NBA sued for $1.2M over unpaid rent at NYC store

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The owners of a midtown Manhattan building are suing the NBA for $1.2 million in unpaid rent for the league's flagship store in April and May.

The league is required to pay $625,000 of its $7.5 million annual rent on the first day of each month, owners of 545 Fifth Ave. said in a suit filed Tuesday, according to The Associated Press.

The store has been closed for approximately two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league said Wednesday the claims don't have merit.

“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," spokesperson Mike Bass said. "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."