark’s highly-anticipated rookie season
Breanna Stewart insisted the WNBA should allow teams to secure their own charter flights
Additionally, Liberty star and reigning league MVP Breanna Stewart expressed her thought about the uneven distribution of charter flights. Along with Sabrina Ionescu, Stewart led the Liberty to a WNBA Finals appearance last season before losing to the Las Vegas Aces.
‘2 out of 5 WNBA teams traveling today are on WNBA charters – and that’s a win,’ Stewart wrote on X. ‘It could be a bigger one if the W allowed teams who were not offered League charters to secure their own until a full 12 team solution is ready. @WNBA.’
‘Trip #1 of the season – Charter Bus.’
