COVID-19 Sports Update: A’s Stop Paying Minor Leaguers, NHL Announces Return

With apologies, I had a long, hard day, so I’m going to keep this one brief. Important stuff to note, though.

Oakland A’s Abandon Their Minor Leaguers

I almost don’t know what to say. But what I will say is that this is unacceptable, unkind, ghoulish, horrible for these humans, and terrible for the sport:

The Oakland A's informed minor league players today that they would not continue paying them $400 a week after the end of the month, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN.

Other decisions from organizations should arrive in the coming days. A bad sign to start, though.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 27, 2020

The A’s made sure to explicitly remind their minor league players that their contracts remain in effect, and they are prohibited from performing baseball services for any other club. You know, in the same email they told those players they won’t be paying them anymore:

Here is the email David Forst sent to players today: https://t.co/rwHqiAeKla pic.twitter.com/rEZK2RC1eZ

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) May 27, 2020

For good measure, the A’s also instituted significant furloughs and pay cuts for employees today.

The breadth and the depth of A’s furloughs might rival that of the Angels, which is really saying something. Almost all amateur and pro scouts will be furloughed in June, as will about three-quarters of their player-development employees, I’m told.

— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) May 26, 2020

From the A’s owner, who says he “became involved with the A’s because I love the game of baseball”:

John Fisher’s email to fans, obtained by the ⁦@sfchronicle⁩: pic.twitter.com/DjFXBLYc5k

— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) May 27, 2020

NHL is Coming Back with a Big Ole Tourney

Meanwhile, as the A’s do what they’ve done and the rest of the league fights about money, the NHL announced that it is coming back with a 24-team playoff:

The @NHL has released a Return to Play Plan for the 2019-20 season.

◾ 24 teams to compete for #StanleyCup
◾ 2 hub cities will host games
◾ Protocol for return to training
◾ Draft Lottery

Full Details: https://t.co/JGXioEC4FA pic.twitter.com/3KoUjPRsq4

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 26, 2020

Commissioner Gary Bettman shares details on the NHL’s Return to Play Plan. https://t.co/ZH7153tpZ0

— NHL (@NHL) May 26, 2020

Enjoy, hockey fans. Sounds fun. The Blackhawks just barely made the cut.