PBA revenues to pick up

OSAKA – It won’t be easy to surpass or even match the record revenues registered during the PBA’s 47th season where three conferences were held and Ginebra battled guest team Bay Area in Game Seven of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals before 54,589 fans at the Philippine Arena. The count went over P200 million in net operating income.

The PBA Board of Governors reviewed revenues earned last season and set targets for next during the annual planning meeting at the Swissotel Nankai Hotel here last weekend. PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said with the 48th season reduced to two conferences to give way to Gilas’ international commitments and the FIBA World Cup, net revenues took a drop to P114 million. For the coming season, Vargas said the goal is to earn P183 million or about 60 percent of the 47th season total.

Gate receipts also dipped from P135 million in the 47th season to P79 million. This season, the expectation is gate receipts will bump up to over P100 million. Vargas reported that even as there were less games with only two conferences last season, in-venue advertisements delivered P45 million and at least a five percent increase is estimated this campaign at no risk.

“We aim to increase gate receipts,” said Vargas. “We want to make it more fun in a venue where friends will bring in friends to enjoy the game experience. We intend to engage the fans, conduct draws for ticket holders to get the chance to meet players, take photos and even participate in press conferences. We’ll focus on interaction, something fans won’t be able to enjoy if they’re not in the venue.”

Another topic that the Board discussed was expansion. PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said there is interest from at least four entities to join the league and now, it’s a matter of formalizing entry. He confirmed deals in the pipeline but converting to delivery remains in the works. The PBA Board is open to the option of expansion, particularly as more and more talent becomes available every year in the draft.

Vargas said the planning meeting was the “most taxing” ever but also the “most fruitful.”

“Everyone participated, reacted to proposals, made suggestions and commented on issues,” he said". It was even difficult to take CR breaks because the discussions were so engaging. We even went as far as taking up plans for the 50th anniversary with 80 percent of the discussion focused on the future.”