Pegulas to Compensate Arena Employees

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Pegula Sports and Entertainment released a statement Saturday indicating that game day employees will be paid for lost wages.

Also, company employees have been given the option to work from home.

"Our gameday employees at the arenas in Buffalo and Rochester will be paid for any lost wages due to regular season game cancellations. They are part of our PSE family and even though we expect that the games will be played, we want to assure them they will be paid in the event that is not the case," said Kim Pegula. 

A statement from PSE Owner/CEO Kim Pegula: pic.twitter.com/BaCQBE4k0Y

Beginning Monday, March 16, PSE employees in Buffalo and Rochester have been given the option to work from home, with some very limited exceptions.

All business travel, domestic and international, is currently prohibited for Pegula Sports and Entertainment employees.

"This is an extremely difficult period of time for everyone," said Kim Pegula. "We urge our entire community to follow CDC guidelines and the direction of our government agencies. These uncertain times have placed a lot of stress on our employees and we want to assure them we are doing whatever we feel is necessary to provide a safe and healthy workplace."

Wednesday night, when the NBA season was abruptly suspended, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was the first professional sports team owner to come out and say he was going to compensate arena employees.  Several other owners have agreed to some form of compensation since then. 

PSE owns the Sabres, Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Bandits lacrosse, and Rochester Americans minor league hockey team.  All teams have paused their seasons because of the coronavirus crisis.