But no team has imposed pay cuts on players and staff
By Nicole Ganglani | Photo by Tristan Tamayo/Inquirer Sports
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) hasn’t been spared from the financial strains hounding all sectors of society due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Since the league was suspended on Mar. 11, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said that the league is losing P30 million a month.
Zero ticket sales and earnings from television and sponsorships were cited as the primary reasons for the losses. Marcial also said that the league has been paying its employees during quarantine, spending more than earning in the past two months.
“Malaki ang nawala. Alam natin sakripisyo naman ‘to. ‘Di naman natin kagustuhan ‘to. Sobrang naapektuhan ang PBA. Parang lahat ng negosyo naapektuhan, parang mapipilayan. Ganun din ang nararamdaman ng PBA,” says Marcial in an online press conference reported by TV5.espn. “Wala kaming sinisisi. Wala kaming tinuturo. Ganun talaga. Kahit ‘yung ibang malalaking negosyo, tinatamaan talaga.”
Apart from the league’s savings, team owners and governors are also helping the PBA: No team has imposed pay cuts on players and staff.
The PBA management has also reached out to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases for clearance to resume team practices. Marcial mentioned that the PBA has also come up with safety rules in accordance with the Department of Health.
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