The WNBA’s New York Liberty faced a league-record fine of $500,000 for arranging private flights for players in the latter part of the 2021 season.
Despite the hefty fine, reports suggest that the league was contemplating more severe actions following the Liberty’s violations, including the possibility of losing draft picks, ownership suspension, or even the termination of the franchise, as per SI.
The owners of the Liberty, the Tsais, who bought the team in 2019, expressed their commitment to resolving the transportation issue permanently back in July.
The New York Liberty holds a significant presence as one of the original WNBA franchises, making any potential removal from the market a critical decision.
The controversy surrounding New York’s charter flights is the unfair advantage it may create, given that not all team owners have the resources to afford such high-end transportation.
