WNBA offering 100 percent of player salaries for pandemic-shortened season

The WNBA and Women’s National Basketball Players Association may be able to give fans some good news on Monday, June 15.

On Friday afternoon, ESPN's Mechelle Voepel reported that the WNBA is offering 100 percent of player salaries as part of a proposal to begin a 2020 season shortened by the coronavirus pandemic.

Voepel added the campaign would go from 36 to 22 regular-season contests, with the playoffs holding the league's standard format. The season could begin as early as July 24, and the five-game WNBA Finals would end at some point in October.

Game 7 of the 2020 NBA Finals is penciled in for Oct. 12, but that date is subject to change.

Union members will vote over the weekend on the plan that includes players and other team personnel convening at a bubble site found at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The NBA, NHL and Major League Soccer are all relocating clubs and other workers to hub cities.

While the NBA won't allow family members to join players at Orlando's Walt Disney World Resort until after the first round of the playoffs, Voepel reported that won't be the case for the WNBA:

Players with children would be allowed to bring them in, along with a caretaker; a source said it appeared their lodging, testing and meals would be paid for, similar to that of the players.
Players with at least five years' experience can bring in a "plus-one" — a spouse or significant other — to stay on site for the season, but a source said they will need to pay for that person's lodging, testing and meals, which could amount to approximately $4,000 per month. Once the playoffs reach the semifinals, all players would be allowed to bring in a plus-one.

WNBA players with health complications or pre-existing conditions can opt out of returning to clubs and still receive their salaries. Others can also refuse to play but will forfeit the remainder of their salaries for the season.