Commissioner Cathy Engelbert provides clarity to players on charter travel initiative
ARLINGTON, Texas — The WNBA’s charter travel initiative — by the league’s own admission — had a flawed launch.
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert didn’t say, “We made a mistake by announcing the league’s new travel plans in this way.” But the admission of guilt came in the form of a town hall meeting between Engelbert and league players hours after it was revealed that only the Fever and Lynx would begin the season using charters.
On Monday, Engelbert clarified to players why this was the case.
“Flights that cross the country as [the Lynx] going to Seattle, crossing multiple time zones or flights that usually require connecting, those were the priorities,” Sky Center Elizabeth Williams he told the Sun-Times. “That’s why New York didn’t go to D.C. with charter, but Minny goes to Seattle.”
The Sky, Williams said, will travel commercially for its return flight from Dallas and for its trip to New York to play the Liberty on March 23. Williams said Engelbert indicated that by June the league will have charter trips planned for all 12 teams.
After playing their first three games on the road – against the Wings on Wednesday and Saturday, then against Liberty – the Sky have three home games. On June 1st, they play Fever on the road.
Novice forward Angel Reese shared a photo to her Instagram Story on Tuesday with a strong message about charter travel.
“Just praying this is one of the last commercial flights Sky has to fly,” Reese posted.
Reese and his companions have at least three more commercial flights to go.
“Obviously, I think all teams should be licensed,” Reese said. “But I know how to move forward. . . going in the right direction, and there may be some teams [chartering] It’s cool. In the next few weeks, everyone will be flying on charter, which will be really good.”
Championship energy
The last time Reese played in Dallas, she came away with an NCAA title.
Just over a year ago, Reese led LSU to its first championship, defeating Iowa 102-85. She finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals.
“It’s great [to be in Dallas],” said Reese. “I won my national championship here, so to be able to start here where I felt like I was winning here, I’m really happy to be a part of this moment.”
There wasn’t a championship on the line Wednesday night, but Reese and his new coach Teresa WeatherspoonHe said that the game against the Wings was the first step in establishing the foundations of the championship.
“[A championship] That’s what we’re building towards,” Weatherspoon said before the game. “It’s the angel. That’s her mentality. This is her confidence and what she believes in. Of course, we’re just trying to build one day, one game at a time.”
10 available
The Sky has 10 players available with Camila Cardoso (shoulder) and Isabelle Harrison (knee) out.
Weatherspoon did not share a timeline for Harrison’s return, but said she is doing well.
“She’s getting better every day,” Weatherspoon said.
Harrison played six minutes in the Sky’s final preseason game and had six points and three rebounds. It is unclear whether she suffered the injury in that game or in subsequent practices. She did not practice on Monday during the open-to-media portion and did not participate in the shootout on Wednesday.
Weatherspoon said Cardoso is progressing well. She was shooting during the shootout but did not run any sets with her teammates.
