Dino Laurena, head of ABS CBN Integrated Sports, confirmed the move to shut down its Sports + Action arm in an unofficial Facebook message.
“I made the painful announcement to our beloved Sports team today. I've been on this road before and I can assure you, it on people I don't like. It is heart-wrenchingly painful,” wrote Laurena in an unofficial statement on his wall.
With the fate of S+A, the production team behind the television coverage of numerous sports events are expected to be affected.
And this will include, the coming 83rd season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, Season 96 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League and the Premier Volleyball League, among others.
“In each of their eyes, I saw the eyes of their loved ones… I tried to hold back my tears as I hoped to be strong and give them comfort. I pray that God give us the grace to weather the challenges that we will all face in the coming days,” added Laurena.
Over 70 regular employees from S+A will be affected.
More layoffs from within the network are expected to take place following the non-renewal of the ABS CBN franchise by congress last week.
The network is now implementing a retrenchment program that will take effect by Aug. 31.
“We are doing all we can to mitigate the pain that will be felt by those affected,” said network officials in an unofficial disclosure.
