INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Fever will head to Florida for training and all of their 2020 regular-season and playoff games.
Much like the NBA, which is working out details to resume the season and play all league games at Disney World in Florida, the WNBA has worked out a deal with IMG Academy in Bradenton.
The facility will serve as training and game site for all WNBA teams. A 22-game schedule, without fans, will be played, with teams reporting to the academy in July.
“This is a tremendous step in the right direction toward a competitive and entertaining WNBA season for our fans to come together across the state to support the Indiana Fever,” Fever President Dr. Allison Barber said. “We are excited to bring the Indiana Fever franchise to fans to watch in their homes in all 92 counties in the state as we build our championship culture for fans to engage with this season.”
The games will be live-streamed at no cost to fans.
Had the pandemic not put a halt to all professional sports in March, the Fever would have played this year's games at Hinkle Fieldhouse on the Butler campus, during upgrades to Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
“We are so energized and excited to begin playing a WNBA season,” Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Tamika Catchings said. “Our staff and players have been in constant communication during this challenging time and we’re ready to compete."
"From COVID-19 to the current state of our nation, it has been amazing to watch our players’ voices be heard in a respectful and positive manner. We are excited to showcase our team on the court and our organization will continue to support the powerful platform we have to fight for social justice off the court.”
More specifics about the schedule will be announced soon.
