The sports world is eerily silent. All the major leagues have suspended play. The Masters has been postponed. While many are stuck at home in self-isolation or quarantine, the usual escape that sport provides is largely unavailable. The impact on athletes and fans is obviously significant, but the tangible effects on game day and arena staff are even more pronounced.
The Canadian Tire Centre was scheduled to hold the Ottawa Senators' four remaining home games, in addition to various other now-postponed events in the coming days and weeks. That means lost earning opportunities for those dedicated staff members who work so hard to create memorable entertainment experiences for Senators fans and the greater Ottawa community.
Of course, this issue isn’t isolated to the Ottawa area. It’s a direct side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in basically every major sports and entertainment center. The good news, though? Much of the sports world has stepped up, led by Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks.
“I reached out ... to find out what it would cost to financially support people who aren’t going to be able to come to work.…
— ESPN (@espn) March 12, 2020
–Mark Cuban on his plan for Mavericks employees during the NBA suspension pic.twitter.com/McOl1vHUqO
which NHL teams are paying their part-time workers during the league suspension? https://t.co/6Rhpm9TZLu pic.twitter.com/y3aiGgEGku
— Yahoo Sports NHL (@YahooSportsNHL) March 13, 2020
Common sense has dictated that the Senators don’t have a real need to spend money on this rebuild for at least the next couple years. This turn of events changes things. The broader Senators organization doesn’t have a need to spend on the ice, but they absolutely should consider spending money to assist arena employees while play is suspended. Even with questions about their financial situation, the Senators are still in a position to make a big difference in the lives of those who make a big difference off the ice at each and every game. This is an opportunity to do the right thing and earn an overwhelming amount of goodwill in the community, all for what would amount to barely a dent in league salary cap terms.
Hockey teams make questionable spending decisions on the ice all the time. Passing up the chance to make a guaranteed good one off the ice would be foolish for the Senators.
As always, thanks for reading.