Kyrie Irving starts $1.5m fund to cover salaries of WNBA players who will skip the season

As multiple WNBA players opt out of 2020 season, Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving has committed $1.5 million to players who will lose ir official pay. Per league's rules, players cleared by a panel of doctors to sit out season due to a high-risk factor will receive ir entire pay. However, players opting out due to any or reason will t be compensated by league. 

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Kyrie Irving donation: Irving pledges $1.5 million for WNBA salaries of players opting out of 2020 season

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WNBA opt out: Kyrie Irving to pledge $1.5 million for WNBA salaries being cut 

In his statement, Irving pledged to help any person who has decided to opt out to "fight for social justice, play basketball, focus on physical or mental health, or simply connect with ir families". Irving emphasised that this is an initiative aimed at supporting ir priorities and decisions. Per reports, payments will be distributed via KAI Empowerment Initiative, which was launched by Irving this Monday. If a player opts out, she must explain her reason behind doing so to receive funds. Medical opt-outs have to be related to virus, while re should be or institution helping m financially. 

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Kyrie Irving WNBA: How will Kyrie Irving donation help WNBA opt out?

WNBA season, delayed due to ongoing coronavirus crisis, finally kicked off last weekend. However, multiple players opted out of season over COVID-19 and social justice concerns. As per  Associated Press, 28-year-old Nets star spoke to Natasha Cloud, who is among WNBA players sitting out season. Irving reportedly also spoke to Jewell Lloyd, who connected him to or WNBA players so y could discuss problems about deciding wher to play or t. 

Earlier this month, reigning MVP Elena Delle Donne's request to opt out was denied by league.  Washington Mystics star has chronic Lyme Disease, which puts her at high risk to develop complications if she is diagsed with COVID-19. However, disease is t under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) list of conditions that heighten someone's COVID-19 risk. Players like Cloud will be sitting out for social justice reasons. league has also dedicated  remaining season to social justice and fighting racism, as all players chose to wear Breonna Taylor's name on back of ir jerseys for opening weekend. Irving's donation could help players financially over year, as aver WNBA salary is around $200,000. 

Irving is among NBA players who have been advocating social reform since before teams started moving to Orlando bubble. Irving believes it is more important for players to use ir platform for activism. Nets guard is t with his team at bubble as he is currently recovering from shoulder surgery. 

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(Im source: AP, WNBA official site)