PBA out to broaden fan base through web
SEOUL – The Philippine Basketball Association is looking to improve its social media outlets and soon introduce new digital apps in an effort to reach out to more Filipino basketball fans either abroad or anywhere in the world.
Even PBA fans riding in busses, jeepneys and trains are on the PBA radar.
The PBA takes new avenues to reach more fans under new league chairman Mikee Romero, the GlobalPort team owner and 1Pacman party list representative in Congress.
“Look at the NBA, the NFL and baseball’s Major League. They’re all heading to China which is a hundred million market. For us, I think we have to broaden our base by trying to reach our OFWs. People in busses, jeepneys and in LRT watch video livestream. We have to tap that venue,” said Romero.
“The PBA has become like a rollercoaster, sometimes experiencing stagnancy. It’s not gaining phenomenal rise. We have to prime it, and I think social media are means. We should stretch out our hands and open new avenues,” Romero added.
PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa said some apps are already in place and they will try to boost it.
“Sabi nga ni chairman andyan na yan. I-push nyo na ng husto,” said Narvasa.
“We’ve actually started it, and it shows that the popularity of the PBA is really high. When I came in, our Facebook account had 1.5 million followers. It’s now 3.2 million. Our Twitter followers have increased from 100,000 to 250,000 and our Instagram page followers have increased to 152,000 from 30,000,” Narvasa added.
“The question now is how do you monetized that. The answer is there. We just have to sit down and we’ll find the answer,” Narvasa also said
Narvasa said they’re in the process on improving the league’s own website.
“The present generation is very impatient. They want to know right away what’s going on,” said Narvasa.
“I was asking the commissioner, how much is our money. I want our social media, PBA apps to get a higher budget. I want our games seen live around the world through the net,” said Romero.
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