NCAA, ABS-CBN Partnership To End This Season; Mancom Looking For Other Possibilities?

The country's oldest collegiate league is holding discussions with broadcast partner ABS-CBN for a possible contract extension for the next five years, according to Management Committee (mancom) chair Henry Atayde of CSB.

ABS-CBN’s contract with the NCAA expires at the end of the season.

Atayde said the NCAA is looking at a more comprehensive deal with the network giant, including the development of the junior games, the airing of other events, and considerable “adjustments” in franchise fees and the subsidy that the league is getting from the network.

ABS-CBN owns the right of first refusal as specified in the previous contract, but Atayde said the network has expressly agreed that the league can immediately look for a new coveror should the current negotiation fail.

In turn, Atayde said the league has committed to exhaust all possible avenues to ensure the suceess of the negotiations with ABS-CBN. He admitted, though, that the NCAA has already received feelers from TV5.

After the meeting last Tuesday, the negotiating panel from both sides will go back to their principals, who will finally decide whether to extend the contract or part ways beginning next season.

source: Olmin Leyba, PS