Many NBA teams are stepping up to help in this coronavirus pandemic. This includes Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks, who was the first person to pay his employees. Since then, many NBA organizations have stepped up and some have even gone beyond the call of duty. This article will look at just a few examples of how NBA organizations are helping in this COVID-19 pandemic.
The Positive Role of NBA Teams in the Coronavirus Pandemic
NBA Teams Helping Out Employees
The Dallas Mavericks was the first organization to publicly state they would help their own employees during the NBA suspension.
“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
Since then, other NBA teams have also done the same. This included the Milwaukee Bucks donating $100,000 to part-time arena workers at the Fiserv Forum.
Following the donation of $100,000 by @Giannis_An34 to the impacted Fiserv Forum staff, the Bucks organization is proud to match all Bucks player donations to part-time arena workers. pic.twitter.com/BV02TGua0z
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 13, 2020
Other organizations have also stepped up. This includes the Brooklyn Nets who are also paying their employees at the Barclays Center.
Hear hear @SDinwiddie_25 we’re working on a plan! https://t.co/bi01FXqS7V
— Joe Tsai (@joetsai1999) March 13, 2020
These are just a few examples of the many organizations in the NBA helping pay for their employees. Although it was expected of the NBA owners and organizations to do this, it was nice to see them act on it quickly.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
Furthermore, organizations that own many professional sports like Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) have also stepped up. MLSE owns the NBA’s Toronto Raptors in their own umbrella. Other notable pro sports teams owned by MLSE include Toronto FC, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Toronto Argonauts.
According to Toronto FC Communications of torontofc.ca, MLSE has partnered with Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays to form the Team Toronto Fund. Together they are creating a special assistance fund to further assist arena/stadium and support staff. Furthermore, MLSE made a statement on paying their employees according to Steven Loung of Sportsnet.
“Anyone who is affected by this temporary halt in our operations will receive financial payment from MLSE to bridge employees between their [Employment Insurance] benefits and 95 percent of their regular average earnings (the maximum allowed by Service Canada for them to be eligible for full EI benefit) for four weeks,” an emailed statement from MLSE reads.
Lastly, Michael Friisdahl, President and Chief Executive Officer of MLSE said that their executive team has taken a temporary salary reduction of 20-25 percent. According to The Associated Press from CBC, the reduction in pay to the leadership group would be close to 50 percent. This pay cut shows the MLSE organization and the numerous teams they run in the organization care about their employees’ well-being.
NBA Teams Helping Out Frontline Workers
There are a few organizations in the NBA that are helping out the frontline workers. In this article, one will look at the Milwaukee Bucks and the Toronto Raptors. They have both stepped up in big ways to help out frontline workers dealing with coronavirus.
The Milwaukee Bucks, for example, has recently announced a plan for 2.5 million non-surgical masks for frontline workers. These masks will be delivered from the Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Join us in #MaskUpMKE!!
Fiserv Forum to serve as distribution site for 2.5 Million non-surgical face masks.
Details: https://t.co/cD729Au7do
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 24, 2020
The Toronto Raptors have also stepped up. As part of MLSE, the Raptors have decided to make Scotiabank Arena the city’s biggest kitchen, providing for front-line workers. The Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts, also part of MLSE, tweeted this:
MLSE and a team of dedicated partners have transformed @Scotiabank Arena into Toronto’s largest kitchen, prepping up to 10,000 meals a day for front-line healthcare workers and community agencies.
Together, we will #BringTorontoBack to its feet.@Bell | @Rogers | @TangerineBank pic.twitter.com/pvh4MSGRP2
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) April 24, 2020
Overview of the NBA Team’s Contribution to the Pandemic
There are several NBA teams contributing to the coronavirus pandemic. Most of them are stepping up and paying their arena staff and employees. There are also teams like the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks who are stepping up to help frontline workers.
A big congrats should be given to Mark Cuban as he was the first NBA owner to look into paying his employees. He stepped up and was not hesitant to help his own employees out.
Lastly, this article would like to thank all the front-line workers. This includes pandemics, healthcare, grocery workers, care home workers, and others that are helping us in this pandemic. These people are putting their lives on the line so that we keep safe from the coronavirus.
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