Posted on by Matt Gilligan

NBA Stars and Owners Pledge Financial Support for the Workers at Arenas

The coronavirus pandemic has changed all our lives for now. Unfortunately, the damage extends far beyond those who might contract the virus. Many hourly workers across multiple industries have been financially affected by the ongoing pandemic.

The sports world has been dramatically impacted, with multiple athletes and coaches across the world testing positive for COVID-19. And with all the American professional leagues on pause, the effects have been most felt by the thousands of everyday workers who work at arenas, stadiums and fields.

Fortunately, 19-year-old Zion Williamson is here to save the day.

The emerging superstar is just a rookie, but his recent pledge to pay the salaries of all Smoothie King Center workers for 30 days shows a maturity beyond his years.

The top overall draft pick and face of the New Orleans Pelicans offered his thoughts in an Instagram post:

The people of New Orleans have been incredibly welcoming and supportive since I was Drafted by the Pels last June, and some of the most special people I have met are those who work at smoothie King Center.

These are the folks who make our games possible, creating the perfect environment for our fans and everyone involved in the organization. Unfortunately, many of them are still recovering from long term challenges created by Katrina, and now face the economic impact of the postponement of games because of the virus. My mother has always set an example for me about being respectful for others and being grateful for what we have, and so today I am pledging to cover the salaries for all of those Smoothie King Center workers for the next 30 days.

This is a small way for me to express my support and appreciation for these wonderful people who have been so great to me and my teammates and hopefully we can all join together to relieve some of the stress and hardship caused by this national health crisis.

This is an incredibly resilient city full of some of the most resilient people, but sometimes providing a little extra assistance can make things a little easier for the community.

View this post on Instagram

The people of New Orleans have been incredibly welcoming and supportive since I was Drafted by the Pels last June, and some of the most special people I have met are those who work at smoothie King Center. These are the folks who make our games possible, creating the perfect environment for our fans and everyone involved in the organization. Unfortunately, many of them are still recovering from long term challenges created by Katrina, and now face the economic impact of the postponement of games because of the virus. My mother has always set an example for me about being respectful for others and being grateful for what we have, and so today I am pledging to cover the salaries for all of those Smoothie King Center workers for the next 30 days. This is a small way for me to express my support and appreciation for these wonderful people who have been so great to me and my teammates and hopefully we can all join together to relieve some of the stress and hardship caused by this national health crisis. This is an incredibly resilient city full of some of the most resilient people, but sometimes providing a little extra assistance can make things a little easier for the community.

A post shared by Zion Williamson (@zionwilliamson) on

Williamson’s selfless sacrifice is made possible with his lucrative contract. He’s currently playing on a four-year, $44.2 million contract. The high-flying dunker also has several endorsement deals that add to his net worth.

The heart-warming display of generosity by such a young player generated plenty of praise on Twitter.

For some, the donation proved Williamson’s character off the court:

Of course, Williamson isn’t the only prominent NBA figure to offer his assistance in this critical time. Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love made the first public pledge of $100,000 to help pay the staff at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

View this post on Instagram

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

Love’s donation sparked a serious of offerings from other players around the league. Among them are Blake Griffin of the Detroit Pistons and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. Both stars pledged $100,000 towards the employees of their respective hometown arenas.

It wasn’t just players who got on board. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he will continue to pay workers even without games taking place. He explained how a program will be put in place to pay them during the suspension.

The collective efforts by the players and a few owners from the NBA should serve as a reminder that those who are blessed financially can still give back to those in need.

Let’s just hope the suspension and coronavirus pandemic end quickly so we can all return to normalcy.

The post NBA Stars and Owners Pledge Financial Support for the Workers at Arenas appeared first on UberFacts.

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