Basketball Star's Commercial Flight Sparks WNBA Debate

The debate surrounding the WNBA’s travel arrangements has reignited after former college basketball sensation Caitlin Clark’s first trip with the Indiana Fever. Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, flew commercial with her teammates to Dallas for a preseason game against the Wings.

Footage circulated on social media showing Clark and the Fever players arriving at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, prompting questions from fans about why the league doesn’t charter private flights for its teams. The Iowa Hawkeyes, Clark’s alma mater, utilized charter flights during her illustrious NCAA career.

“It’ll definitely be an adjustment, but it is what it is,” Clark acknowledged when asked about the issue. “At this point of my career and across the WNBA, it is what it is. I’m sure, certainly, everybody would say that they would love to be flying charter all the time – that definitely would help a lot of problems.”

Clark’s meteoric rise to stardom has been accompanied by increased security concerns, particularly after the high-profile incident involving a fan rushing the court during an Ohio State game last season. The Fever have implemented measures to ensure Clark’s safety while traveling, though the team’s general manager, Lin Dunn, declined to provide specifics.

“We’re certainly aware of what took place at Iowa when she traveled to away arenas, and certainly we’re aware of what happened at Ohio State, and we’re going to take all the precautions we can to make sure that not only is she safe, but that I’m safe – that we’re all safe, that all the players are prepared to be safe and secure,” Dunn stated.

The WNBA’s decision to fly commercial has long been a contentious topic, with players and advocates arguing that charter flights would enhance player comfort, recovery, and overall experience. Last year, the league allocated $4 million to provide charter flights for the playoffs and back-to-back regular-season games, a practice that will continue this season, according to Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

“No one wants (charters) more than I do for these players. We need to be in the right financial position,” Engelbert said last month. “Just a few years ago, we were surviving. Now we’re going from survive to thrive. We want to do it at the appropriate time.”

Clark, whose record-breaking NCAA career helped propel women’s basketball to unprecedented viewership levels, acknowledges the challenges but remains focused on the court. “It’s not like we’re the odd man out here. Everybody has to navigate it, and I think it’s going to cause some problems, maybe, because the popularity of our league is continuing to grow and having to navigate travel with that,” she said.

“But at the same time, that’s a positive thing, too. You want people to be excited about our game. Hopefully, it changes in the near future, but for now that’s just what it is, and everybody’s dealing with the same thing. You can’t use it as an excuse.”

As the WNBA’s profile continues to rise, fueled by transcendent talents like Clark, the league’s ability to provide an optimal travel experience for its players will remain a pressing issue. For now, the former collegiate superstar is adjusting to the realities of professional basketball, navigating airports and commercial flights while maintaining her pursuit of on-court excellence.