While cases of the Coronavirus continue to rise in the United States, sports leagues seem to be content with resuming their seasons or beginning ones that were ultimately pushed back. One of the leagues that have been contemplating a strategy in light of the virus is none other than the WNBA which typically begins in the summer.
Over the past few weeks, there have been rumors about what their plan of action would be and whether or not they could fit in a condensed season. Well, today, the league announced that they would be playing a 22-game regular-season and would then embark on a normal post-season format. Just like the NBA, every game will be played in Florida although instead of Disney World, the WNBA will call the IMG Academy in Bradenton, their home.
“We are finalizing a season start plan to build on the tremendous momentum generated in the league during the offseason and have used the guiding principles of health and safety of players and essential staff to establish necessary and extensive protocols,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement “We will continue to consult with medical experts and public health officials as well as players, team owners and other stakeholders as we move forward with our execution plan. And, despite the disruption caused by the global pandemic to our 2020 season, the WNBA and its Board of Governors believe strongly in supporting and valuing the elite women athletes who play in the WNBA and therefore, players will receive their full pay and benefits during the 2020 season.”
This is huge news for sports fans as it means there are multiple leagues who think a return to normalcy is possible. Leagues like the WNBA, NBA, and NHL will be the true test of what can actually be done given the circumstances.
[Via]