As part of larger corporate cutbacks amid the coronavirus pandemic, layoffs are underway within the Utah Jazz.
Those cutbacks include non-basketball personnel, and some employees are taking salary reductions, sources told ESPN.
The Jazz are one of approximately 80 companies within the Larry H. Miller Group, which confirmed the layoffs as “a small percentage of our workforce” in a statement on Friday afternoon.
The Jazz are the first NBA organization to make layoffs, but several others are considering the possibility, sources said. The NBA has been shut down since March 11, and there are no assurances that the season can resume.
“Due to the impact on our customer-facing businesses from this unprecedented pandemic, the (Miller Group) … unfortunately had to make difficult decisions to reduce a small percentage of our workforce,” the statement reads. “Over the past several weeks, we have worked to manage and reduce costs, including executive compensation, and have reached a point where we have had to say farewell to a limited number of our valued employees.
“We have connected with our associates with outplacement services and aligned them with employers who have immediate hiring needs. We remain focused on helping our communities stay healthy.”
Last month, the Philadelphia 76ers had announced salary reductions for employees making over $50,000 a year, but reversed course shortly afterward because of strong internal and external criticism.