Yahoo Sports Report: NBA reducing salaries of top executives, including Adam Silver, by 20 percent amid coronavirus pandemic
The NBA is making cost-cutting measures to try and get through the coronavirus pandemic. With the regular season indefinitely postponed, the NBA will reduce the salaries of its top-100 executives by 20 percent, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
When reached, NBA spokesman Mike Bass wouldn’t confirm, but told ESPN: “These are unprecedented times and, like other companies across all industries, we need to take short-term steps to deal with the harsh economic impact on our business and organization.” https://t.co/xLclePHF5L
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 26, 2020
That group includes commissioner Adam Silver and deputy commissioner Mark Tatum.
This salary reduction includes commissioner Adam Silver and deputy commissioner Mark Tatum, sources said. There are no widespread cuts to the rest of organization; no support or administrative staff are impacted. Top executives and senior leaders are first to takes these cuts now
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 26, 2020
The NBA suspended its season indefinitely after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for coronavirus. The league’s action prompted other professional sports leagues to follow suit. Shortly after the NBA postponed games, the NFL, MLB and NHL, among many others, followed suit.
A number of leagues have struggled with how to handle wages as games have been postponed indefinitely. While many teams have offered to pay arena workers during the pandemic, others — like the Philadelphia 76ers — had to be shamed into the idea. With the NBA taking the bold step of reducing pay among its biggest executives, that could convince every other team — and professional sports league — to once again follow the NBA’s example.
What will the NBA do regarding player salaries?
The NBA is still debating how to handle player salaries during the coronavirus shutdown. The league has until April 15 before its next payday. The league intends to reach a decision for how pay will be handled before that date.
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