I’ve long been hearing that PBA Commissioner Noli Eala has been talking with different television networks – among them NBN 4, IBC 13 and RPN 9, for the coverage of the games.
Up to now, however, no deal has been finalized with any of the TV stations mentioned, including incumbent coverer ABC 5.
It could be panic time, considering that the contract with the current franchise holder expires at the end of the month, which is only a little more than two weeks away.
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ABC Marketing Services manager Winston dela Cruz, who I bumped into recently at the Araneta Coliseum during the games, gave the assurance that his station is still very much interested in the PBA television franchise.
At that late hour however, renegotiations between ABC and the PBA had yet to be started.
Winston made it clear that his company owed nothing to the PBA and is in fact paid up till the end of February.
"We’ve gone all out for the PBA, we gave it our best effort. Definitely we want to continue covering the games if the PBA still wants us,’’ he said.
Even if the network is having marketing problems, according to several sources in the industry, and there is an ongoing dispute as to who owes who which I can’t fully understand.
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From what I gathered, Noli’s talks with the different TV stations have been fruitless so far.
NBN 4 general manager Joey Isabelo, whose network has the widest and farthest reach nationwide, has offered only airtime and equipment which are brand new and state-of-the-art coming from France this July.
Joey didn’t want to touch production and marketing.
As for IBC 13, while officials of the station has had initial talks with Eala, the network is hesitant to go on a joint venture once again with the PBA for some reasons which had something to do with the financial dispute with Channel 5 where IBC 13 is also involved.
Besides, according to IBC Chairman Popoy Juico, his station couldn’t provide the 20-hour a week primetime the league needed.
Eala has also been reportedly holding talks with Mia Concio who is now president and CEO of RPN 9, but we have no word on how the discussions have prospered.
Today, the PBA board meets to tackle a late proposal presented by ABC 5 which initially was only offering airtime. ABC has offered
R120 million for the PBA franchise with 60 percent guarantee, good for three conferences.
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Last Wednesday, word leaked out at the Araneta Coliseum pressroom that the motion for reconsideration filed by the PBA has been denied by the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City.
There was also a report that the same court was giving Commissioner Eala five days to explain why he should not be cited for contempt after he ignored the court order lifting Talk ’N Text cager Asi Taulava’s suspension.
So far, the official documents have not been released by the courts but since this is only a matter of time, from what we’re told, the question is, will Talk ’N Text be able to reclaim the forfeited Game One which they won with Asi Taulava actively playing?
No one could answer for sure, not Talk ’N Text nor Commissioner Eala, who was asked the same question by members of the media.
If it is so indicated in the court order denying the appeal, Noli told the press boys, he would abide.
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As of presstime yesterday, I was still trying to verify a text message coming from PBA media bureau Dave Coros that read: "We are sad to inform you that former Shell team manager Bobby Villarosa died of a heart attack Thursday, Feb. 10. Please pray for his soul and console his family.’’
The message was texted by former PBA governor for Ginebra Ber Navarro to Inquirer’s Recah Trinidad who, in turn, texted it to Coros.
Our condolence to the family Bobby left behind.
