Team owners meet on TV deal, Phl five

By Nelson Beltran (The Philippine Star) Updated December 30, 2010

MANILA, Philippines - The PBA team owners meet for the first time in a long while on Jan. 25 to resolve major business concerns, including the league’s next TV coveror.


The league’s participation in the national team and the proposed PBA coliseum are also in the agenda as the PBA principals – among the giants in Philippine business sector – convene in a meeting at Club Filipino in Greenhills.

Smart-PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang, Alaska Milk owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Rain or Shine co-owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que and Barako Bull’s George Chua have confirmed their attendance.

“I see it (the meeting) as an affirmation of their strong interest and concern to see to it that the PBA goes to the next level in living up to expectation of fans,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

“This is a positive message of their commitment to make the PBA more attractive and more accessible to broader and younger fans base,” Salud added.

Salud said the meeting was set on common move by the Commissioner’s Office and the team owners to eventually resolve lingering concerns and issues.

“Specific resolutions have to be made. I think they are interested in resolving these issues now to set directions how the league will move forward,” said Salud.

The league commissioner mentioned the on-and-off PBA coliseum plan.

“It’s been on the table for a long time. It has to be resolved. Do we pigeonhole it? Or do we go through with it?” he said.

Salud hinted the TV contract is the most important topic.

“The matter of who will cover the PBA is crucial and vital because they will be the marketing partner of the PBA. The front office is tasked to improve the product which is the game, then we need to have a good marketing partner,” Salud explained.

The PBA is now entertaining prospective new coveror since Solar Sports has announced it will be out at the end of its current contract in August.

“The next coveror should have the experience, the resources and the capabilities. On these merits, the owners will choose the PBA marketing partner maybe for the next five years,” said Salud.

The STAR source said TV5 has already been talking with the PBA.

The question is where it plans to air PBA games since they have existing regular primetime shows.

Speculations are ripe TV5 will buy airtime either at NBN-4 or IBC-13 for the PBA games telecast.