WNBA Bubble: Players complain of bed bugs and worms in IMG academy

Tanishk Thilakan | 09/07/2020
WNBA Bubble

The WNBA bubble hasn’t gotten off to the perfect to the start at the IMG academy, with players complaining of bed bugs, mouse traps and worms.

The decision to restart the game under the current circumstances was always going to be a polarizing one. But, at least everyone expected that living conditions would be good enough for the players.

Now, while the NBA players have had some decent living conditions, some of the WNBA players are experiencing several issues in this regard.

WNBA Bubble problems on the rise

The WNBA decided on IMG Academy (an elite boarding school with a focus on sports) as their setting for the league restart. The players moved to Bradenton which serves as a bubble-like environment for the restart.

However, the players have had some miserable time with their living conditions in their lodges. The players had the option of staying alone in a hotel room or with roommates in a villa. However, the league has faced embarrassment with several stars airing their grievances on social platforms.

Kayla Johnson posted pictures of an unappetising meal, bug traps in between mattresses, rodent traps in a shoddy-looking laundry room and worms on the floor in the rooms.

Washington Mystics guard Leilani Mitchell has had several problems with her meals. Leilani, although a vegetarian has not had one meal which comprised of fruits. Leilani did have some groceries delivered to her on Wednesday though.

WNBA’s response to the complaints

The league has promised to look into the matter and said the following:

“We have been working closely with IMG and the Players Association to address issues players have expressed about one of the housing locations on campus,” the statement read. “IMG is accommodating all player requests regarding these issues, including moving players to other accommodations. Additionally, in an expedited manner IMG brought in a third party exterminator to inspect the areas where a few issues were raised and they found no bed bugs.”

However, the players living in the villas are loving their accommodations. The players living in the villas have an option to cook and the league has also allowed Uber Eats to deliver meals, if ordered by the players.

Food was always going to cause problems among the athletes especially when play resumes. To give credit where its due, the league is trying its level best to reduce the impact of coronavirus on the league. The players have undergone several rounds of tests before entering the bubble.

Read more: Clippers star Kawhi did not travel to Orlando with the team for NBA Bubble restart

Post Edited By: Utkarsh Bhatla
WNBA

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Tanishk Thilakan

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