With Arenas Shuttered, Teams Ponder How Wide Their Checkbooks Can Open

Given the uncertainty surrounding the duration, extent and nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, pro teams all over North America have all faced decisions about how to compensate their employees with play suspended in the N.B.A, N.H.L., M.L.B. and other leagues.

In some cases, plans have been made and un-made promptly, like the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils announcing mandatory 20 percent salary rollbacks for some part-time employees and voluntary ones for full-time workers, only to nix the arrangement in short order. In others, players have stepped up, like the rookie forward Zion Williamson’s pledge to pay New Orleans Pelicans arena workers for a month. That commitment that was magnified when owner Gayle Benson put together a $1 million fund to assist workers and others outside the organization in one of the hardest-hit communities by the virus. Others were less fortunate. Pegulas Sports Entertainment, which owns the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, laid off the vast majority of its food service and hospitality staff.

In what appears to be the strongest move in support of its laborers, the Anaheim Ducks announced that they would pay all 2,100 of their part-time staff members in full through June 30. That includes an array of workers for the Ducks, their home arena Honda Center, their American Hockey League affiliate in San Diego and their various facilities around Orange County for both ice and inline skating. Henry and Susan Samueli, who own the Ducks, declared their support for their employees Thursday, extending their original pledge to compensate workers through March. Full-time employees will also be paid without interruption or reduction.

“The Samueli family’s primary concern is the welfare of their employees. Today is another example of their kindness, generosity and support for the local community,” Tim Ryan, the C.E.O. of Anaheim Arena Management, said in a statement. “As a result of their decision, 2,100 dedicated part-time staff members will have one less immediate concern during this significant health crisis.”

Ducks defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson both lauded the move on Twitter
TWTR
as well.

“Since I became a part of this organization it was evident the Samueli’s have always put an emphasis on supporting the local community. This is just another example of their generosity,” Manson said.

Samueli was a University of California Los Angeles professor who became one of the founders of the semiconductor producer Broadcom, which made him a billionaire. He purchased the Ducks from the Walt Disney Company in 2005, and they won their first Stanley Cup in 2007.

Some franchises have made similar pledges, but not for the same length of time. Even if the N.H.L. season had proceeded as planned, the Ducks’ schedule would have concluded in early April and the Stanley Cup would have been hoisted well before the end of June. This may be the most prominent recognition to date of the potential for the shutdown to linger, and the fairest response to that possibility.

Over time, the shutdown has moved from potential to temporary to now seemingly indefinite. Markets have fallen precipitously and some industries have entered precarious states. In sport, the N.C.A.A. basketball tournaments, Canadian Hockey League major junior tournaments (including the Memorial Cup) and other amateur events have been cancelled completely. As time passes, it seems increasingly likely that the N.B.A. finals and Stanley Cup finals will share the same fate.

As unemployment filings have soared and stimulus packages have been considered in both public and private sectors, the part-time labor force and the self-employed have often been left in limbo. Many workers at sporting venues across the country fall into one of those categories, from those changing into arena uniforms in the bowels of the stadiums to many of those in suits perched high in the press box covering games.

Some franchises have been overt in a view opposite that of the Samuelis. In Winnipeg, the Chairman of True North Sports and Entertainment, Mark Chipman, drew criticism for his statement during a March 12 news conference.

“Those people are on part-time agreements. They work when we work. So, regrettably, to the extent that we’re not putting on shoes and games, those people would not have a call to work,” Chipman said.

No league has put forth a uniform or mandated policy, with wide variance in terms of both the level and source of support for workers. In New York, the Yankees have pledged $1.4 million to their part-time staff, but the process of receiving funds appears fraught by complexity and requirements. The Boston Bruins have faced similar critiques for their plan, despite amassing a comparably sized fund to that of the Yankees.

In Southern California, employees of the Dodgers and Angels were still in limbo on the day they would have otherwise received their first paychecks of the season.

The Samuelis removed that uncertainty for their employees, though it remains to be seen how many other owners will follow suit as the near future of pro sports becomes increasingly nebulous.