The owners of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils have canceled plans to impose temporary salary reductions of up to 20 percent upon employees who earn at least $50,000 due to COVID-19.
The initiative was reported by the New York Times on Monday evening and was met with criticism on social media.
“After listening to our staff and players, it’s clear that was the wrong decision,” Josh Harris said in a statement. “We have reversed it and will be paying these employees 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. To our staff and fans, I apologize for getting this wrong."
Before the 76ers' reversal, Embiid had announced Tuesday that he would donate $500,000 to COVID-19 medical relief efforts and said he planned to provide financial assistance to 76ers employees affected by salary reductions.