Washington Mystics star Elena Delle Donne faced a tough decision. She was seeking a medical exemption for the 2020 WNBA season. However, an independent panel of doctors denied her request, ruling she was not at high risk from complications of COVID-19 despite her suffering from Lyme Disease.
Due to their decision, Delle Donne had to decide whether she will play in the WNBA’s bubble in Bradeton, Florida risking her health or opting not to play and be subject to not being paid her $215,000 in base salary.
Delle Donne expressed her disappointment and concerns with the panel’s decision in an entry with Players’ Tribune.
However, she no longer has to worry about being paid if she opts not to play. Mystics general manager and head coach Mike Thibault stated Washington will continue to pay the 2019 WNBA MVP while she rehabs from back surgery.
“She is being paid and is continuing to rehab from her offseason back surgery. If at some point later in the season, we are all comfortable – I mean all comfortable – enough with both her physical progress and the safety of joining the team in Florida, then we will make those arrangements. If we don’t feel that she will continue to do the workouts in D.C., and get herself ready for the following season.”
Thibault added the Mystics organization “will never put Elena’s or any other of all other players’ health and well-being in jeopardy at any time added the Mystics organizations.”
Delle Donne suffered the injury in last year’s WNBA playoffs. She played the WNBA Finals with three herniated disks in her back.
Her rehab was halted after the league shut down team facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Mystics are set to tip off their 22-game schedule on July 25. Meanwhile, Delle Donne will continue her rehab in DC.
Due to WNBA health guidelines, the Mystics had to wait for Delle Donne to first make a public statement surrounding the panel’s decision before speaking on the matter. The team’s decision eliminates the pressure she felt deciding to play or not. Surely, some of the outrage directed at the WNBA will now subdue.
