NBA players will receive their full paychecks on April 15, US media reported, but salaries could be reduced as the league remains shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic.
ESPN and the Philadelphia Inquirer were among the outlets citing league sources in reporting on Thursday that players would be paid as usual on April 15.
The league and the National Basketball Players Association have been negotiating a salary-reduction percentage for upcoming pay periods, and on Tuesday the players association reiterated to agents that owners could withhold 25 percent of players’ remaining salaries if the season is cancelled.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Monday that he did not expect the league to be in a position to make a decision on when and how a return to play might happen until May.
The regular season was due to end on April 15, with the playoffs scheduled to start on April 18.
The virus has so far infected over 16,00,000 people worldwide while already claiming over 95,000 lives globally. There is still no sure shot treatment of the dreaded disease and social distancing, self-isolation and hand hygiene remain the only potent ways to protect oneself from being infected.
(With inputs from AFP via PTI)