Kareem Abdul-Jabbar congratulates Breanna Stewart for calling consideration to WNBA journey points
Prime free agent Breanna Stewart’s proposition to subsidize charter flights for WNBA gamers was met with assist from everywhere in the league and past. On Thursday morning, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar weighed in.
“Been there – carried out that & performed on the highest ranges. At this time’s NBA gamers by no means needed to take care of the results of business journey on their our bodies,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote. “I’m all for WNBA gamers getting equal rights. Congrats Breanna for elevating this subject.”
Stewart is in a unique position of power throughout this free company. She has been using emojis to speak the place she may land, as she reportedly meets with the Seattle Storm, Minnesota Lynx, Washington Mystics and New York Liberty.
Two-time WNBA champion took to Twitter on Monday to leverage her affect, writing that she “would like to be a part of a deal that helps subsidize constitution journey for all the WNBA” by contributing earnings from her title, picture and likeness offers.
Her thought was backed up by WNBA stars like Elena Delle Donne, Chiney Ogwumike, Kahleah Copper, Layshia Clarendon, Alysha Clark and the not too long ago retired Sue Chicken. UConn ahead Paige Bueckers, former NBA participant and social media persona Rex Chapman and Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant additionally boosted the concept.
In a manner, Abul-Jabbar’s co-sign is exclusive as a result of it comes from somebody who skilled the NBA’s business journey period.
‘Been there, carried out that’
Abdul-Jabbar turned the league’s all-time main scorer throughout a historic 20-year profession. He’s seen some issues. Nonetheless, he’s not the one NBA nice to level out that right now’s gamers won’t ever absolutely perceive the toll that business journey takes when touring to a number of video games in every week.
Fellow Corridor of Famer Charles Barkley spoke about the issue on UConn girls’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma’s podcast in 2017.
“It drives me loopy when guys making $30 million are complaining about enjoying basketball two days in a row,” he mentioned. “We did that and we flew business. These guys, they by no means even go to the airport. I bear in mind I would be sleeping within the airport at 5 o’clock within the morning, touring three hours and enjoying a recreation that day.”
Barkley added that he didn’t see personal journey till the Detroit Pistons set the precedent after successful the championship in 1989.
Like Barkley, the Las Vegas Aces have been pressured to sleep in an airport in August 2018 after ready six hours for his or her finally canceled business flight. They have been scheduled to play the Washington Mystics, a matchup that was additionally canceled an hour after tip-off was delayed.
The variables that include business journey pose an excessive amount of threat because the WNBA prepares for Brittney Griner’s return to the league after her release from Russian prison. Stewart and the remainder of the league’s advocacy has the potential to construct upon no matter lodging are made.