Ducks owners will cut employee salaries to avoid furloughs and layoffs

With the Anaheim Ducks not playing a game since March 11 due to the coronavirus shutdown, the team is cutting salaries of full-time employees.

Henry and Susan Samueli —who own the Ducks and Honda Center— said they’re slashing pay by 25% for at least the next six months in order to avoid furloughing, or laying off full-time staff.

As part of the plan, employees who earn more than $75,000 annually will see their salaries come down, while those earning less will still be paid their full wages, per Elliot Teaford of the OC Register.

The Samuelis employ nearly 500 people through their operations, which include: The Ducks, Honda Center, the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, and The Rinks. Part-time employees will be paid through the end of the month.

This decision comes as no surprise. With the Ducks doubtful to play another home game in 2020, and the arena sitting empty due to restrictions on large gatherings in California, the Samuelis will have to look to cut their losses.

Anaheim’s 2019-20 season is over, with the Ducks not being one of the 24 teams pegged to play in the NHL’s return to play plan. The good news is that fans do have something hockey related coming up to look to forward to.

The NHL Draft Lottery is scheduled for June 26, and with Anaheim holding the fifth-best odds to get the No. 1 pick, it could be an exciting day for not only ownership, but Ducks fans as well.

Commissioner Gary Bettman has said the league is hoping to start the 2020-21 season in either late December, or Jan. 1 with the Winter Classic.

When do you think the Ducks will play their next home game?