Development, recognition current safety considerations, challenges for WNBA

Connecticut Solar coach Stephanie White was an All-American and nationwide champion for the Purdue Boilermakers within the Nineteen Nineties and a WNBA star into the 2000s.

However, she mentioned, the recognition and degree of recognition for as we speak’s high ladies’s basketball gamers, similar to No. 1 WNBA draft decide Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever, has skyrocketed since her enjoying days.

“It is nuts. It is night time and day,” White mentioned. “I have been concerned on this league for a very long time. Simply seeing the distinction within the crowds that come earlier than and keep after to get autographs, to the crowds which are flooding resort lobbies. You see it that means on the lads’s facet. … That is the best way it has been trending [on the women’s side].”

And with development come new challenges.

“As a corporation, we regularly speak about participant security and having safety. We remind our gamers that if now we have someone obtainable for safety, make the most of them,” White mentioned. “I am grateful for the expansion of our sport, however we additionally want to remain forward of the curve by way of defending our gamers.”

The league introduced this week that it’s taking a serious step — one gamers have known as for over the previous a number of years — in getting constitution flights for your entire 2024 season. The WNBA mentioned Thursday that charters could be “phased in” beginning with this common season “as quickly as sensible.”

The gamers see constitution flights as an enormous assist for well being causes in addition to security causes. It is going to save time and put on and tear on their our bodies. But it surely additionally permits groups to keep away from doubtlessly uncomfortable conditions in airports, as occurred final season when a YouTube provocateur confronted Phoenix Mercury middle Brittney Griner.

“We have at all times been a league touted as extremely accessible to followers, and that is nothing we need to change,” mentioned Seattle Storm ahead Nneka Ogwumike, president of the gamers’ union. “However with the evolution of our sport and the expansion, now we have to be somewhat extra aware of what that accessibility seems to be like.

“We’re all getting into new territory, the place we’re all going to be experiencing issues we have not earlier than. The inflow of those new youthful gamers which are bringing their followings goes to name for issues that possibly we have not performed earlier than. It would not take away the authenticity of us being accessible, however nonetheless maintains the boundaries mandatory for the gamers to really feel safe.”

Clark’s recognition soared her final two seasons at Iowa and has continued within the WNBA. Different gamers within the 2024 draft class additionally constructed up their profiles whereas in faculty, helped by NIL offers that made them extra seen by way of endorsements.

No. 2 decide Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks mentioned she would not consider she has any points with safety herself. Nonetheless, the Stanford grad is worried for others.

“I fear for pals of mine — Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark,” Brink mentioned.

Clark and Reese, the No. 7 decide by the Chicago Sky out of LSU, reached nice heights in recognition whereas nonetheless in faculty. It is precisely what ladies’s basketball has wanted. Reese and Clark are outgoing and join effectively with followers, and their impression on the WNBA’s recognition is already being felt.

However the recognition can also draw followers with questionable intentions.

“Chicago has performed a fantastic job of having the ability to verify I used to be protected,” Reese mentioned. “I do know [Sky personnel] have my again. They’re going to say no for one thing I’ll not see [isn’t] greatest for me. I am nonetheless studying to say the phrase ‘no.’

“It is a large shift, clearly, in ladies’s basketball and issues we have not seen earlier than.”

Indiana normal supervisor Lin Dunn mentioned the Fever took observe of the safety measures Iowa put in place to take care of the crush of followers who surrounded Clark.

“All of it goes to visibility,” Dunn instructed ESPN. “Prior to now, our gamers weren’t acknowledged as a lot. However take a look at the hundreds of thousands who watched the Ultimate 4 and the draft. They know who these gamers are. We’re simply being attentive to security extra — all of us, the league and the groups.”

The WNBA has safety briefings with groups and supplies them with assets and steerage.

“Making certain the protection and safety of WNBA gamers is paramount,” commissioner Cathy Engelbert mentioned in an announcement to ESPN. “The league’s safety insurance policies and area requirements have been developed in session with skilled safety professionals, and the league hires devoted safety representatives in every WNBA group market to work in coordination with the group safety personnel.”

Nonetheless, Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Grey reiterated this week that though particular person group safety has improved, she stays involved concerning the league as a complete.

“The Aces have taken the mandatory steps to guard folks in our group,” Grey mentioned. “As a complete, I feel the onus continues to be on the groups. With the league, I do not know that the fitting precautions have taken place. However the Aces group has been like, ‘If it is a drawback for our gamers, we hear you and let’s make a change.'”

Aces coach Becky Hammon performed 16 years within the WNBA. She mentioned safety was one of many first subjects she mentioned with Las Vegas administration when she got here again to the WNBA earlier than the 2022 season after eight years as an NBA assistant coach.

“If our gamers need to exit to dinner, I would like somebody going there with them,” Hammon mentioned. “I would like them walked to the restaurant and coming again. So we have employed safety to journey with us full time and at each occasion now we have.”

She mentioned security is a priority, particularly for gamers who stand out anyway due to their top and/or public profile.

“We need to make certain they’re taken care of,” Hammon mentioned.