With outgoing PBA Commissioner Chito Salud about to step down, six potential successors have been named.
Of the six, one is so close to the game, he’s still playing.
PBA Chairman Patrick Gregorio announced that veteran big man Danny Seigle headlined the list of potential PBA Commissioners that will replace Salud.
Other candidates are lawyer and sports commentator Charlie Cuna, UFC Asia consultant Mark Fisher, Commissioner Filsports Basketball Association Vince Hizon, PBA Operations Director Rickie Santos, and Jay Adelen, founder of National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.
Aiding the PBA in its search for a new commissioner is Global Executive Solutions.
Ray Canilao, CEO of Global Executive Solutions, bared one essential factor in choosing the next commissioner.
“He must love basketball.”
The PBA and Global Executive Solutions put four criteria to help determine the next commissioner, time and commitment, technical capability, stature and personality, and leadership.
Canilao said the new commissioner should “understand officiating” and has the time and commitment to attend games on a seven-day basis.
“A person who can deal with owners, coaches, deal with the board of governors, deal with the players, deal with the technical people and the referees,” Canilao said.
Seigle’s inclusion on the list was based on his technical know-how of the game, and it also helps that The Dynamite has been in the league for 16 years.
“He understands the strengths and weaknesses, he loves basketball, he understands the technical side of the game, he can deal with coaches,” Gregorio said.
Originally, the shortlist had seven candidates, but the seventh pulled due to time constraints.
Salud said that there were candidates who were picked for the job and others who directly applied for the position.
He added that the interviews usually lasted six hours for each candidate, which included former governors and former players.