The Blazers are putting together a plan of their own to help support their part-time employees, but details are still being worked out. Part-time employees received an email last week informing them that a plan was in the works, but they have yet to be given a timeline for when that plan will be rolled out. The part-time employees expect to be paid as usual on Wednesday for the previous pay period, but questions remain as to how the employees will be paid in their next paychecks on April 1.
More on Season Suspension
Dave McMenamin: On the Lakers’ team conference call today to discuss protocol during the coronavirus spread, players were instructed to only work out at either the practice facility or their home gym, for safety reasons, sources told ESPN. And players are expected to check in with the team daily
The NBA was on pause. By the end of the week, every upcoming event at the Moda Center would be canceled or postponed. Inside the break room on Wednesday night, employees staffing the concert were on edge as they wondered how long the shutdown would last and when they would see their next paychecks. “I felt empty inside,” said Jamie Faue, who works as a guest services attendant at the Moda Center and Providence Park. “I felt like my whole life had been taken away from me.”
Some employees that work part-time at the Moda Center and Providence Park hold separate full-time jobs, which should enable them to navigate the coming weeks more easily. Still, one employee in ticketing said that he would still lose 25-35 percent of his monthly income during the shutdown, unless the Blazers’ plan makes up for his losses.
Frank Ntilikina’s home base is France, which is on a lockdown, making it more complicated. The U.S. is not accepting flights back from France. International players “can’t currently leave the country,” according to an NBA source. “It’s crazy how things can change from one minute to the next.” Ntilikina wrote on Instagram. “Over the last few days, we have learned that we are all equal. When it comes to global health. I just want to first and foremost to wish to all the people infected by the virus a speedy recovery.
Ntilikina admitted he was “really scared’’ at first but felt the U.S. was starting to become “more prepared.” “We can avoid being sick if we are safe, really good hygiene, take care of ourselves, wash our hands, avoid handshakes,” Ntilikina said last Tuesday at Georgetown. “I think with us and people that are in the league it’s much more elbow to elbow shakes, stuff like that, just being more cautious.”
Marc Stein: G League arenas and practice facilities obviously only become options if NBA games are closed off to fans ... which is the growing fear in the wake of the latest CDC recommendations we discussed last night discouraging crowds of 50+ people through at least mid-May
Adam Johnson: In an evening memo to top G League officials, the NBA has still not committed to canceling the @nbagleague season according to multiple sources. As states effectively shut down business for an extended period of time, the NBA is still telling teams to hold pat.
Adam Johnson: In an evening memo to top G League officials, the NBA has still not committed to canceling the @nbagleague season according to multiple sources. As states effectively shut down business for an extended period of time, the NBA is still telling teams to hold pat.
The Dallas Mavericks have been a part of the North Texas community for 40 years and are committed to supporting local vendors, businesses and non-profits. In light of the current situation, the organization announced today that it will provide full reimbursement to employees for breakfast or lunch purchases made from independent local establishments in the region.
The reimbursement plan will be offered to employees of both the Dallas Mavericks and Mark Cuban Companies. It will include purchases made from all small, local and independent establishments. While employees are strongly encouraged to take part in the program, they are asked to not go out should they be feeling any symptoms of illness. Takeout or delivery will gladly be reimbursed as well.
Andy Larsen: Quote from Jazz spokesman: "We are very much aware of the difficulties faced by our hourly employees due to the postponement of events. In addition to Rudy Gobert’s generous contribution, we are committed to an employee assistance effort which will be shared with them."
Using figures from the most recent Forbes report, Navigate Research estimated the Timberwolves could lose $7.2 million in gate revenue if they couldn’t finish the regular season, and the Wild $8.5 million or more because of a potential playoff run. The Twins could lose $2.4 million, Navigate estimated, if the games during the two-week delay to the start of the season are not made up.
Shams Charania: The NBPA has not had discussions on potential adjustments and stated they do not expect to until further scheduling decisions are made, per memo. Many factors still in play.
Ohm Youngmisuk: A coalition of LA pro sports teams -- Lakers, Clippers, Kings -- and Staples Center have joined together to provide financial support to pay 2,800 hourly event employees while the NBA and NHL remaining regular season games are halted at Staples Center.
With the aim of helping Barclays Center staff get through this difficult time, we commit to provide relief to hourly employees for the paychecks they would have earned if Brooklyn Nets regular season games and non-Nets events at Barclays Center were to continue as originally scheduled. The plan will cover the period from now until the end of May unless the events are rescheduled before that. We will work closely and expeditiously with our partners, including service contractors, event promoters and unions to implement this plan.
