• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 17, 2025

WNBA Allows Public Chartered Team Flights, But Aces Reprimanded

  • A new WNBA program this season allows teams to book charter flights through JSX, a public jet service.
  • The Las Vegas Aces created their own flight schedule through JSX, but the WNBA forced them to cancel.
The WNBA forced the Aces to cancel a JSX charter flight.
Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The WNBA has been allowing teams to fly on the public chartering airline JSX as part of this season’s upgraded travel program, which faced renewed criticism from the WNBA Players Association following last weekend’s Dallas airport incident involving Brittney Griner.

JSX is a jet service that operates out of private terminals, eliminating the need for teams and players to go through airports and TSA security. A WNBA source told ESPN that the service provides “a taste of what chartering will be like” should the league eventually adopt a full-season charter flight program, which commissioner Cathy Engelbert previously said would cost more than $20 million per year.

However, the league only permits teams to use pre-set routes and flight times set by JSX. The company allows clients to set their flight routes and times, but this feature costs more and is prohibited by the WNBA. The Las Vegas Aces was recently reprimanded by the league and forced to cancel a charter flight after they used JSX to create ‘pop-up’ routes for their road trip between Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Hartford, reports the Washington Post.

The WNBPA said last week following Griner’s Dallas airport harassment incident that commercial flights are a “threat to health and safety” of players. In addition to the JSX offering, the league’s expanded program this season includes charter flights for all postseason games, the Commissioner’s Cup Championship, and select back-to-back regular season games.  

Last year, the WNBA fined New York Liberty owners Joe and Clara Tsai $500,000 for funding unauthorized team charter flights during the 2021 season. ESPN reports that the Aces are no longer customizing flights through JSX and will not face a fine from the league.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jon Ledecky

Islanders Owner Warns WNBA Against Labor Strife: ‘No Bueno’

Jon Ledecky drew a stark contrast between the two leagues.
exclusive

WNBA’s Fire Prematurely Announce Head Coach Hire on LinkedIn

Portland is expected to hire Alex Sarama from the Cavaliers, FOS confirmed.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with teammates after game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center.

WNBA Finals Draws 1.5M Viewers, Second-Highest Series on ESPN

The four-game series averaged 1.5 million viewers.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Second place Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) sprays champagne on winner Mercedes driver George Russell (63) at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

Apple Officially Taking F1 Rights From ESPN in $700M Deal

ESPN has broadcast F1 in the U.S. since 2018.
October 15, 2025

NHL Raises Concerns Over 2026 Olympic Arena’s Delayed Construction

The commissioner says construction progress in Italy remains a deep concern.
October 16, 2025

NHL Expansion Fee Soars to $2B As League’s Value Surges

The buy-in price for the league will more than triple.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the first quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the Texas Longhorns at Amalie Arena.
October 14, 2025

Dawn Staley Says NBA Far From Ready to Hire a Female Head..

South Carolina’s women’s basketball coach interviewed with the Knicks.
October 14, 2025

Cavaliers Go All In, Lead NBA With Record $392M Payroll

The Cavs are the only second-apron violator in the NBA.
Dec 23, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and Portland Trail Blazers logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center.
October 13, 2025

NBA Reopens Doors in China—and Eyes the WNBA Next

The Mavericks and Rockets are set to play games in Macao next year.
Sep 29, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) poses during media day at Intuit Dome
opinion
October 12, 2025

Clippers’ Aspiration Fiasco Recalls Another Doomed NBA Sponsorship

The Kawhi controversy has shades of the still-recent FTX scandal.