All 12 WNBA Teams Will Finally Fly Private With New Delta Partnership

Delta Air Lines will become the official airline provider of all WNBA teams. While Delta has agreed to provide airfares for the majority of flights throughout the 2024 season, both parties have now agreed to a multi-year deal to fly every team to every game for years that follow.
 

The Ball's In Delta's Court

With the WNBA's booming business, Delta has arranged a deal with the association to provide charter flights to every team and event for the foreseeable future.

According to ESPN, the deal between Delta and the WNBA will cost around $25 million yearly for at least the next two seasons.

With this new deal, WNBA teams will have their very own planes and flight schedules without adhering to the airline's schedule or company of other passengers. These flights will cover travel and amenities for players, staff, and crew.

“We’re proud to partner with the WNBA, where every game is a testament to our shared values of teamwork and perseverance ... We look forward to serving these incredible athletes on their journeys and furthering Delta’s support of women’s athletics”, said Delta CEO Ed Bastian in a press release.
 

This deal with Delta stems from a recent surge in popularity for WNBA games, including jumps in viewership, live attendance, merchandise sales, and app usage. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is heavily cited as the catalyst for this upwards momentum, as her elite skill-set and clutch performance while playing in college has caught the attention of many basketball fans leading up to her WNBA rookie season. 
 

The WNBA has garnered over a million viewers for over a dozen different games this past season — most featuring Clark and the Fever. The WNBA all-star game also touted 3.44 million viewers. Needless to say, this record-shattering interest has led to many business partnerships for women's basketball, with Delta being one of the most crucial for travel accommodations.

Life Before Clark

Prior to Delta's involvement, WNBA players had to rely on flying commercial or travel by bus for the past three decades. Like any other passenger, WNBA players would have to wait in long lines to get through security and customers before boarding planes with other travelers.

For decades, the WNBA has operated on a shoestring budget with the average player earning around the ballpark of $55,000 per year. For women that wanted a successful career in basketball, they would have to also play overseas during the WNBA's offseason. 

Las Vegas Aces star Jackie Young is currently the highest-paid player in the league at $250,000 per year, but whether these contracts can approach NBA levels in the future thanks to Clark and other young prodigies remains to be seen. One of the world's largest airlines certainly has faith in the WNBA to reach these milestones.

Delta certainly sees potential for the WNBA to take off, despite a lackluster first three decades in existence and a revolving door of franchises that have come and gone. It takes a process to ensure fans stay tuned in for the foreseeable future, otherwise the league might find itself back to square one sooner than later.

But what do you think? Is this a good move for Delta? Did you have a favorite WNBA team growing up, such as the Cleveland Rockers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!