Every Major League Baseball team is pledging one million dollars for ballpark employees who are missing work due to the coronavirus. The MLB, just like the NHL, has suspended its season during the coronavirus pandemic.
The MLB has apparently learned from the NHL (props: Brennin!!), where it took four days for a majority of NHL owners to commit to taking care of their most vulnerable workers. Capitals owner Ted Leonsis was one of the first owners who pledged to do so.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to report the news.
NEWS: Each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams will commit $1 million to ballpark employees who would not have been paid due to the coronavirus crisis causing the postponement of the baseball season until at least mid-May. Story filed to ESPN and coming soon.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 17, 2020
“Over the past 48 hours, I have been approached by representatives of all 30 clubs to help assist the thousands of ballpark employees affected by the delay in the start of the Major League Baseball season,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement to MLB.com. “Motivated by a desire to help some of the most valuable members of the baseball community, each Club has committed $1 million. The individual clubs will be announcing more details surrounding this support effort in their local communities.
“The timing of these announcements will vary because of the need to coordinate with state and local laws as well as collective bargaining obligations in an effort to maximize the benefits realized by each group of employees,” Manfred added. “I am proud that our clubs came together so quickly and uniformly to support these individuals who provide so much to the game we love.”
The MLB and the MLB Players Association also combined to donate $1 million to Feeding America (FeedingAmerica.org) and Meals on Wheels America (MealsonWheelsAmerica.org) to assist those who have difficulty accessing food.
