The PBA is actively exploring the possibility of expanding its current lineup of 12 teams in the well-established 48-year-old basketball league. Commissioner Willie Marcial recently shared that the PBA is regularly approached by different companies expressing their interest in forming new teams.
During the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum, Marcial revealed that a couple of parties have shown serious interest in joining, but he refrained from disclosing their identities at this point.
The existing roster of PBA teams includes prominent names like San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra, Magnolia, Northport, Terrafirma, TNT, Meralco, NLEX, Blackwater, Rain Or Shine, Converge, and Phoenix. Additionally, the Chun Yu Bay Area Dragons have participated as a guest team in a single conference during a season.
Expanding the number of teams is under consideration, with Marcial indicating that feasibility hinges on the availability of broadcasting days for the league's games. He emphasized that potential expansion would need to align with broadcast partners' capacity and willingness to cover an expanded schedule.
In terms of television coverage, PBA games have historically been televised on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, featuring two games on each of these days. Marcial indicated that the expansion to 14 or 16 teams could be on the table if suitable broadcasting arrangements can be made.
The PBA last underwent expansion in 2014, when the league grew from 10 to 12 teams by welcoming KIA (now Terrafirma) and Blackwater. As the PBA contemplates the potential addition of new teams, various factors, including broadcasting logistics, will play a pivotal role in shaping the league's future landscape.
I am all in for adding teams in the league. It is just hard for me to see the MVP group and the SMC group to facilitate another farm team. So, there is a very big chance that the expansion teams will be independent squads.
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