A landlord who alleges the NBA has failed to pay more than $1.25 million in rent on its store on New York’s Fifth Avenue during the coronavirus pandemic is suing NBA Media Ventures, according to ESPN.
The suit, which seeks $1,257,412.96 as well as $20,000 in legal fees, was filed on Tuesday in New York.
According to the suit, rent at the store is $625,000 per month and the league did not pay in April or May, when the store was closed due to COVID-19.
“Like other retail stores on Fifth Avenue in New York City, the NBA Store was required to close as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” NBA chief communications officer Mike Bass said in a statement Wednesday.
“Under those circumstances, we don’t believe these claims have any merit. We have attempted, and will continue to attempt, to work directly with our landlord to resolve this matter in a manner that is fair to all parties.”