Like many leagues, the WNBA is working to accommodate their players for life inside of a "bubble" as the 2020 season begins in Florida later this month following the coronavirus pandemic. The transition is not going as smooth as expected for WNBA players, though. Multiple players took to social media recently to reveal problems with their rooms, including showers that didn't drain, as well as the presence of bugs and rodent traps.
With the 2020 campaign scheduled to restart with a 22-game season and playoffs at the IMG Academy in Bradenton on July 24, the league is vowing to improve conditions for players before games start. On Tuesday, the league sent around a survey asking players to explain their feelings on the accommodations. According to ESPN, several players revealed that they've had negative experiences.
"We have been working closely with IMG and the Players Association to address issues players have expressed about one of the housing locations on campus," the WNBA said in a statement Tuesday. "IMG is accommodating all player requests regarding these issues, including moving players to other accommodations."
On Monday, players traveled to Florida to begin living inside the "bubble." Following their arrival, ESPN's Kayla Johnson posted a video on Twitter that was sent to her by a player and it showed a rodent trap on a ledge and a worm in the closet of a laundry room where the players were living.
just got this video from one of the laundry rooms inside the WNBA “bubble” and couldn’t be more disturbed. this is not ok. pic.twitter.com/6FC10jlcql
— Kayla Johnson (@klajohnson) July 7, 2020
According to ESPN, Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson confirmed that the video is real and added that players also have had to deal with broken beds, poor plumbing and less-than-stellar meals.
Seattle Storm guard Jewell B. Loyd and Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby also expressed their frustrations with the conditions on social media.
It’s not. https://t.co/26Q1ovMBcT
— Jewell B Loyd (@jewellloyd) July 7, 2020
Trubble 😂😂 https://t.co/UrwoPLEgZi
— Dearica Marie Hamby (@dearicamarie) July 7, 2020
In addition, Minnesota Lynx guard Lexie Brown weighed in and said that the video was "disgusting and unacceptable." On the other hand, Brown admitted that her room was "super nice."
"I thought that the league would identify a return-to-play site that would accommodate professional athletes," WNBPA executive director Terri Jackson told ESPN. "And I'm still hoping that will prove to be true."
Jackson confirmed that some players have asked to switch rooms and that the league has honored those requests.
