Kevin Love, others pledge to help displaced NBA workers during coronavirus suspension
The NBA’s decision to suspend the season indefinitely amid the COVID-19 outbreak will leave countless employees out of work across the league.
And with no specific timetable in place for when league plans to start up again, those displaced workers have no idea when they can expect to see a paycheck again — something that will certainly leave families in a tough position.
Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love and several teams across the league, however, are ready to help.
Kevin Love donates $100,000 to Cavs support staff
Love announced on Instagram on Thursday that he was going to donate $100,000 through his foundation to help the team’s support staff and arena staff while they are out of work.
That decision, he said, will hopefully help bring a bit of calm to the unprecedented time in the NBA.
“Pandemics are not just a medical phenomenon,” Love wrote on Instagram, in part. “They affect individuals and society on so many levels, with stigma and xenophobia being just two aspects of the impact of a pandemic outbreak. It’s important to know that those with a mental illness may be vulnerable to the effects of widespread panic and threat. Be kind to one another. Be understanding of their fears, regardless if you don’t feel the same. Be safe and make informed decisions during this time. And I encourage everyone to take care of themselves and reach out to others in need — whether that means supporting your local charities that are canceling events or checking in on your colleagues and family.”
Several others in the league have pledged to help, too.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban addressed the issue on Wednesday night, almost instantly pledging to create a program for hourly workers at the American Airlines Center.
“I reached out ... to find out what it would cost to financially support people who aren’t going to be able to come to work.”
–Mark Cuban on his plan for Mavericks employees during the NBA suspension pic.twitter.com/McOl1vHUqO— ESPN (@espn) March 12, 2020
Hawks owner Tony Ressler agreed to join Cuban in his efforts on Thursday morning, too, and will create a program for the workers at State Farm Arena. The 76ers made a similar pledge in a statement on Thursday, too.
Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller wrote on Twitter that he was prepared to make sure the support staff was taken care of, even if he has to “pay out of pocket” himself.
Absolutely! We all have fun playing and watching NBA games, but many of our hard working hourly employees and support staff depend on wages from our home games. We’re going to make sure that they’re taken care of! Even if I have to pay out of pocket to help out https://t.co/WMb3tEq5Gt
— Cody Zeller (@CodyZeller) March 12, 2020
Though the disruption may be annoying for them, the players and management in the league will be fine during the break. Thanks to Love, Zeller and others, it sounds like the most impacted will be fine after all.
Hopefully others around the league follow their example shortly, too.
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