ESPN asks top on-air personalities to take pay cuts
Bristol: ESPN is asking some of its on-air personalities to take a 15% pay cut over the next three months because of the coronavirus pandemic. “We are asking about 100 of our commentators to join with our executives and take a temporary salary reduction,” ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said in a statement. “These are challenging times and we are all in this together.” The pay cuts, which are voluntary, would apply to ESPN’s highest-paid broadcasters. They are designed to help deter further immediate furloughs that would affect network employees who might be more financially vulnerable. ESPN has already furloughed those who work on live events. ESPN executives are taking 20 per cent-30 per cent salary reductions as part of cost-cutting measures instituted throughout Walt Disney Corp. ESPN has been re-airing games, “30 for 30” specials and NFL draft previews in the absence of live events. (AP)
Arsenal to pay staff full salaries
London: English Premier League side Arsenal will continue paying employees and casual workers their full salaries until the end of May but it won’t use the governments furlough scheme, the club said.”All our employees are receiving their full salaries and we plan to continue this. We are not currently intending to use the government’s furlough scheme,” Arsenal said in a statement.”In addition to our employees, we are extending our commitment to pay casual workers on our payroll from the end of April to the end of May.”For our matchday casual workers this means they will be paid for all four Premier League games that have been postponed and will be paid again should they work at these games once re-arranged.”The top-flight Premier League season has been suspended until at least April 30 due to the novel COVID-19 pandemic. (IANS)
Italian soccer likely to restart Serie A
Rome:Italian soccer will likely resume with the Serie A before the two lower divisions. The Italian soccer federation met with its medical commission and says it could consider a staggered start “with priority to Serie A.” The medical commission has also recommended that when clubs resume training they do so in training camps with limited access and with strict screening protocols. Federation president Gabriele Gravina says “we are working without rushing, but without stopping so we will be ready when the relevant institutions give us the go-ahead.” (AP)