The United Center ownership and the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks, on behalf of our front offices and players, will pay day-of-game employees through the remainder of the originally scheduled season. Our employees, whether they be front office staff, or our approximately 1,200 day-of-game staff, are family, and we will navigate this unprecedented situation together.
Prior to going on his weekly radio spot on KNBR on Wednesday evening, Kerr had a discussion with Golden State general manager Bob Myers, in which the possibilities of the situation were laid out. "I had also just spoken to Bob Myers about a half-hour prior and he told me we were heading toward fanless games across the league, like ours was going to be, or a complete suspension," Kerr explained to The Athletic's Anthony Slater. "With the suspension, he said worst case -- if a player gets infected -- that’s when we’re for sure going into a suspension."
At the tail end of the radio interview, KNBR's Rod Brooks broke the news to Kerr. Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert had tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). "So when I’m on the radio and Rod Brooks tells me what’s happening with Gobert, almost immediately it’s like, OK, this is it," Kerr continued. "And I think within minutes Adam Silver sent out the notice that the season was suspended."
"I think the way this whole thing has unfolded, it’s always human nature to be in denial of something that we can’t really understand," Kerr said. "As this stuff was unfolding over the last couple of weeks, it’s hard to fathom that the sports world can come to a complete stop. So your mind as a vulnerable human being is trying to rationalize everything -- like we could do this, we could do that, we could take this measure, this is how we could still play. And then all of a sudden when the reality hits home it’s: 'Oh my God. This is real.'"
Kellan Olson: Suns officially announce that they will provide financial compensation to the part-time and hourly arena workers for the 6 remaining home games on the schedule and the other TSRA events that were canceled.
Geoff Calkins: Robert Pera and the Memphis Grizzlies will be compensating all Grizzlies game night employees for any games missed through the end of the year, according to a source.
The Phoenix Suns will pay employees for canceled events and missed games during the NBA’s suspension in game play due to the coronavirus pandemic, Suns owner Robert Sarver told Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro. The impact of the season’s suspension trickles down to team employees who were at risk of lost wages for the events that have been rescheduled or canceled.
Mike Vorkunov: MSG Co. workers are continuing to get paid in the short-term, a person familiar with MSG's plans said, and the company is working on what their long-term plan will be.
Sources say the Trail Blazers may be close to announcing a plan to help those people get through what the league is calling a “suspension” of play for at least 30 days. The plan has apparently been in the works since the suspension was announced and is complicated to put together, given the varied schedules of many of those employees.
The Thunder were supposed to play tonight, but Chesapeake Energy Arena sits dark. Local businesses are feeling the pinch and wonder how long it will last. “I think it just happened a lot faster for sure than I expected,” said Justin Falk, owner of Shop Good. “In here and all over downtown, it's pretty much a ghost town today. Definitely impacting things.”
The Lakers, Clippers, Kings and AEG are finalizing details of a plan that would compensate the hundreds of part-time and contract workers who staff Staples Center’s biggest events. It’s a measure that could help allay concerns that the most vulnerable workers will keep a steady income during NBA, NHL and event shutdowns due to the coronavirus outbreak.
It’s likely to cover event staff, such as ushers and security personnel who are well known at the arena for their red blazers. The Lakers and Clippers have also told gamenight employees that they will continue to compensate them through the NBA hiatus. This includes employees such as team statisticians, announcers and dance teams. Both franchises have asked employees to work from home if possible.
Zion Williamson announced on instagram that he'll cover the salaries of all Smoothie King Center workers for the next 30 days while the NBA season is suspended and all large public gatherings have been banned by the Governor.
"The people of New Orleans have been incredibly welcoming and supportive since I was Drafted by the Pels last June, and some of the most special people I have met are those who work at smoothie King Center," Williamson wrote. "These are the folks who make our games possible, creating the perfect environment for our fans and everyone involved in the organization. Unfortunately, many of them are still recovering from long term challenges created by Katrina, and now face the economic impact of the postponement of games because of the virus."
The Dallas Mavericks issued the following statement today regarding the continued payment of hourly staff who work Mavericks’ game nights at American Airlines Center: "In light of the postponement of the NBA season, it is of utmost importance to Dallas Mavericks management and ownership that we do what we can to minimize the adverse financial impact that will be felt by staff who would otherwise be working our games at American Airlines Center. As such, the organization, along with American Airlines Center leadership, is currently making arrangements to ensure that scheduled event staff will receive payment for the six home games that were to take place during the 30-day NBA hiatus.”
