DURHAM – Citing the impact of the coronavirus on the sports industry with games and events cancelled around the world, SportsMedia Technology Corporation in Durham has furloughed 35 percent of its workforce.
The move, labeled as “temporary layoffs” in a notice filed with the state of North Carolina, affects 44 of 125 works at the Durham location,
SMT provides various forms of technology and services to augment broadcasts. Event cancellations means SMT “is not able to earn revenue,” the company said.
The furloughs were necessary “in order to survive as a company,” wrote Mickey Herrin, Jr., the firm’s vice president for legal affairs.
The notice was received by the state on March 31. Furloughs took effect immediately on March 17 when the notice was filed, according to the statement.
Affected jobs include:
- 19 in operations
- 16 in engineering
- 3 in business development
- 3 in marketing
- 2 in administration
- 1 in corporate
