Kevin Love commits $100K to Cavs’ arena staff after coronavirus halt

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was first to identify the people who would be hardest hit by the NBA suspending play because of coronavirus concerns. Soon after learning of the NBA’s decision, Cuban wondered aloud about the arena workers who would be put out of work with no more games to play in the immediate future.

Security personnel, food stand staffers and event organizers would have no more work.

Then, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love became one of the first people to do something about it. He pledged $100,000 to support the team’s arena and support staffers who could be impacted financially due to the coronavirus.

 

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Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. And the fear and anxiety resulting from the recent outbreak of COVID-19 can be extremely overwhelming. Through the game of basketball, we’ve been able to address major issues and stand together as a progressive league that cares about the players, the fans, and the communities where we work. I’m concerned about the level of anxiety that everyone is feeling and that is why I’m committing $100,000 through the @KevinLoveFund in support of the @Cavs arena and support staff that had a sudden life shift due to the suspension of the NBA season. I hope that during this time of crisis, others will join me in supporting our communities. Pandemics are not just a medical phenomenon. They affect individuals and society on so many levels, with stigma and xenophobia being just two aspects of the impact of a pandemic outbreak. It’s important to know that those with a mental illness may be vulnerable to the effects of widespread panic and threat. Be kind to one another. Be understanding of their fears, regardless if you don’t feel the same. Be safe and make informed decisions during this time. And I encourage everyone to take care of themselves and to reach out to others in need — whether that means supporting your local charities that are canceling events, or checking in on your colleagues and family.

A post shared by Kevin Love (@kevinlove) on Mar 12, 2020 at 2:36pm PDT

The NBA is pushing back games for at least 30 days, commissioner Adam Silver told fans in a letter Thursday.

How the league manages the remaining regular season and playoffs from there remains to be decided.

Locally in Arizona, Diamondbacks managing general partner Ken Kendrick made a similar commitment to support part-time employees and those most vulnerable due to work stoppages. Kendrick told Burns & Gambo on Thursday that he too would make sure employees put out of work due to the MLB’s coronavirus postponements would be “taken care of.”

“Just like everybody else who is full time, they are part of our family and we owe them the support that they would need to make sure they’re not economically challenged by this,” Kendrick added.

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