NBA athletes, teams pledge donations to coronavirus impacted workers

Shortly after the NBA announced on Wednesday that its season was being put on hold because of the coronavirus, Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner, said he would work on getting arena employees paid while they wait for the games to return and they go back to work.

The Mavericks issued a statement saying the organization is making arrangements with American Airlines Arena and other corporate partners "to ensure that scheduled event staff will receive payment for the six home games that were to take place during the 30-day NBA hiatus." The impacted staff will include security, police, parking attendants, housekeeping, in-arena entertainers and guest services staff, according to the release.

Reigning NBA MVP Antetokounmpo announced he would give $100,000 to workers at the Milwaukee Bucks Fiserv Forum.

Zion Williamson has promised to cover the salaries of all employees at the Smoothie King Center for the next month.

The Golden State Warriors announced that their owners and players are donating $1 million to a disaster-relief fund that will aid the more than 1,000 part-time Chase Center workers.

Friday's moves come a day after Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love committed $100,000 to the team's arena workers and support staff. Love is expected to get some help from the team.

The Cleveland Cavaliers joined Kevin Love and pledged to compensate all Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse hourly and event staff employees "as if every game and every event is still taking place."

The Pistons' Blake Griffin said he is donating $100,000 to help pay the salaries of workers at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

The Phoenix Suns and Talking Stick Resort Arena announced on Friday plans to "ensure that all part-time staff and hourly workers, including employees that work in guest service relations, concessions, ticketing, security, parking and events services will receive financial compensation for the six remaining scheduled Suns home games and concerts and shows that have been canceled in March.

Alibaba co-founder and Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai wrote on Twitter that he was also working on a plan regarding non-salaried employees.