COST will definitely have a major say on whether the PBA will be pushing through with its planned bubble or not for the 2020 season.
PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said they will be looking at the financial state of the league to see if it can sustain the high cost of a bubble season or if will need fresh infusion of funds from member teams as well as sponsors.
The object, he added, is to pull off the bubble in a cost-efficient manner once it is held at either the Araneta Center in Cubao, the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba Laguna, Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga or some other venue willing to take it in.
“Ang isa pang problema diyan more than the site and the bubble option is ‘yung financials,” said Vargas during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum. “Kasi sa NBA, ang sumagot ng lahat niyan is the NBA. I think they spent $180 million for a shortened conference of two months.”
“We will have to look at our own financials kung kayang sagutin ng PBA ‘yan or will it be shared with the teams. These are the important issues that we have to be discussed in the board,” said Vargas.
Vargas admitted the PBA may not be capable of spending for the bubble by itself, and may have to look for sponsors in order to defray the cost of mounting the games and housing the players in one hotel or dormitory.
PBA insiders estimate that each team will spend between P3 million to 5 million for accommodation and food a month in a bubble set-up. There's also the high cost of mounting the games in one venue for television.
“That is why I said the financial aspect of doing a bubble is very important. All these options will have to be presented to the team. Kung ganyan ang halaga, I’m not sure if the PBA can pay for that totally," said Vargas.
The extra cost may not sit well with some teams, especially since all the ballclubs have been paying the salaries of players in full since the onset of the pandemic.
"As it is, stretched na ang financials ng PBA. Remember, it’s been five months or going on six months that we have been supporting the PBA operations without revenue coming in. It’s important that this is all discussed among the members of the board,” said Vargas.
“Alam mo, meron din namang mas murang option. The option of Inspire is not as expensive as the hotels that are in Cubao. Food and lodging are very expensive as well. Hopefully, we can get sponsors to help us out. They will be able to defray the cost,” said Vargas.
Aside from cost of accommodations, Vargas said the task of keeping a safe environment inside the bubble will also be costly.
The regular testing of players will entail a huge cost.
“‘Yung NBA din has strict protocols in the bubble. Almost everyday tine-test sila bago maglaro. We need to take a look at that seriously when we start playing,” said Vargas.
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