With the NBA season on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has announced that he and his family will pledge $100,000 to support Fiserv Forum staff.
Just two days after NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that the 2019/2020 season would be suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak in North America, the impacts of that decision are being felt across the league.
Among those exposed financially are the arena workers, who will be unable to work while the NBA season is suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In Milwaukee, the newly-opened Fiserv Forum is also feeling the impacts of the NBA’s decision to put the season on hold for the sake of public health. In the wake of the announcement, the Milwaukee Bucks emailed Fiserv Forum employees and told them that if they were on the schedule for Thursday's game between Milwaukee and Boston, those staff members still would be paid a guaranteed three-hour minimum because the game was canceled less than 24 hours before staff was expected to be at the arena.
That’s where the Antetokounmpo family comes in. On Friday, Giannis Antetokounmpo tweeted that he and his family will pledge $100,000 to support arena workers during the suspension.
It’s bigger than basketball! And during this tough time I want to help the people that make my life, my family’s lives and my teammates lives easier. Me and my family pledge to donate $100,000 to the Fiserv Forum staff. We can get through this together! 🙏🏽
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) March 13, 2020
Bucks senior vice president Alex Lasry also tweeted that the team would match Antetokounmpo's pledge.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love and New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson have also announced they’ll be donating $100,000 to support arena workers in their markets.
Former US President Barack Obama recognised the move by 'The Greek Freak' and other NBA stars.
A shout out to Kevin, Giannis, Zion, Blake, Steph and all the players, owners and organizations who are setting a good example during a challenging time. A reminder that we’re a community, and that each of us has an obligation to look out for each other. https://t.co/cv1RZi9GGL
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 14, 2020
by Peter Katsiris
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