SAN ANTONIO – Spurs Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the San Antonio Spurs, has announced the formation of a fund totaling over $500,000 that will ensure that the organization’s part-time employees will be paid through the end of the Spurs and San Antonio Rampage seasons.

The fund was announced in response to the NBA and AHL suspending games amid the COVID-19 or novel coronavirus outbreak.

“As San Antonio feels the ripple effects of the difficult decisions we have all had to make because of this global pandemic, we know that few will feel this more than the members of our community who rely on hourly and part-time employment to take care of their families,” said SS&E Chairman Peter J. Holt in a statement.

Holt added: “Spurs Sports & Entertainment is a values-based organization, and taking care of our entire staff – both full time and part time – was never a question of ‘if’, but of ‘how’. I’m pleased to say that after spending the last few days examining every option together, our leadership team has found a way to ensure that these invaluable members of the SS&E Family will be provided for.”

Several professional sports franchises and players have donated to assist their arena employees who were left without work when leagues temporarily shut down.

The NBA suspended its season on March 12.

KSAT CORONAVIRUS CONTINUING COVERAGE:

· USAA employee in San Antonio tests positive for coronavirus, company official says

· San Antonio officials investigating third travel-related case of COVID-19

· H-E-B stores offer free, next-day curbside ordering to promote social distancing for COVID-19

· San Antonio school districts providing free, curbside meal service for students during closure

· These events have been canceled, postponed, modified around San Antonio area over coronavirus

· Track live coronavirus updates with real-time map of confirmed cases, deaths

· The ultimate coronavirus guide: From preparedness and prevention to testing and treatment

· SAQ: Your questions answered about the coronavirus

· Texas Gov. Abbott declares statewide emergency over coronavirus pandemic

· What we know: San Antonio tourism hotspots impacted by the coronavirus