HARLOW: well, with the WNBA season set to begin in over a week, one of the league's stars is weighing whether or not it's safe for her, whether it's worth the risk to play. Washington Mystics forward and reigning league MVP Elena Delle Donne suffers from Lyme Disease. Still, she says she was denied a medical exemption from playing in the 2020 WNBA season by a league-appointed panel of doctors.</s>ELENA DELLE DONNE, FORWARD, WASHINGTON MYSTICS: I'm in a situation health-wise where I don't know how my body will handle COVID. I don't know if I'll need to be hospitalized in the State of Florida. I want to play basketball. I want to make a living. I have to take care of my family. So that's kind of what's going through my head at the moment.</s>HARLOW: Yesterday, the coach and the general manager for the Mystics said Delle Donne will be paid whether she plays are or not. This as the league has dedicated this season to social justice and affirmed the Black Lives Matter movement. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert joins us exclusively this morning. It's really good to have you, Cathy. Thanks for taking the time.</s>CATHY ENGELBERT, WNBA COMMISIONER: Great to be here, Poppy. Thanks for having me on.</s>HARLOW: I want to play something else that Delle Donne told my colleague, Coy Wire. Listen to this.</s>DONNE: To have a disease and then to feel like you're not heard or you're not believed, that's the part that gets really frustrating and tiring.</s>HARLOW: Can you set the record straight? END
WNBA Star Say She Was Denied Medical Opt-Out, Team Says She'll Be Paid Whether Or Not She Plays.