Career-wise, I only have two, very different dream jobs. It's one or the other. On one hand, being a trial court judge and, on the other, being the first female PBA Commissioner. The first one is fairly predictable to achieve. After talking to people who've done it and achieved more, there is somewhat a track, a certain path to walk, that would lead straight to judgeship. I'm slowly starting on that path, guided by the best people in the Judiciary.
My second dream job, however, entails having the right connections in a male-dominated world--even much more male-dominated than law. Never has there been a female PBA Commissioner. I can only recall one or two female PBA governors, and no female PBA coach--whether assistant or head. Overall, basketball is a difficult sport and industry to get into, moreso, be successful in, for a woman. And I want to change that.
But, I have to be realistic. Being a PBA governor and Commissioner is a tall order. And I may not achieve that with the way things are going in my life right now (especially since I'm starting on the path to my first dream job).
So, in the off-chance that the next PBA Commissioner, male or female, or a member of his/her staff would read this, here are my suggestions to make a better, more successful Philippine Basketball Association (PBA):
1. Create a PBA Store. The PBA is longest professional basketball league in Asia. The best of the best come here to play. Thousands, hundreds of fans follow the league, their favorite players. Yet, if one asks, where can I get a legit San Mig Coffee Marc Pingris jersey? There's no "official" PBA store or supplier that makes PBA merchandise. (Or if there is, the seller is not as publicized.) Hence, the proliferation of online sellers of replicas or sub-standard items. We have the best basketball fans in the world yet the Association fails to tap merchandise sales as a source of revenue for the league. I envision a one-stop shop where fans can go to for their PBA needs--from players' jerseys, personalized jerseys, shirts, tumblers, caps. You name it, the PBA Store has it for you.
2. Create and maintain a PBA website. This may seem simple or even elementary, considering the world we live in today. But, the PBA does not have an official, regularly updated, well-maintained website. A site where a basketball fan wanting to learn everything there is about the PBA, could. From team/player information, game schedules, ticket purchase, stats, features. Currently, Sports5 is doing it for the league. However, based on the history of the Association, media partnership has always been temporary or shaky. TV5 has done wonders for the Association in terms of accessibility (I can't remember the last game I watched on an actual TV set) but considering how political the PBA is, it would be best to have its own website, in case the TV5 media deal doesn't pan out in the future.
Also, another important addition to this website is the Transparency Page. Philippine government offices are mandated to have a Transparency Page in their official websites. I envision the PBA to have one, too. Where fans, players, coaches, management or anyone for matter can access the myth that is the PBA Rulebook. No one I know has actually seen it. Not even the players. I doubt it even exists. So, to settle doubts like mine, it is in the best interest of the league to have such Rulebook published and made accessible. So players would know what rules they're violating or will violate. That's called due process. Look it up, it's in our Constitution.
Also, another important addition to this website is the Transparency Page. Philippine government offices are mandated to have a Transparency Page in their official websites. I envision the PBA to have one, too. Where fans, players, coaches, management or anyone for matter can access the myth that is the PBA Rulebook. No one I know has actually seen it. Not even the players. I doubt it even exists. So, to settle doubts like mine, it is in the best interest of the league to have such Rulebook published and made accessible. So players would know what rules they're violating or will violate. That's called due process. Look it up, it's in our Constitution.
3. Develop an application or video game like the NBA 2K. Every basketball fan wants to be their idol, whether on a real court or on an animated one. Yet the PBA, with its traditional view of revenue-generation (ticket sales and TV advertisements), fails to tap a potentially viable resource in video game sales. Currently, I only know of PBA Slam!, a mobile application which allows the users to play 3-on-3. But, not all PBA players are available, and it's not as sophisticated as the NBA 2K. I know for a fact that there's an unofficial, modified version of the NBA 2K program that features PBA players, PBA teams and even the Araneta Coliseum. If fans can create a modified version for free, I'm sure the PBA could pay people to create an official version with better quality.
4. Build its own PBA Arena or Coliseum. With the increased revenue from merchandise and video game sales and online advertisements, the PBA can now generate and save enough money for the construction of its own Arena or Coliseum. I can only guess how much the Association pays for renting out venues such as the Araneta, MOA, Philsports/Ultra and the like. Having its own place, the Association would have independence to schedule games and decide ticket prices. Maybe the PBA could sell Season Passes or Conference Passes at a discounted rate.
5. Establish an empowered PBA Players' Union. Finally, the Association has to understand that for it to survive for another 40 years or more, it has to take care not only of its fans but also of its players. The league is nothing without the players--who fans idolize and willingly pay to support, either in ticket or merchandise sales. The recent hulabaloo with Mahindra not signing or paying a handful of players with existing contracts from the previous team, Kia Sorento, showed us how vulnerable players are. Like a normal laborer, they toil with their bodies, day in, day out, to earn a living. They play with their hearts out and train with all seriousness, sometimes to the point of over-exertion, to put food on the table and clothes on their families backs, and to send their children or siblings to school. Yet their employment security is not given priority. Having a respected player's union, headed by a player with great bargaining power (maybe Junemar Fajardo?), will ensure that players' rights are protected. This is, after all, a high-risk profession.
I envision a better PBA--an independent, transparent and responsive Association that takes care of its fans, players and investors. This is easier said than done but with the right Commissioner leading the league, this is not impossible. That person may not necessarily be me, but regardless of that, as a die-hard fan, I would be content seeing these developments happen for a league that is very close to my heart.
