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sports
Dribbling the impacts of Covid-19
After the NBA’s abrupt shutdown in mid-March, thousands of workers face the direct impacts of the coronavirus COMMENTARY BY HANNA EBRAHIMI, FEATURES EDITOR
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H I L E ensuring the safety of athletes and fans is the primary concern of the National Basketball (NBA) Association amid the coronavirus pandemic, the league’s abrupt decision to suspend the season on March 11 has precipitated an economic crisis for millions who are reliant on their revenue. With a subsequent halt to ticket, merchandise and concession sales, arena workers are plagued by far more than a virus; the need for revenue is crucial. “Acting on the advice of the CDC, other federal, state and local authorities without delay was critical and it came at a great price,” Miami Heat television host and courtside reporter Jason Jackson said. families have sadly had to endure, but at the price of 15-18 regular season games.” According to the Los Angeles Times, the average full-time arena employee works about 164 hours a season. While most NBA teams — including the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks and Brooklyn
Nets — have pledged to provide some type
the league’s hiatus would consequently
the men and women who work security, culinary or janitorial positions are nonetheless
industries, in addition to their arena workers. “The legacy of the NBA is on the line, playoffs are coming up and this is when viewership is at an alltime high,” Miami Heat small forward Solomon Hill said. “The goal is to deliver in the safest way possible moving forward with the season, but not at the risk of endangering the lives of others.” Facing up to $1 billion in losses, there is only one solution to the NBA’s current economic catastrophe: the playoffs need to be held. Whether the games are played without fans in attendance, or during the otherwise off-season and pre-season months, revenue needs to be made to compensate for the months of intermission. It is the only way teams could continue to support their arena employees for an extended period of time, should the quarantine period continue. The return of the NBA playoffs will instill a sense of hope and normalcy in the country in a time when the routines and traditions that dictate normal life are nowhere to be found. It is a necessary leap towards economic recovery for not only the league, but everyone involved. h
within their unions. This is a particularly unimaginable feat given the magnitude of the COVID-19 public health crisis. With treatment plans for the virus amounting to as much as $20,000 for each infected person, the realities of facing unemployment are cruel. “The NBA should give the money that was supposed to be used to advertise or sponsor events [to] pay employees at the varsity guard,
junior Patrick Flipse said.
postponement of games further hold a strain on television networks like ESPN, TNT and ABC who annually host NBA playoff games. According to Forbes, these companies have combined to pay an estimated $2.6 billion would cause the NBA to cease their contractual commitments to broadcasters and eventually limit their ability to fund their teams. This is a major problem because
by the numbers
259
GAMES REMAINING IN THE 2019/20 NBA REGULAR SEASON
COMBINED LEAGUE GATE REVENUES LOST AS A RESULT OF THESE CANCELLATIONS
$350-450 MILLION
Courtesy of Statistica
