Devils, Sixers nix decision to cut salaries amid pandemic

The New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers have done an about face on cutting salaries for employees making more than $100,000.

A day after posting the temporary 20% pay cuts because of the economics effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the co-owners of the teams announced Tuesday they were rescinding them, saying it was a mistake.

Co-owner Josh Harris said after listening to his staff and players, it’ was clear that the original decision was the wrong decision and employees will be paid their full salaries.

“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 said in a statement. “To our staff and fans, I apologize for getting this wrong.”

The teams did not say whether they plan to maintain a four-day work week, which was part of the cuts. The employees’ benefits were never changed and the teams plan on keeping their 1,500 hourly workers paid throughout the regular season.

The Devils of the NHL and the Sixers of the NBA are owned by Harris and David Blitzer, who are the founders of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment.

The original cuts were scheduled to last for three months and would have amounted to roughly 6% of the employees yearly salary.

The teams plan to enter into additional partnerships in Philadelphia, Camden and Newark to assist neighbors with food and resource distribution during the public health crisis.

The NBA suspended its season on Mar. 11 because of the coronavirus. The NHL did the same thing the following day.

The Devils (28-29-12) have 13 games left in the regular season and likely will miss the playoffs if the season resumes. The Sixers (39-26) have the sixth best record in the Eastern Conference and were on track to make the playoffs.

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