WNBA Announces Season Delay Due to COVID-19

By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor

Yet another professional sports league has fallen due to the global Coronavirus pandemic.

The WNBA announced on April 3rd that it is delaying the start of the training camps and the beginning of the regular season due to the continued spread of COVID-19.

“As developments continue to emerge around the COVID-19 pandemic, including the extension of the social distancing guidelines in the United States through April 30, the WNBA will postpone the start of its training camps and tip of the regular season originally scheduled for May 15,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement released to the media.

“While the league continues to use this time to conduct scenario-planning regarding new start dates and innovative formats, our guiding principle will continue to be the health and safety of the players, fans and employees.”

The league’s training camps were scheduled to begin April 26th with the season scheduled for a May 15th tip-off.

Despite this news, the League is continuing to prepare for its now virtual draft scheduled for April 17th. Top prospects will take part remotely live on ESPN with coverage beginning at 7 pm EST.

“We continue to send our thoughts and prayers to our players, fans, and all of those in the community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are grateful to those selfless health care workers and first responders who work tirelessly on the front lines,” Engelbert said.

The Dallas/Fort Worth’s WNBA team is the Dallas Wings, who play their games in College Park Arena on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington.