As American team sports seem to return, athletes begin to resist calls to play amid a global pandemic.
Yesterday, three basketball players decided to skip their bubble tournaments.
Davis Bertans, The Washington Wizards cited concerns about injuries and the impending period of free agency as the reason for their decision. Portland Trail Blazers forward Trevor Ariza will choose not to be in Orlando to be with his son.
WNBA star Jonquel Jones said he will not participate in the WNBA 22-game season with his team, the Connecticut Sun. “This was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made,” he said in a statement. “But the revival and unknown aspects of COVID-19 have created serious health problems that I don’t feel comfortable competing in.”
Both the NBA and WNBA plan to play in central Florida, where the COVID cases keep going up.
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Increasing numbers of cases have infected professional athletes who train in Florida and have forced teams like the Phiilies, Lightning and Blue Jays, to close its facilities.
More him Orlando pride Recently Announced The entire team will skip the NWSL tournament due to “positive evidence of COVID-19 between players and staff.”
The declaration of pride comes after several USWNT stars announced that they would not play in the summer tournament.
The NHL will host a summer tournament somewhere and sometime. But an anonymous hockey player said The athletic he does not expect the season to resume in light of some players who tested positive for COVID-19.
“In my opinion, we don’t play,” said the player.
In the NBA, players have until Wednesday to decide whether or not to participate in the “bubble”. But an accelerated COVID-19 rate in Orlando and the players’ desire to withdraw from the court in the name of social justice could nullify Disney’s plans for the NBA.
Many sports fans want to get sports back after months of replays of games, sports documentaries, and European football you’ve seen on occasion. But there are athletes who will not play for their entertainment or risk infecting themselves and others during a global pandemic.
No one knows how many athletes will end up choosing to leave their stations. But don’t be surprised when we hear more names in the coming weeks.
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