WNBA Commissioner confident season will be successful

 WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert believes measures that league has taken to ensure players are safe as y work toward ir season have been effective.

Engelbert said on a conference call Wednesday that re were two positive tests for coronavirus when players and staff first arrived on July 6 at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. re have been ne since.

“Kck on wood every day, but things are stable here,” Engelbert said. “So far, plan and protocols are working. Wearing masks, washing hands, daily temperature checks."

Engelbert, who just finished her first year as league's commissioner, said that she is confident WNBA will have a successful season and make it through playoffs in October.

“Again, I’m t superstitious, but more I talk about how well things are going, I do get a little nervous. But I’m very confident right w." she said.

Engelbert also discussed some of logistics of game day operations, saying that like teams, league's referees will be staying at IMG Academy, too. game day staff though won't be inside bubble and will be behind a Plexiglass barrier on opposite side of court from benches at Feld Entertainment Center ,where games will be played.

season will tip off on Saturday and teams will play 22 games, with regular season ending Sept. 12.

Engelbert once again stated on call how WNBA is dedicating its season to social justice causes, including Black Lives Matter. Players will wear special uniforms during opening weekend that have Breonna Taylor's name on back of m. Some players, including Breanna Stewart, have told Associated Press that y will wear Taylor's name on ir jersey all season.

“I think to me it’s a -brainer,” Stewart said. “We want to continue to use our platform to amplify things we’re fighting for and continue to put an emphasis on Breonna Taylor. Focus on fact that her killers haven’t been arrested."

Taylor, a 26-year-old Black emergency medical technician, was shot eight times by plainclos Louisville police officers serving a narcotics search warrant at her apartment on March 13. drugs were found. Her family and protesters around country have called for swift action against officers who shot Taylor.

“We’re so proud of our players speaking out on se issues,” Engelbert said. “re’s thing political about that. It’s a statement of ir values. y’re bringing awareness to issues that have long been igred, particularly as y advocate for female victims of racial injustice and police brutality. That’s an important voice to be heard.”

(Im credit: AP)