The sports arm of media giant ABS-CBN will halt its operations following the denial of the network’s renewal of franchise by the House of Representatives.
Head of Integrated Sports Dino Laurena confirmed the inevitable news Thursday afternoon after he met the team through an online conference.
“I made the painful announcement to our beloved sports team today. I’ve been on this road before and I assure you, it is not something I will swear even on people that I don’t like. It is hearth-wrenchingly painful,” Laurena wrote on his Facebook account.
More than 70 employees will be retrenched from the sports division of the network. It included the production crew, the digital team, writers, editors, camera men, hosts and commentators.
The broadcast giant earlier announced that it is set to lay off about 70 percent of its entire staff.
ABS-CBN Sports was home to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and National Collegiate Athletic Association. It also aired the matches of the National Basketball Association, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League and Premier Volleyball League.
Without an official broadcaster, the leagues, especially the UAAP and NCAA, will have find new partners.
Image credits: AP/Aaron Favila
1 comment