A
Andy Larsen
Guest
Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment announced a 40% reduction in workforce on Friday morning via furloughs, after revenues were cut to near zero in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
About 200 people will temporarily lose their jobs as a result of the cuts — with no clear return date. The NBA and Minor League Baseball seasons are on indefinite hiatus, while those leagues wait until play can resume safely.
Meanwhile, big-studio films that Megaplex Theaters rely on have been delayed through June and into July.
“These are unprecedented times and, like other companies across all industries, the sports and entertainment world has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Jin Olson, president of Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment, said in a statement. “With no clear indication of when our businesses can fully reopen, we have made the difficult yet necessary decision to furlough a portion of our employees within Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment.”
Olson told The Tribune that workers will receive healthcare benefits, and anticipates all 200 or so workers will be brought back eventually, though likely not all at once.
The furloughs follow significant layoffs in Larry H. Miller businesses in early April. Then, about 1,000 employees were laid off across all LHM businesses, including car dealerships. Friday’s furloughs do not impact the dealerships or other non-sports and entertainment businesses.
Other LHM employees have been asked to take salary cuts during the pandemic.
The NBA’s season was suspended on March 11 after Jazz center Rudy Gobert’s positive test for the coronavirus, while baseball’s season never got underway. Megaplex closed their theaters on March 18.
This story will be updated.
Full Story from The Salt Lake Tribune...
About 200 people will temporarily lose their jobs as a result of the cuts — with no clear return date. The NBA and Minor League Baseball seasons are on indefinite hiatus, while those leagues wait until play can resume safely.
Meanwhile, big-studio films that Megaplex Theaters rely on have been delayed through June and into July.
“These are unprecedented times and, like other companies across all industries, the sports and entertainment world has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Jin Olson, president of Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment, said in a statement. “With no clear indication of when our businesses can fully reopen, we have made the difficult yet necessary decision to furlough a portion of our employees within Larry H. Miller Sports & Entertainment.”
Olson told The Tribune that workers will receive healthcare benefits, and anticipates all 200 or so workers will be brought back eventually, though likely not all at once.
The furloughs follow significant layoffs in Larry H. Miller businesses in early April. Then, about 1,000 employees were laid off across all LHM businesses, including car dealerships. Friday’s furloughs do not impact the dealerships or other non-sports and entertainment businesses.
Other LHM employees have been asked to take salary cuts during the pandemic.
The NBA’s season was suspended on March 11 after Jazz center Rudy Gobert’s positive test for the coronavirus, while baseball’s season never got underway. Megaplex closed their theaters on March 18.
This story will be updated.
Full Story from The Salt Lake Tribune...