The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and LA Kings of the NHL are partnering up to pay arena workers while the NBA is suspended.
Per Kyle Goon and Mirjam Swanson of the Orange County Register, the Lakers, Clippers, Kings and Anschutz Entertainment Group are finalizing the details of their plan that will compensate the hundreds of part-time and contract workers at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
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.
Two people with knowledge of the pending arrangement confirmed to Southern California News Group that an announcement was forthcoming. The Lakers, Clippers and Kings are tenants of the building, which is owned by AEG.
The Lakers and Clippers have also told game-night 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.
The NBA suspended its 2019-20 season on Wednesday after Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert became the first NBA player to test positive for the coronavirus.
Then on Thursday, Jazz star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell tested positive as well. The Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets were supposed to play at an empty Chase Center on Thursday, but once the Gobert news came down, the NBA immediately suspended play.
This act by the Lakers, Clippers and Kings is just the latest example of NBA and NHL owners and players showing off their big hearts.
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