Games in the PBA Developmental League will be televised starting October after league commissioner Chito Salud concluded negotiations with Asian Television Content Corporation and Stoplight Media Group for a two-year coverage contract.
Salud sealed the deal with ATC@IBC president Engineer Reynaldo Sanchez and Matthew Yngson, president and CEO of Stoplight Media Group just recently.
Salud said the games will be aired on IBC 13 at primetime on a delayed telecast from 8-11 pm on the same day.
The list of PBA’s young stars who have come from the PBADL are Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee, Alex Nuyles and Raymund Almazan, San Mig Super Coffee’s Alex Mallari and Allein Maliksi and Ian Sangalang, Barako Bull’s Jerick Fortuna and RR Garcia, Meralco’s Cliff Hodge, Ginebra’s Chris Ellis, Globalport’s Terrence Romeo and Alaska’s Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel, Raffy Reyes and Ryan Buenafe.
“We have worked hard to find a network that will not only cover the games but also share our goals and vision for the league. I’m very grateful to Mr. Sanchez and Mr. Yngson for putting their trust and believing that the PBA D-League has lot more to offer than just being a breeding ground for players aspiring to make it to the PBA,” Salud said.
Now on its fifth season, the PBADL is tentatively scheduled to open shop on Oct. 28 with the holding of the Aspirants’ Cup while its second Rookie Draft will be held on Sept. 16.
As this developed, Salud is inviting all companies and corporations interested to participate in the PBADL’s Aspirants’ Cup. All interested parties have until July 30 to submit their letters of intent.