NBA Lock-Out’s Effect on Orlando

ORLANDO – The NBA has been in a lock-out and has already missed the first couple weeks of the season. Orlando has a lot at stake if the NBA does not work out their differences. The NBA All-Star game is scheduled to be in Orlando early next year. That weekend alone is expected to produce $80M – $100 Million of economic impact in the Orlando area.

Here’s a breakdown of who is working at the Amway Center besides Dwight Howard and his high-priced buddies:

- 550 hourly food service employees, and 21 who are salaried.

- 66 janitors.

- 125 ushers or ticker takers

Buddy Dyer took charge along with other NBA city Mayors and wrote a letter to David Stern and the NBA. Below is their letter:

An open letter to the National Basketball Association and the NBA Players Union from America’s Mayors:

We are the Mayors of our country’s NBA cities.  Every year, our residents pack the arenas where our teams play.  They buy the NBA’s products.  They cheer for their favorite players with passion and intensity.  They attend games and make lasting memories with family and friends.  Many own or work at small businesses that depend on NBA games for survival.  No matter how you look at it, our NBA teams are a vital part of the economic and social fabric of our cities.

Unfortunately, lost in the debate over a new NBA collective bargaining agreement, has been the perspective of those very residents and the negative impact a cancelled season might have on them, our cities and our local economies.

We know the issues being discussed between NBA owners and players are complex and need to be addressed to ensure the long-term wellbeing of the league.  We are not interested in taking a side.  The United States Conference of Mayors has always maintained impartiality in major leagues sports negotiations.

Rather, we respectfully ask that you consider the consequences to our cities should the lockout continue.  We ask that you work quickly to find a way to compromise so that we might salvage the upcoming NBA season.

We are proud to call our cities home to NBA franchises.  As basketball fans, we know winning and losing is part of the game.  Rest assured; everyone loses if there is no season.

If we can be of any help to the process of securing the upcoming season, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Mayor Gregory A. Ballard, Indianapolis

Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando

Mayor Kevin Johnson, Sacramento

Mayor A. C. Wharton , Jr., Memphis

Mayor Vincent Gray, Washington, DC

Mayor Michael Nutter, Philadelphia

Mayor Phil Gordon, Phoenix

Mayor Annise D. Parker, Houston

Mayor Mike Rawlings, Dallas

Mayor Anthony Foxx, Charlotte

Mayor David Bing, Detroit

Mayor Ralph Becker, Salt Lake City

Mayor Julian Castro, San Antonio

Mayor Michael Hancock, Denver