Some fans’ fantasies about ticket sales for the PBA have run wild at the sight of the crowd that descended on the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on Sunday for Game 7 of the Barangay Ginebra-Bay Area playoffs.

The official figure of a record-breaking high 54,589 was released, which, when the projections beginning at P36 million and upward were announced, suddenly seemed very much credible.

The numbers we received in response to our inquiries about the official gate receipts were far lower than most predictions.

According to an informant, Game 7’s ticket sales brought in “between P10 and P12 million.”

Why is it so much lower?

First off, the insider noted that tickets for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship game cost significantly less than those for concerts featuring both domestic and international acts that were staged in the same enormous facility.

While concertgoers must spend five figures to witness those well-known foreign performers live, Game 7 tickets only cost P1,300 for Courtside A and P70 for General Admission/Upper Box.

When you factor in taxes to be paid to the government, a little portion to the Games and Amusement Board (GAB), and the rental of the Philippine Arena, that total revenue— however small — will nonetheless decrease.

And, before you start posting rude comments on social media, remember that none of the money the league makes from sponsorships, ticket sales, and TV deals goes to the Commissioner’s Office.

One insider refers to the PBA office as merely a “clearing house,” asserting that all league income merely passes through there before being distributed to the teams. However, not equally since their share of the proceeds from ticket sales depends on the results of the games they win and lose throughout the season, although it is another point of a story. 

Another insider claimed that the board only allocates a specific sum to the budget for the Commissioner’s Office’s daily operations.