The WNBA announced Friday that the start of its training camp and regular season will be postponed in light of ongoing concerns with the coronavirus pandemic.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert put out this official statement on the matter:

“As developments continue to emerge around the COVID-19 pandemic, including the extension of the social distancing guidelines in the United States through April 30, the WNBA will postpone the start of its training camp and tip of the regular season originally scheduled for for May 15.”


As part of their report, the WNBA noted that its 2020 virtual draft is still set to take place on April 17. Prospects will take part remotely, with ESPN having live broadcast coverage.

The WNBA is one of many leagues around the globe taking steps to minimize the spread of COVID-19. In mid-March, the NBA announced that its regular season would be suspended due to the virus. Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert became the first confirmed case in the league. His teammate, Donovan Mitchell, was diagnosed shortly after. Since then, several other players and staffers around the league have tested positive.

At this point, it’s not clear when play might resume in either the WNBA or NBA. Some top officials, including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, have speculated that games could be played later this year. Ultimately, though, Cuban knows that doctors and health officials will have the final say.