WNBA's Engelbert talks charter flights, expansion

The WNBA will "once again pay for charter flights for the entire playoffs as well as for back-to-back games during the upcoming season that require air travel," Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said last night. There are more back-to-back sets this season with the WNBA taking a long break for the Olympics in late July and early August. The league spent $4M on charters in 2023 and "will do the same this year." Engelbert also said she "hopes to have 16 teams in the league by 2028," up from the current 12. The WNBA is adding a team next year, when a Golden State franchise in S.F. will join the league. Golden State will get a chance to build its roster "through an expansion draft" (AP, 4/15).

Engelbert did not answer a question about if the league "discussed moving the 2024 All-Star Game" from Phoenix during her pre-draft remarks. Just last week, the Arizona Supreme Court voted to enforce a near-total abortion ban in the state (USA TODAY, 4/15).