PBA to decide on TV rights

The PBA board of governors convenes today at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City, hoping to finally come up with a decision whom to entrust the league’s TV rights starting next season.

The board is expected to have weighed its options more circumspectly, having gotten reports from AC Nielsen, which the league commissioned to look into the strengths of Studio 23 and RPN-9.

ABS-CBN and Solar Sports are two outfits with offers to take over from ABC-5 as the exclusive coveror of the PBA games. ABS-CBN is offering Studio 23 (with replays at ABS-CBN 2) while Solar Sports is presenting RPN-9 as partner to televise the PBA games.

The PBA has departed from its old bidding process where prospective bidders are given equal time and opportunity to present their respective bids.

ABS-CBN has been given the first crack in this case.

Apparently, the Lopez network offered a four-year package with the option to sign a three-year contract-extension at the end of the initial deal.

Solar Sports, meanwhile, is looking for a straight-up, three-year contract.

Around P160 million is reportedly being offered by both outfits for the 2008-09 season.

Meanwhile, league commissioner Sonny Barrios had a meeting with team captains of the PBA ballclubs Wednesday, discussing the PBA Players Trust Fund.

They’re looking for more fund-raising projects to enhance their bank account which supports scholarship of PBA players’ kids.

Subject to the approval of the PBA board, a college scholar can avail a maximum of P50,000 per school year starting next year. A high school student is eligible for P35,000.

Alvin Patrimonio and Jojo Lastimosa, formerly signatories of the trust fund checks, have been nominated as consultants of the group. Now among the signatories are Olsen Racela and Jeffrey Cariaso.

The PBA generated for the trust fund more or less P2 million in the PBA Ateneo-La Salle exhibition game plus a share of around P800,000 in the recent All-Star festivities in Bacolod.  – Nelson Beltran