Los Angeles (AFP)

Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo promised Friday to release a sum of 100,000 dollars (90,000 euros) for employees of the FiServ Forum, the room where the Bucks play, forced into technical unemployment after the suspension of NBA matches due to coronavirus.

"My family and I are committed to donating $ 100,000 to the staff of the Fiserv Forum. We can do it together!" Tweeted the best player (MVP) of the 2018-2019 season.

"It's more important than basketball!", He continued, before concluding: "During this difficult period, I want to help people who make my life easier, that of my family and that of my teammates ".

Those employed on match nights at the FiServ Forum as in the 28 other halls where NBA teams play are currently out of work. A precarious situation that will last as long as the season remains under control in the United States and Canada.

"Greek Freak" is the second big name in the NBA to provide financial support after Cleveland Cavaliers wing Kevin Love, who has already released $ 100,000 to help employees of the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

In their wake, other stars have also shown themselves sensitive to the shortfall of these little hands, collateral victims of the Covid-19, like the interior of the Detroit Pistons Blake Griffin, who promised to give the same sum to the employees of the Little Caesars Arena.

New Orleans phenomenon rookie Zion Williamson has pledged to "cover the salaries of all employees of the Smoothie King Center for the next 30 days".

Several franchises, such as the Brooklyn Nets or the Washington Wizards, have since announced that their hall employees will be paid, despite the non-hosting of games. For his part, Mark Cuban, the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks, said that his franchise would set up an assistance plan to financially support the employees of the American Airlines Center.

The Golden State Warriors, finalists of the last five NBA seasons and crowned champions in 2015, 2017 and 2018, have announced that their owners and players will donate a million dollars to help the employees of their hall. Over a thousand people work part-time at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

Professional ice hockey (NHL) teams have also pledged their help.

© 2020 AFP