PBA BOARD APPROVES SALE OF AIR21 FRANCHISE TO NLEX
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 26 Jun 2014
Pangilinan.
The PBA board of governors has approved the sale of the Air 21 franchise to Nlex which was originally accepted as one of three expansion teams, the others being Blackwater and Kia Motors.
PBA chairman Mon Segismundo of Meralco told the Manila Standard that ?the sale was approved by the board? after Air21 and Nlex had agreed on the terms which have not been divulged.
Segismundo said Nlex would now only have to pay the PBA what he described as ?a small transfer fee? for the acquisition of the Air21 franchise.
The Manila Standard first broke the story weeks ago about the negotiations between Nlex whose president is Ramon Fernandez (not the four-time former MVP) and Air21 governor and former chairman Lito Alvarez who told us then, they would consider selling the franchise ?if the price is right.?
When we asked Alvarez what an acceptable price would be, he said ?anywhere between P200-P300 million? pointing out that the newcomer would acquire a ?very competitive team? and that Manny Pangilinan who will now have three teams in the PBA, the others being Talk N? Text and Meralco ?wanted a competitive team.?
Unable to get any meaningful concessions from the PBA board such as directly elevating the core of its DLeague champion team, Nlex president Fernandez told us they would explore the possibility of acquiring the franchise of one of the current ten teams, rather than pay a franchise fee of P100 million and become a whipping boy of the other current pro league squads.
Pangilinan himself told the Standard the P100 million franchise fee was ?exorbitant? and the so-called concessions made by the PBA board of protecting twelve players from each team was ?ridiculous.?
With the current Air21 line-up and the possibility of recruiting a couple of talented rookies in the Annual Draft before the start of the next conference, Nlex under coach Franz Pumaren would satisfy Pangilinan?s desire to have a competitive team.
In real terms Pangilinan would now, on paper at least, match the three teams that officially belong to the San Miguel Corporation franchise.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Oklahoma Pulls Away From Indiana, 123-107; Ties Finals Series, 1-all
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 09 Jun 2025Mason Storm: Abdullah Butchers Nakathila in Norfolk Showcase
Sun, 08 Jun 2025Return of the comeback
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 08 Jun 2025MANNY PACQUIAO IN CANASTOTA, NY (PHOTOS)
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 08 Jun 2025Introducing The Spartan Series: Vegas Fight Experience — Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
Sun, 08 Jun 2025RESULTS FROM TONIGHT’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” PRESENTED BY SALITA PROMOTIONS & ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT LIVE ON DAZN AT THE TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO
Sat, 07 Jun 2025Davis vs De Los Santos: The Fight That Never Was
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 07 Jun 20252 Filipino grandmasters join Touchmove chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 07 Jun 2025Keyshawn Davis Fight Canceled After Weight Miss, Mason-Nakathila Elevated to Main Event
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 07 Jun 2025Eumir Marcial Set to Battle Alexis Gaytán in Pacquiao's Comeback Show
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 07 Jun 2025SUNDAY: Fabio Turchi-Milans Volkovs Cruiserweight Showdown Headlines Italy Fight Card LIVE in the U.S. on ESPN+
Sat, 07 Jun 2025Bomogao KOs Rubio in 1st round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 07 Jun 2025REYES CUP SET FOR ELECTRIFYING RETURN TO MANILA, OCTOBER 16–19
Sat, 07 Jun 2025King's Promotions June 19th Card at Wind Creek Event Center is Postponed Card Rescheduled for September 5th
Sat, 07 Jun 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 7 - AMATEUR BOXING CAREER OF MUHAMMAD ALI
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 06 Jun 2025