Many Filipino fans are dismayed by the perceived downfall of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), once Asia's premier play-for-play league, due to its declining gate attendance, lack of team parity, and insufficient and inconsistent media coverage. It has been constantly compared to other basketball leagues in the country owing to its weakness in attracting consistent viewership. Additionally, many Filipino players have been seen leaving the country to play in other countries, sparking a debate about whether the PBA is still the league to be for other aspirants.
It's disheartening to see that the PBA has struggled to keep pace with the needs and wants of the masa. While it's true that they can't always stay on top, big moves must be made to win them back at their helm and regain their sustainability. The key to revitalizing the league lies in simply stepping out of their comfort zone and trying new ways to adapt to the evolving landscape of basketball fandom.
One of the first things the PBA can implement is making ticket prices affordable. Truth be told, no one wants to have fun knowing that they have to spend half of their minimum wage at the same time. In the same breath, fans are less likely to show up when ticket prices force them to just watch the game at home. It's rather disappointing to read social media comments that when a player gets a game-winning goal, the "crowd goals mild" and the chairs were having so much fun.
Basketball is deeply ingrained in our culture, especially among the working class. Instead of prioritizing short-term revenue through high-priced tickets, the PBA should consider a volume-based approach. While it is improbable to entertain free-for-all gaming due to growing league expenses, cheaper tickets can still bring more revenue, as more people will be able to purchase them. For me, a simple application of the law of price and demand will define league support.
Beyond affordability, accessibility also plays a role in rebuilding the PBA’s fanbase. In that regard, the league will benefit more by offering more out-of-town games on the regular. Utilizing this will not only have more fans flocking to local arenas, but it will also create fanbases and rivalries that small-market teams need to keep pace in competition with richer ones. Economically, this will put provincial culture and tourism at a high with this move.
In turn, this change will keep them out of their "Manila-centric," commercial image that has only benefited the urban aesthetic. With wishful thinking in mind, this might be the first step towards regionalization that critics want to see in the league.
Some argue that for the PBA to truly evolve, a complete system overhaul is necessary. While an effort towards regionalization, elimination of "sister teams," or leadership change are good ideals to facilitate such shift, these actions are complicated to be considered in full. League-wide regionalization needs support from local governments and sponsors, and removing the "sister team" system will only look for stable teams that will pay more, if not at par, to keep its stars and staff. Moreover, easily thrashing its key leaders isn't viable when they were the ones bringing great support to our national team, as evident in our showing at the last Asian Games. In short, we can't just get all that we want. After all, enacting change should not be reactionary, but rather progressive and realistic.
The PBA must have their eyes wide open. As a basketball nation, whose life is compared to a shot in a hoop, Filipinos deserve the best treatment of their beloved sport. However, this doesn't necessarily mean making the biggest moves known to man. By taking bold yet practical steps, the PBA can reignite its flame with the fans and reclaim its place as the heart of Filipino basketball.
Article: Mr. Edcel Escaro (Chief Editor)
Photo courtesy of Spin.Ph