The owners of the New Jersey Devils said Friday they will pay hourly employees and Prudential Center staff for postponed games and events while the NHL season remains paused due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Employees are family. ... It's important to band together and lift each other up during these times," Devils chairman Josh Harris and vice-chairman David Blitzer told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
After the league postponed operations Thursday, the Devils called their team and arena staff members "the heartbeat of the organization" and said the club was committed to assisting them through the hiatus.
It later became evident that several teams were following suit.
Ilitch Holdings, the company that owns the Detroit Red Wings and MLB's Tigers, set up a $1 million fund to cover one month's wages for part-time staff for games, concerts, and events they would've otherwise worked.
Ted Leonsis, the owner of the Washington Capitals and the NBA's Wizards, told Capital One Arena staff Friday morning that anyone scheduled to work an event - including Capitals and Wizards games - through March 31 will be paid, a source told The Athletic's Tarik El-Bashir.
Anaheim Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli will keep paying full- and part-time employees who were scheduled to work at Honda Center through March 31, reports The Athletic's Eric Stephens.
Winnipeg Jets owner Mark Chipman did the opposite Thursday, telling reporters that roughly 1,200 part-time workers at Bell MTS Place will not be compensated during the shutdown.
"They work when we work," the True North Sports and Entertainment chairman said, according to the Winnipeg Sun's Paul Friesen. "So, regrettably, to the extent that we're not putting on shows and games, those people obviously would not have a call to work."
NHL clubs will not travel, practice, or hold team meetings while the season is suspended, TSN's Darren Dreger reported Thursday.
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Friday the league expects players to stay in their club cities and recommends against holding informal skates.
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