Mystics’ Delle Donne says opt-out request denied – Latest Breaking News Updates

A panel of physicians has denied reigning WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne’s request to resolve out of the 2020 season attributable to medical issues, a alternative she acknowledged is at odds with the advice she obtained from her personal physician, the Washington Mystics star and her agent knowledgeable ESPN on Monday.

“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 acknowledged in an announcement launched to ESPN Monday.

“I love my team, and we had an unbelievable season last year, and I want to play! But the question is whether or not the WNBA bubble is safe for me. My personal physician who has treated me for Lyme disease for years advised me that I’m at high risk for contracting and having complications from COVID-19,” Delle Donne added in her assertion.

“I’m thinking things over, talking to my doctor and my wife, and look forward to sharing what I ultimately plan to do very soon.”

“When I talked to Elena, her initial reaction was disbelief,” Delle Donne’s agent, Erin Kane, acknowledged about her shopper’s response to the ruling by league docs.

The panel of docs was convened by every the league and the WNBA Players Association.

“I know doctors don’t always agree with each other and that there are different opinions on certain things within the medical community, and now I have a player who is in an incredibly difficult situation because of the way things lined up,” Kane acknowledged.

Lyme sickness is simply not included on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines of underlying conditions that might put any individual at an elevated hazard for excessive illness from COVID-19.

The panel of docs considers the CDC’s suggestions when evaluating high-risk situations, consistent with a draft of the league’s nicely being and safety protocol obtained by ESPN.

A league spokesperson declined to comment Monday evening, citing issues about privateness on a participant’s private medical factors.

Delle Donne, 30, has however to journey collectively together with her Mystics teammates to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, the place WNBA players, coaches and help personnel reside beneath a set of strict medical and housing protocols.

The six-time All-Star has had continuous Lyme sickness since 2008 and spoken publicly for years regarding the need for a treatment. She’s moreover recovering from once more surgical process in January to revive three herniated disks, Kane acknowledged.

“It’s still possible she’ll opt out,” Kane acknowledged. “Like a lot of people, she’s making a choice between what’s best for her from a health standpoint and what’s best for her from a financial standpoint for her and her family.”

A panel of three physicians was established to advise the WNBA on whether or not or not a participant could also be medically excused for the season, which is scheduled to start on the end of the month. Players deemed to be extreme hazard or who’ve a medical motive to resolve out will acquire their full wage. Players who don’t meet that medical threshold, inside the opinion of the panel, can nonetheless resolve out and skip the season if the panel doesn’t grant them a medical waiver, nonetheless they won’t receives a fee their wage in that event.

While Lyme sickness isn’t talked about by the CDC as one factor that will place an individual at “high risk,” Kane knowledgeable ESPN that the Mystics’ group physician, Dr. Anne Rettig, despatched a letter to the medical panel advising them that Delle Donne was cleared to play nonetheless well-known that she should be thought-about “higher risk.”

Decisions by the medical panel are closing, and players don’t have any capability to enchantment, Kane acknowledged.

In an announcement to ESPN Monday, Mystics regular supervisor and head coach Mike Thibault acknowledged: “As with all of our players, we have and will support Elena throughout this process. The health and well-being of our players is of the utmost importance.”

Delle Donne’s teammate Tina Charles, who was acquired from the New York Liberty in a commerce all through the offseason, was moreover prepared for a alternative from the league’s medical panel. If Delle Donne and Charles miss the season, the Mystics might be proper right down to 10 players on the roster.

“My heart has gone out to everyone who has had to choose between their health and having an income, and of course to anyone who has lost their job, their home, and anyone they love in this pandemic,” Delle Donne acknowledged.