Hours after the NHL paused to its season due to the pandemic spread of the COVID-19 virus, T-Mobile Arena employees were called in for a meeting on Thursday morning.



The hundreds of workers — ushers, security guards, concession workers, production staff and custodians — all came into work that morning expecting to welcome thousands of college basketball fans through the doors for Day 2 of the Pac 12 college basketball tournament; instead, the doors were closed.



The employees were informed that the basketball tournament had been canceled and the NHL season was on hold. The next two days of work – canceled. The three Golden Knights home games over the next week – canceled. André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra (March 20), the Zac Brown Band concert (March 27), and six performances of Cirque du Soleil’s new ice show, Axel — all canceled.



“My son was excited I could spend more time with him until he found out...