Breanna Stewart calls for changes afer Brittney Griner airport confrontation
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was allegedly aggressively confronted at Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport on Saturday while traveling with her team. This has led to calls for increased player safety from some WNBA players, including Liberty forward Breanna Stewart. Stewart spoke to reporters ahead of the Liberty’s 102-93 win over Dallas on Sunday, calling for extra precautionary measures to be taken to ensure the safety of WNBA players while traveling.
Stewart suggested that Brittney Griner should have access to charter flights whenever she wants, in order to travel in comfort and safety. “Because that’s the last thing we want is what happened [Saturday],” she said. Alex Stein, a personality on BlazeTV known for provoking politicians, berated Griner with questions about her release from a Russian prison while videoing the encounter on his phone.
The WNBA has announced plans to expand the use of charter planes in the playoffs and in cases of back-to-back games starting in 2023. However, commercial flights remain the primary mode of transportation for WNBA athletes during the regular season. Stewart believes that this needs to change, stating that the increased schedule of 40 games this year means that players need more rest and recovery time between games.
“It’s unfortunate, obviously, what happened to BG. It should never happen. Hopefully change can happen,” Liberty coach Sandy Brondello said. “For us, nothing has happened yet, but should we have to wait for a ‘yet’? That’s the big thing — these players have to be protected.”
The WNBA cites financial restrictions as the reason why charter flights are not a season-long option. However, some players feel that their safety and performance should be prioritized over financial concerns.
FAQs:
What happened to Brittney Griner at the airport?
Brittney Griner was allegedly aggressively confronted at Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport by a personality known for provoking politicians while traveling with her team, the Phoenix Mercury.
What has been the response to this incident?
WNBA player Breanna Stewart has called for increased player safety measures, including access to charter flights, to ensure the safety and well-being of WNBA athletes while traveling.
Why are charter flights not currently a season-long option for WNBA teams?
The WNBA cites financial restrictions as the reason why charter flights are not currently used for season-long travel during the regular season.
After Brittney Griner airport confrontation, Breanna Stewart urges for alterations
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was reportedly confronted in an aggressive manner while traveling with her team at Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport on Saturday. Liberty forward Breanna Stewart took to Twitter to address the player safety issue raised by the incident, and spoke out before her team’s game on Sunday against the Dallas Wings about the changes she believes need to be made in the WNBA.
Stewart suggested that “extra precautionary measures” need to be taken to ensure the safety of players, and proposed that players, like Griner, be given the option of charter flights to travel in comfort and safety. Alex Stein, a personality on BlazeTV, was said to have provoked Griner with questions about her release from a Russian prison while videoing the encounter.
The WNBA previously announced in April that the use of charter planes would be expanded to accommodate teams during the playoffs in 2023 and in cases of back-to-back games, but commercial flights remain the primary mode of transportation for athletes throughout the regular season. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello noted that “these players have to be protected,” while Stewart emphasized the importance of charter flights for athlete recovery and performance and suggested that owners should support such measures for “health and safety” reasons. The WNBA cites financial restrictions as a reason why charter flights are not consistently available throughout the season.