How NBA teams and players are supporting part-time employees affected by COVID-19
By Dillon George ‘22
While NBA fans, players, coaches, and commentators are all reeling from the recent suspension of the league, the stadium workers have immediately lost something even more important: their source of income. While coaches, players, and even broadcasters make a wage high enough to easily pass through these times, most of the stadium workers make money based on tips.
The average NBA coach salary is $3.5 million, the average player salary is $7.7 million, and even the high-end broadcasters on national television make seven figures, while the average salary for announcers in 2010 was at $80,000. Moda Center employees, however, make low salaries and rely heavily on tips. With no games going on, there is simply no way for them to earn money without getting a different job.
What are players doing?
However, some of these NBA players are used to stepping up in crucial moments. Athletes have set up disaster relief funds and charities for natural disasters. Teams almost always hand out meals during Thanksgiving and take part in community service events throughout their city.
All-Stars Kevin Durant (pictured to the left) and Lebron James both help with at-risk kids. Durant has his own foundation to improve the lives of these kids and has given millions to charities supporting this cause. James has even gone back to his hometown of Akron, Ohio and built a school for low-income kids and at risk kids.
On the topic of COVID-19, players, coaches, owners, and whole organizations have started to recognize this issue and provide care and support for the stadium workers.
The trend started off the same day as the league closed before the final buzzer even sounded. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban pledged to help the employees of the Mavericks’ American Airlines Center. In a video by Bleacher Report, while talking to reporters after the game, Cuban said, "I reached out to the folks at the arena and our folks at the Mavs to find out what it would cost to support, financially support, people who aren't going to be able to come to work… I don't have any details to give, but it's certainly something that's important to me."
Many more athletes have pledged to donate to stadium employees. According to CBS sports at the time of this article, 20 of the league's 30 teams have plans in place or donations to help support these part-time employees.
The disaster relief has started from the player who some say started this whole NBA shutdown: Jazz center Rudy Gobert, the first player who tested positive for the illness. Gobert donated $200,000 to workers at the Jazz arena. Jazz stadium Vivint Smart Home Arena has over 800 employees on game day, so Gobert’s donation provides roughly $250 to each employee. The specific details of his donations are not laid out, and this number may seem low given the salary of Gobert ($28 million per year). However, the Salt Lake Tribune released an article exposing how the Jazz organization wasn’t using this money, and that the part-time employees would only get paid for “actual hours worked.”
The No. 1 pick of this year’s draft, rookie Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans, gave a very generous pledge to cover all of the salaries for the workers for the next 30 days. In an Instagram post, he cited his appreciation for the stadium workers, saying, "This is a small way for me to express my support and appreciation for these wonderful people who have been so great to me and my teammates."
Former league champ Kevin Love, reigning MVP Giannis Antetokoumpo (pictured), and All-Stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Blake Griffin have all pledged $100,000 to their stadium’s workers. A worker at Antetokoumpo’s arena expressed her gratitude in an interview with ABC: “What Giannis and all the players have done really means a lot. They didn't have to do it and it's going to help me and my family."
Some teams’ organizations have also publicly stated that all salaries will be paid during this time, such as the Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers
Although these athletes and teams have pledged donations, the NBA itself still has not made a statement regarding the salary of these workers. Locally, the Portland Trailblazers posted on social media that they as well as owner Jody Allen are contributing $1.4 million towards the part-time employees. The Timbers, whose season is also postponed, have not released any information on how they plan to support their employees.