Candace Buckner: Spoke with Ted Leonsis this afternoon about @MSE paying arena workers, roughly 500 people, who were scheduled to work the 16 remaining events this month. While MSE leadership met Wednesday to plot of different scenarios, the group voted unanimously to pay the part-timers
The NBA suspended the 2019-2020 season Wednesday due to the coronavirus outbreak. This announcement apparently won't stop the Phoenix Suns who will take their game to the digital basketball court. The Phoenix Suns will play against the Dallas Mavericks in NBA 2K20 on Friday, according to a tweet from the team Thursday. Not many other details were provided. The game will apparently be streamed on Twitch, although no specific channel was mentioned.
Brad Townsend: I'm told it's far too soon to know whether Brunson will be able to return for the end of the season/playoffs, if they happen -- mostly because no one knows when the restart time might happen. But today's surgery did not eliminate the possibility.
Alex Lasry: As usual, we follow our leader. Everyone at Fiserv Forum is part of our family, so the Bucks organization will match Giannis’ contribution as we all try to get thru this...and we will together!
Rod Beard: #Pistons All-Star Blake Griffin is planning to donate $100,000 to help the workers at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
What will the Warriors’ ownership do to help the ushers, vendors, janitors and other Chase Center support staffers survive the loss of income during the current NBA shutdown? That’s an army of about 1,500 people, paid by the hour when they work, and most are suddenly out of work. The NBA has shut down for at least 30 days, and concerts at Chase are a no-go for at least two weeks, by San Francisco decree. “We will definitely do something, soon (to assist the workers),” Warriors’ owner Joe Lacob said Thursday, via email. “We have an idea, but (we) have to make sure we can do it.”
One Chase Center worker, Sylvia Lewis, said she would be receptive to doing out-of-venue work for the Warriors in order to maintain some cash flow. “If there's a job that they want us to do from our home, if they want us to do mailers, or whatever needs to be done, I am definitely willing to do it, because I need to work,” said Lewis, a “team leader” who manages the staff at a food concession at Chase. “I cannot afford to lose my home.”
Rockets officials are working on a plan to address the income of hourly Toyota Center employees who will not be working while the NBA and other arena events are postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, Rockets CEO Tad Brown said Friday.
“We are putting those plans together right now,” Brown said. “As we always have in times of crises, we will take care of our part-time employees as well as all of our employees. We’re working internally to identify the best course going forward. But we are taking care of them.”
With the NBA suspending its season, Disney’s ESPN and AT&T's TNT will be missing some of their most lucrative, highest-rated programming. Analyst Michael Nathanson of MoffettNathanson Reserach has estimated that Disney will be losing about $481 million in ad revenue if the rest of the season and the playoffs are not played. For AT&T, the revenue effect is about $211 million.
Nathanson calculates that will translate into a drop in earnings of $306 million, 3% for Disney and $168 million in earnings before interest and taxes, or 2% for AT&T’s WarnerMedia unit.
In a recent interview with The Athletic's Marcus Thompson, the former Defensive Player of the Year intimated he doesn't expect to be back out on the court anytime soon, despite how badly he would like to be. "The only way I think they allow the season to start back up,” Green said, "is if they come out with some stuff to say, ‘It’s not as bad as we thought,' or if they find some kind of cure. Because otherwise, if they start the season back up and then somebody else catches it, then what? You can’t just quarantine a few guys for some days and then start it all back up. That s--t ain’t going to work."
Los Angeles Lakers forward and former Phoenix Sun Jared Dudley believes the NBA will still get the 2019-20 campaign completed based on what he’s been hearing. “What I do know, and this is through stuff we’ve had — it’s on the table that the owners want to finish the regular season and [playoffs],” he told Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo Thursday. “I got confirmation that they have no problem going late into the summer to finish it up.”
That, however, would have the games interfere with the schedule of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. But Dudley said he’s hearing that those are getting pushed back. “That’s the word I think the NBA is getting that they’re gonna postpone it till 2021,” he said.
Among the options discussed on the Wednesday conference call, according to two people familiar with the topics who were not authorized to discuss them publicly, was putting the season on a brief hiatus and playing into the summer to crown a 2019-20 champion. But there was more support, according to the people, for trying to play games in empty arenas without fans than putting the season on hold indefinitely.
Shams Charania: NBA has informed franchises that "each team is encouraged" to conduct educational meeting by Monday for players/staff with physicians to discuss coronavirus situation -- either in person (appropriate spacing) or remotely. Several teams had such meetings before suspended season.
