Sports
76ers Reverse Course, Will Pay Employees Amid Coronavirus Crisis
The abrupt reversal from Sixers billionaire owner Josh Harris comes hours after Joel Embiid announced he would help impacted employees.
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Hours after 76ers superstar Joel Embiid said he would help the organization's employees impacted by salary cuts, ownership has abruptly reversed course.
"After listening to our staff and players, it's clear that was the wrong decision," Josh Harris, the principal owner of the 76ers said in a statement Tuesday. "We have reversed it and will be paying these employees their full salaries."
On Monday, billionaire Harris had announced that the franchise would be cutting the pay of full time, salaried employees by 20 percent during the coronavirus outbreak. On Tuesday, Joel Embiid pledged $500,000 in donations to healthcare workers, and added that he would help those impacted employees.
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Hours later, Harris issued his apology and retraction.
"This is an extraordinary time in our world - unlike any most of us have ever lived through before - and ordinary business decisions are not enough to meet the moment," Harris' statement continued. "To our staff and fans, I apologize for getting this wrong."
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However, fans and analysts around the league noticed, leading to a quick outburst from critics who noted that if Embiid can afford to pay employees, Harris can, too.
Legit hilarious that it took the 76ers ownership under 24 hours to realize that they were going to painted as cartoon villains for doing this given that Josh Harris is worth $3.7 billion. Honestly embarrassing that they thought they should do this in the first place. https://t.co/820H63951I
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) March 24, 2020
Josh Harris has a net worth of $3.9 billion, per Forbes. Michael Rubin $2.9b. Not going to list every partner, but they aren't broke. They bought the team for $280m and it's now valued at $2b. And Embiid is stepping in to pay their employees. Interesting PR situation we have. https://t.co/LkpjS5rht6
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) March 24, 2020
The statement also applied to the NHL's New Jersey Devils and their employees, which Harris is also the principal owner of.
The NBA season has been suspended indefinitely.
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