JJ Watt and Kealia Ohai donate $350,000 to foodbank amid coronavirus outbreak

The suspension of all major sport in the US as measures were implemented in an effort to contain the novel coronavirus has hit some of those working in the industry hard.

With the NBA season indefinitely suspended, thousands of hourly employees at basketball arenas, for example, will miss out on pay.

PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL - MARCH 15: Players of Gremio enter the field wearing masks before the match between Gremio and Sao Luiz as part of the Rio Grande do Sul State Championship 2020, to be played behind closed doors at Arena do Gremio Stadium, on March 15, 2020 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The Government of the State of Rio Grande do Sul issued a list of new guidelines to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus which included games played with closed doors and no public. According to the Ministry of Health, as of Saturday, March 14, Brazil had 121 confirmed cases of coronavirus. (Photo by Lucas Uebel/Getty Images)

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In response, some of sport’s top earners are donating a portion of their wages to help those in need.

NFL player JJ Watt and his wife Kealia Ohai, a professional soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars, have led the way, donating $350,000 to the Houston Food Bank.

According to ESPN, the money donated by the Houston Texan defensive lineman and Ohai will provide over one million meals to those in need.

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Watt and his 'JJ Watt Foundation' helped raise $41.6 million in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Pictured is Watt and Ohai looking at the line of people waiting for distribution of relief supplies.

Around the leagues

In Major League Baseball, Houston Astros outfielder George Springer donated $100,000 to employees who work at the Astros’ Minute Maid Park.

Teams and players in the NBA have also been coming together to provide support for employees whose livelihoods were at risk following the suspension of the league.

Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and teen sensation Zion Williamson are just a few of the names who have said they will help support the employees at the basketball arenas they play in.

A Lakers fan wears a mask to protect against the Coronavirus as he pays his respects at a Staples Center memorial wall to NBA legend Kobe Bryant,

Antetokounmpo announced on Twitter that he would be paying $100,000 to Milwakuee’s Fiserv Forum staff, while Williamson – who is still in his rookie season – said in a post on Instagram he was paying the salaries of Smoothie King Center employees for the next 30 days.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns announced he is donating $100,000 to the Mayo Clinic to assist in coronavirus testing.

“My hope is that we can fight this virus quicker and more efficiently by increasing the testing capabilities and availability and Mayo Clinic’s overall COVID-19 response,” Towns wrote on Twitter.

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who was the first NBA player to be tested positive for the coronavirus, is donating $200,000 to the employee relief fund at Vivint Smart Home Arena. In addition, he is donating $100,000 each to coronavirus-related social services in Utah and Oklahoma City, plus €100,000 (roughly $111,000) to coronavirus relief in his native France, according to the Jazz’s website.

The Golden State Warriors announced that the franchise’s owners, players and coaches will contribute $1 million to disaster relief fund for Chase Center employees.

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Before being tested postive for coronavirus, Gobert jokingly touches the microphones at a press conference.

Around the world

Athletes outside of the US are also coming together to help provide support.

South Korea soccer captain and Tottenham Hotspur forward, Son Heung-Min, donated over $82,000 (100 million won) to a non-profit organization in his home country to “prevent Covid-19 infection.”

TOPSHOT - Atalanta's Slovenian midfielder Josip Ilicic (C) scores during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Valencia CF and Atalanta at Estadio Mestalla on March 10, 2020 in Valencia. (Photo by - / POOL UEFA / AFP) (Photo by -/POOL UEFA/AFP via Getty Images)

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Son’s compatriot, esports superstar “Faker,” has donated about $25,000 to the Community Chest of Korea charity.

In Italy, 18-time top-flight champion AC Milan announced it would donate $284,000 (€250,000) to relief efforts tackling the virus, as well as reimbursing fans who were not able to attend games that took place behind closed doors.

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Elsewhere, fans of Atalanta announced that they would be making a donation of $45,000 (€40,000) to a northern Italian hospital.