The Washington Mystics will have a chance to defend their WNBA title after all following the league’s announcement of a plan to launch the 2020 season in July. Like all sports, the WNBA season has been on hold as the nation sorted through the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The league is finalizing a partnership that would make IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, the official home of the WNBA season highlighted by a competitive schedule of 22 regular-season games followed by a traditional playoff format.
Beginning in July, IMG Academy will be the home for the Mystics and the league’s 11 other teams and serve as a single site for training camp, games, and housing. Due to the fluid situation resulting from the pandemic, the league and players will continue to be mindful of appropriate health and safety protocols and make necessary changes to the plan prior to arriving on site for the start of training camp and throughout the season.
“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,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
“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,” she continued. “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.”
Under the current plan, teams will report to IMG Academy in early July and regular-season action will tip off in late July after a team training camp period. Although the WNBA 2020 season will be played without fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league will continue to build on the current momentum around the WNBA and the players, while offering fans a front row seat at home thanks to broadcast partners ESPN, CBS Sports Network and NBA TV.
This won’t quite be the same for Mystics fans who were ready to cheer their team on to a potential back-to-back championship. Nonetheless, the WNBA has a plan to come back and that is exciting news considering that sports has been at a halt for three months.