Elena Delle Donne now faces a tough decision. She was denied her medical request to opt out of the 2020 WNBA season.
“The independent panel of doctors the league appointed to review high-risk cases have advised that I’m not high risk, and should be permitted to play in the bubble,” Delle Donne said, per ESPN’s John Barr and Sarah Spain.
Delle Donne suffers from Lyme Disease. Delle Donne says her personal physician has “advised me that I’m at high risk for contracting and having complications from COVID-19.”
A three-person panel of independent doctors will review cases of players who may be “high risk” for complications of COVID-19. Their decisions are final and players cannot appeal the decisions, according to Delle Donne’s agent.
Delle Donne said she will mull over her options and consult with her wife before making a decision on whether to play or not.
If she opts out, she will not be paid her 2020 WNBA salary. She is slated to make $215,000 this season, according to Spotrac.
Delle Donne was named the 2019 WNBA MVP, leading the Mystics to their first-ever WNBA championship. Tina Charles, who the Mystics acquired in a trade this offseason, is still awaiting a decision for her medical opt-out request.
If both players choose to opt out, the Mystics will have to play out the season with nine players due to salary cap restraints.
