Diana Taurasi sounded off on the WNBA’s travel policies during a press conference Thursday, joining the chorus of players calling for changes to the WNBA’s commercial flight policy.
The Mercury veteran spoke after the team’s Thursday loss about the impact of flying commercial during the peak summer travel season, which could potentially expose players and staff to COVID-19 amid the country’s latest surge in cases.
“It’s unfortunate that we have to travel this way because it really does take a toll on you physically and now your health is at risk for you and your family,” Taurasi said. “It’s a shame that we are still talking about this 25 years later when there are big pockets out there that can change this thing, but you know, we’re just women.”
🚨MUST LISTEN 🚨The GOAT sounds off... Skylar Diggins-Smith missed Thursday's game with an illness. DT calls out @WNBA travel conditions and the "big pockets" that don't change it. @12SportsAZ "Big pockets out there that can change this thing, but you know, we're just women." pic.twitter.com/pPUEXZd5Gx— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) May 20, 2022
🚨MUST LISTEN 🚨The GOAT sounds off... Skylar Diggins-Smith missed Thursday's game with an illness. DT calls out @WNBA travel conditions and the "big pockets" that don't change it. @12SportsAZ "Big pockets out there that can change this thing, but you know, we're just women." pic.twitter.com/pPUEXZd5Gx
Taurasi joins the likes of Breanna Stewart and Natasha Cloud, who also have been critical of the league’s travel arrangements.
In March, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told ESPN, “It would be more than $20 million a year to fund charter flights for an entire WNBA season,” adding that the cost isn’t something she feels the league could handle.