Will you be based in Portland or your hometown of Canton, Ohio, while the NBA season is suspended? CJ McCollum: I’m not even sure what the travel situation is like. We’re on standby. I don’t know practice schedules. I have no idea what is going on. But I will be [in Portland] for a little while. My great uncle actually just passed away, so I probably will have to go home for the funeral. Are you hopeful that this NBA season will resume? CJ McCollum: I think it will, but health and safety is and should be our main priority going forward.
Bill Oram: Adam Silver on TNT: “Even if we’re out for a month, if we’re out for six weeks, we can still restart the season. It might mean the Finals take place in July or late. Just my feeling was it was way premature to suggest we had lost the season.”
Fred Katz: Adam Silver on if it’s possible that the NBA season doesn’t come back: "Of course it’s possible. I just don’t know more at this point."
Melissa Rohlin: Adam Silver said on TNT that after learning of Gobert's positive COVID-19 result that the league postponed the game and suspended the season. "This of course should not be a business decision," he said.
Mike Fisher: In compliance w #NBA #CoronavirusPandemic decision, the @Dallas Mavericks and all clubs will cease team activities through at least Monday, March 16.
Brad Turner: Sources: Lakers players came away from conference call with GM Rob Pelinka, Coach Frank Vogel that NBA owners want to finish regular and postseason, even if goes to late June, July or August.
Brad Turner: Lakers players had conference call with GM Rob Pelinka, Coach Frank Vogel to update on NBA rules during shutdown for coronavirus: no group workouts, only 1-on-1 workout with assistant coach or strength coach. Players can put time in they want to workout. Another call Monday.
Marc Stein: The NBA has notified its teams that all players are advised to stay in their home markets, remain home as much as possible and that teams are not allowed to hold group practices, meetings or workouts through at least March 16
Marc Stein: The NBA, league sources say, has also asked team doctors and athletic trainers to check in at least once a day with players on their health status and use a "one player, one coach, one basket" rule if multiple players are working out at the same time in team practice facilities
Shams Charania: The NBA has informed all 30 teams on policies effective immediately and through March 16, including: - All players must remain in market of team - Players remain home as long as possible - NO group workouts, practices - Team physicians/trainers speak to each player once a day
The NBA will go on a 30-day hiatus due to the coronavirus, league sources told Yahoo Sports following a call that included all NBA owners and commissioner Adam Silver.
The league likely won’t consider re-opening its doors to players, let alone fans, until a 14-day period following the last positive test, sources said. The 14-day period is the guideline for those quarantined from the time of diagnosis. The suggestion: No matter when it occurs in the league process, if a player tests positive, the league’s 14-day clock to return to business will reset.
Tim Bontemps: Really cool gesture by Kevin Love to donate $100k from the Kevin Love Fund to support the arena and Cavs support staff because of the suspension of the NBA due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Rod Beard: I'm told that all #Pistons employees, including hourly and part-time staff who support game-day activities at Little Caesars Arena, will be paid during period that NBA games are suspended. This may not apply to employees who work for other companies in LCA.
Adam Johnson: The NBA is continuing further discussions with @nbagleague teams before ultimately canceling the season according to a source. Some teams were against cancellation.
Chris Kirschner: Hawks owner Tony Ressler is joining Mark Cuban in making sure the arena’s hourly employees will continue to have income. Ressler: “We are indeed and feel strongly it’s both the right thing to do and good business.”
The Portland Trail Blazers are asking season ticket holders and other fans with tickets for “patience” as they “navigate ... uncharted waters" in the aftermath of the NBA’s decision to suspend the regular season because of concerns over coronavirus. In an email sent to season ticket holders late Wednesday night, the team said it was working with the NBA to grasp the scope of the suspension and how it would impact the rest of the season.
Vincent Goodwill: Source to @YahooSports: NBA Owner call just ended. 30 day shutdown then everything will be re-assessed. Some suggested every player will be tested for COVID-19 in the meantime
Adrian Wojnarowski: NBA owners are encouraging of commissioner Adam Silver to re-evaluate the league's suspension in 30 days, sources tell ESPN. League is expected to make a formal announcement on an initial timetable soon.
The coronavirus outbreak spurring the NBA to suspend the pro basketball season indefinitely could mean bad news on top of already bad news for sporting goods companies such as Nike. “COVID-19 is impacting Nike’s business inside and outside of China more than we initially anticipated,” Susquehanna analyst Sam Poser said in a note to clients Thursday morning. “On top of which, the cancellation of the NBA season until further notice, announced last night, does little to assuage near term nerves.”
Mirjam Swanson: Season suspended.
