NHL to Cut League Office Employee Salaries by 25% During COVID-19 Hiatus

The NHL plans to temporarily cut the salaries of league employees by 25 percent, according to ESPN's Emily Kaplan. 

Like many other sports leagues across the world, the NHL is on an indefinite hiatus to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

"According to sources, the NHL is hoping that the temporary pay cut among league office employees will prevent layoffs during this uncertain time," per Kaplan.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski that NHL players will receive their full salaries for the 2019-20 season. However, those who work for the league and NHL teams could be impacted financially by the ongoing pandemic.

According to the New York Post's Larry Brooks, the NHL told players the league's revenue loss could total anywhere from "the best-case low of a couple of hundred million dollars to a worst-case amount of up to 1 billion dollars."

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment CEO Scott O'Neil confirmed the ownership group is temporarily reducing the salaries for employees of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, per the New York Times' Marc Stein:

According to Stein, Devils president Jake Reynolds is among those who wasn't required to take a salary reduction but will accept a lower paycheck for the time being.

In announcing the suspension of the current season, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he's hopeful of concluding the campaign and crowning a Stanley Cup champion. Bettman also discussed the situation on ESPN's Get Up:

The NHL is on hold until at least mid-May after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended an eight-week break from events with at least 50 people.

Kaplan reported the NHL's salary reductions will go into effect April 1.