UAAP to evaluate broadcast partnership with ABS-CBN


League to consider new TV carrier, 'choose what is for the best interest of the UAAP community'
UAAP OPENING
The UAAP will conclude and evaluate its negotiations with broadcast partner ABS-CBN after the House junked the franchise bid of the media giant. (MB Photo / Jansen Romero)

The UAAP will conclude and evaluate its negotiations on extending broadcast partnership with ABS-CBN after their previous deal expired last May 31.

UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag said they have to “choose what is for the best interest of the UAAP community” after recent developments with the TV network where a House Committee denied its franchise renewal Friday afternoon.

READ: House junks ABS-CBN franchise bid

“(The UAAP will) proceed as planned: conclude negotiations, evaluate,” Saguisag said when contacted by Manila Bulletin.

Saguisag added the league is also not closing doors on “considering other parties, if necessary.”

Partners since 2000, they extended their deal in 2014 with ABS-CBN providing additional coverages on other sports apart from basketball, volleyball and cheerdance.

Their broadcast deal expired at the end of Season 82 a few months ago.

“We commiserate with our long-time partner, but this is ultimately a business decision that the Board will have to make using their best judgment,” Saguisag said.

The UAAP has more time to prepare and evaluate after Season 83 was pushed to the first quarter of 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The league still intends to hold a full calendar schedule for the next season despite the global health crisis, which crippled the sporting world.

“We have an obligation to these athletes and right now, we’re just doing our best on laying down plans on how to make it work,” Saguisag said in an earlier interview.

The league is leaning towards starting the season in the first quarter of 2021, squeezing in all 15 sports in “Southeast Asian Games-style” where all events are held simultaneously.

RELATED: NCAA to wait for ABS-CBN’s action after House junks franchise bid

Another plan is to hold centerpiece and crowd-drawing sports like basketball and volleyball inside a smaller venue without an audience.

At the moment, the league is monitoring government protocols not only in holding sporting events but also on the school calendar year.

Volleyball stars, meantime, were furious and made known their displeasure on Twitter.

Former Ateneo ace spiker Alyssa Valdez said the decision of the Congress was “unbelievable” while Gretchen Ho, a former Ateneo star turned ABS-CBN TV host, said: To all the kids, take note. May this day inspire in all of us a stronger call to serve and to fight injustice.