THERE is still a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the PBA’s future seasons, but one thing is clear: The pro league is bent on returning to a three-conference format despite its growing list of obligations elsewhere.
So said an insider, who claimed the pro league wants to at least recoup some of the losses it had incurred since last year due to the pandemic and could only do so if it returns to playing three conferences starting next season.
“Malaki-laki na nawawala kaya kailangang makabawi,” said the league insider. “The only way to do that is if the PBA goes back to three tournaments. Kung dalawa lang, matatagalang makabawi.”
That should take quite a lot of doing, considering the PBA has a commitment to support the national team by loaning some of its players if needed, as well as a recent agreement to take part in the East Asia Super League for at least three years starting next year.
The EASL’s maiden season runs from October to March and will surely coincide with the PBA’s calendar, which has those months as playoffs time.
As Commissioner Willie Marcial and his deputy, Eric Castro, have said, they are looking at a return to a three-conference season starting next year but they would be ready to adjust their schedule to accommodate the EASL stint.
“Kapag nagkatapat, titigil muna tayo kahit playoffs dahil nga committed tayo sa EASL,” said Marcial.
That would entail a lot of cramming, something teams frown on but has to be done to push through with three tournaments per PBA season, according to the source.
“Kasi sa one conference na mawawala, ang laking pera noon,” said the insider. “Kung mga P100 million meron iyon. Kaya kailangan talaga three conferences, tapos adjust-adjust na lang ang PBA.”
That should entail a lot of adjustments, considering the pandemic could still throw a monkey wrench on the PBA’s plans
Already, the pandemic has forced the PBA to stage only the Philippine Cup last year under a bubble set-up in Clark, an endeavor that cost the league close to P70 million, not to mention lost revenues in sponsorships and live gate receipts.
In a bid to stanch the cash drain, the PBA lined up the Philippine Cup and the Governors Cup this year. But delays caused by the spike in COVID cases again hounded the Philippine Cup, compelling the league to again dig deep into its pockets to finish the tourney under a semi-bubble set-up in Pampanga.
Through all those, the PBA’s main source of revenues were the TV contract and sponsorship deals which have been mainly re-structured.
No official figure has been released by the league on how much was spent by the PBA and its 12 member teams for the last Philippine Cup. The total amount, which should include any gained revenue, is set to be announced weeks after the Governors Cup, set to start tomorrow.
Like in the last two conferences, fans would still be barred from the Ynares Sports Arena, venue of the import-laced tournament, for at least the first week.
Aside from the league, member teams have also been shelling out huge amounts in the form of full salaries to their players, staff and utility personnel and must recover at least part of those through more exposure.
