The Stars "will undergo another round of furloughs, including most of the remaining front office," but excluding employees that are "vice presidents or higher," according to Matthew DeFranks of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. The furloughs are slated to run through July 3. The Stars' hockey operations department "was not affected by the furloughs, but management, coaches and scouts and took 20% pay cuts." The remaining execs who "initially took a 20% pay cut in late March received an additional salary reduction," but Stars President Brad Alberts "did not disclose how much." Alberts also "did not disclose the exact number of employees furloughed." Alberts on April 30 announced that the team "would furlough 20% of its workforce for 60 days." The second round of furloughs "will end at the same time as the first." Alberts said the intent was to bring "most of them back immediately once we know and have clarity" on the NHL season. DeFranks notes this measure is the "latest cost-cutting tactic" used by Stars Owner Tom Gaglardi across his portfolio of businesses. Northland Properties, owned by the Gaglardi family, "operates a number of hotels and restaurant chains that have been impacted heavily by the pandemic." The economic turmoil surrounding Gaglardi "raises the question: Is the return to the NHL enough to secure the return of Stars employees, or is that dependent on the health of the hotel and restaurant industries?" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/15).
HARD TIMES CONTINUE: In Cincinnati, John Fay notes the Reds "announced furloughs for the staff beginning June 1." The team in a statement said these changes "involve under 25% of our employees being placed on temporary furloughs." Meanwhile, the Marlins "reportedly will furlough 100 staff members of the baseball operations staff beginning June 1" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 5/15).
