Lakers, Clippers Join Forces To Help Staples Center Employees Affected By Coronavirus Crisis

The Lakers and Clippers are setting aside their rivalry for now as the Los Angeles teams are joining forces to extend their hands to the Staples Center workforce who are affected by the Coronavirus crisis.

The global health scare has penetrated the sports industry, forcing several leagues across the world to suspend, or even cancel, their games indefinitely – and the NBA was no exception. As a result, franchise owners, executives, coaches, and players have been strained, but this hit on them is none bigger than the challenge is thrown at each arena’s staff and employees who are far less compensated with their work.

The awareness for this reality was escalated by some players who initiated to shrink their personal pockets in aid of these unsung heroes. And now the Lakers and Clippers are following suit.

Along with NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, who also plays inside the Staples, the Lakers and Clippers are “finalizing details of a plan that would compensate the hundreds of part-time and contract workers who staff Staples Center’s biggest events,” The Orange County Register’s Kyle Goon reported. “It’s a measure that could help allay concerns that the most vulnerable workers will keep a steady income during NBA, NHL and event shutdowns due to the coronavirus outbreak.”

The employees who might be covered by the assistance are arena ushers, security, announcers, statisticians, and dance teams. The special compensation is expected to last for the entire period of the hiatus.

“It’s likely to cover event staff, such as ushers and security personnel who are well known at the arena for their red blazers,” Goon continued. “The Lakers and Clippers have also told game-night employees that they will continue to compensate them through the NBA hiatus. This includes employees such as team statisticians, announcers and dance teams. Both franchises have asked employees to work from home if possible.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday that the league will be suspended for at least 30 days, leaving these workers extremely agonized by uncertainty. But with these kinds of initiatives, at least these people are ensured that they will not go back to their homes empty-handed.

More personnel in the NBA and other major leagues could only hope to be treated as them. But with the influence that these LA franchises have, perhaps it is just a matter of time till everyone gets rewarded the same while facing this trying time.