PBA expansion in works

No details were disclosed but PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said the Board of Governors is seriously looking into expansion to ride the wave of the future and with over 120 applicants in the recent draft that went to 11 rounds, the clamor to add more teams is resounding. Vargas revealed the plan which he described as “long-term” during the PBA season-opening press conference at the five-star Diamond Hotel Philippines, Roxas Boulevard the other day.

Over the past few years, at least four companies were rumored to be inquiring about the process of joining the PBA. The pandemic stalled talks but now that conditions are normalizing, the knocking on the PBA’s door is back. Vargas said it was vice-chairman Bobby Rosales who raised the call to grow the PBA’s membership. Vargas agreed with Rosales that the timing is right to explore expansion. Because of limited playing slots, draftable collegiate stars are prioritizing overseas options. With more teams, the comfort level of playing at home will get a boost. Besides, players seeing action abroad will eventually return so expansion will be a welcome development for balik-basketbolistas.

Vargas said bringing the PBA back to pre-pandemic normalcy is a goal although this season, the league will take a one conference cut, leaving out the Governors Cup. Vargas said the reduction will mean a slash in expected revenues but it’s a sacrifice the PBA willingly took for the country. Last season, the PBA registered a record net income of over P200 million with three conferences, including the Commissioner’s Cup where Barangay Ginebra engaged Bay Area in a seven-game final series that set an attendance record of 54,589 in the climax at the Philippine Arena.

“We delayed the start of our 48th season because of the Asian Games,” said Vargas. “And we cut back to two conferences because we wanted maximum preparation time for the FIBA World Cup. After this season, we’ll be back to three conferences. We’re determined to reinvigorate the PBA, get it to where it once was. On the TV side, we’re going back to a prime time live schedule, four to six p.m. and eight to 10 p.m.”

TV5 president/CEO Guido Zaballero said the PBA games will be aired live on the A2Z network which is the flagship property of ZOE in partnership with ABS-CBN. A2Z will be dedicated to everything PBA, not just games but also 3x3 and features. ONE Sports will continue to provide sports content and PBA Rush will remain accessible on pay TV. The Pilipinas Live app of Cignal will make available live feeds of PBA and other games on mobile. The extent of availability is unprecedented and Zaballero said the partnership with A2Z and ABS-CBN will propel the PBA to unimaginable heights.