The historic assumption of lawyer Chito Salud as PBA’s first-ever President and Chief Executive Officer is apparently short lived.
Salud yesterday released a statement disclosing his intention to step down just nine months after accepting the post during the league’s annual All-Star festivities in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
“I have formally and respectfully signified my intention to step down as President/CEO of the PBA effective at the end of December 2015,” said Salud.
“The organizational structure of the PBA as we have envisaged is already in place,” he said.
The 53-year-old Salud became the eighth commissioner of the PBA and served the league as its top honcho from August 2010 up to February 2015.
Less than a month after resigning as league commissioner, Salud was offered and eventually accepted the role as President/CEO, a position that was newly-created by the league as it aims to delegate the corporate aspect outside of the commissioner’s office.
Former coach and banker Chito Narvasa was then named the new commissioner and was expected to work hand in hand with Salud in leading the league to greater heights until the recent development.
“It is for these reasons that I believe the time is right for me to move on, confident as I am that I have already made my modest contributions to the critical transition into this current PBA season,” said Salud.
It was under Salud’s watch that the PBA broke attendance records and expanded the number of teams from 10 to the current 12 ballclubs. (Dennis Principe)