Report: Players Will Continue To Get Paid During Coronavirus Hiatus

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – When the NBA announced it was suspending its season due to the coronavirus outbreak that struck Utah Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, the league was left facing a myriad of questions about its immediate future, including whether the players should continue to expect to draw paychecks.

In the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, there is a clause that states in case of a force majeure event (superior force) the league’s owners may not be required to pay a percentage of the players’ salaries. Within the guidelines, a pandemic like the one the world is facing now qualifies as a force majeure event.

However, Saturday afternoon Shams Sharania of The Athletic reported that the National Basketball Players Association has sent a memo to the player agents stating that they fully expect players to continue to receive their scheduled pay.

No games no pay 👀 hope everybody saved properly https://t.co/mxrdpvNalf

— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) March 12, 2020

Some players, like the Portland Trailblazers CJ McCollum had expected the pay to cease while no games were being played.

The NBA is set to pay the players for their services Sunday, the first pay period due after the league’s suspension. Most players receive checks bi-monthly though dates of pay can be negotiated with a player’s contract.

How long players should expect to continue to get paid remains a mystery if the season is canceled entirely. League commissioner Adam Silver said a full cancellation was a possibility if the coronavirus outbreak continues.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver comments on the possibility of the season ending. pic.twitter.com/VvVM53yCjZ

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 13, 2020

Following the league’s suspension, the league instituted policies that prevented NBA players from traveling away from their team’s host city, blocked group workouts, and asked players to self isolate as much as is reasonably possible. Those guidelines expire Monday when a new set of instructions will be shared with the 30 organizations and their players.

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The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

The CDC does not recommend wearing a facemask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.

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