Los Angeles Sparks standout Nneka Ogwumike said via social media Monday evening that «transformational growth» in the WNBA is being impeded by continued travel issues and what she sees as «tired arguments» against possible remedies.
Ogwumike and the Sparks had travel woes Sunday at Dulles Airport in Virginia after their victory Sunday over the Washington Mystics. After two delays, the Sparks' flight was canceled and rebooked for Monday morning.
«First time in my 11 seasons that I have ever had to sleep in the airport,» Ogwumike said in a video posted on social media in the early hours of Monday. «Half of us are sleeping at an airport, half of us are at a hotel. There weren't enough rooms after our flight got delayed, delayed (again) and then canceled at 1 a.m. It is now 1:44, and we're here until 9 a.m.»
The Sparks boarded the Monday morning flight and were back in Los Angeles by around noon; they will host the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday night as the WNBA finishes its last week of the regular season.
Multiple sources told ESPN that every Sparks player actually was offered a hotel room, but not all at the same hotel because a limited number of rooms were available. But because of the late hour and need to be back at the airport with such a short turnaround time for the rescheduled flight, some players opted to stay at the airport. Sparks player Lexie Brown also confirmed that, via social media.
According to a CNN report, more than 900 flights were canceled nationwide on Sunday, and nearly 700 were canceled on Saturday as airlines continue to grapple with issues including staff shortages and weather.
The WNBA's travel issues continue to be an issue that players raise on social media, and Ogwumike's high profile as the
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