Sports analysts: Pacquiao TV switch a ‘business’ move

MANILA, Philippines –Sports analysts consider Manny Pacquiao’s decision to get a new media partner for his fights despite an existing contract with Solar Entertainment Corporation as a purely “business move." Sadly, though, it was one that supposedly tramples upon other parties’ rights. “Huwag nating kalimutan na ang kontratang ito is simply about money – money for the coverage of the fights of Manny Pacquiao, the rights to promote, the TV rights," boxing analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino said Thursday in 24 Oras. Veteran scribe Eddie Alinea shared Tolentino’s view. “Manny considers boxing as business, which is tama naman dahil nagpapabasag siya ng mukha diyan, nagpapasuntok sa katawan. Kailangan kumita din siya pero dapat sana, wala siyang masasaktang tao," he said in the same report. Alinea was referring to Solar Entertainment Corporation, with which Pacquiao has a license-agreement for his fights until May 6, 2011. The 30-year-old boxing superstar, however, rescinded the said contract citing failure on the part of Solar to fulfill its obligation to pay license fee. He forged a new partnership with ABS-CBN reportedly after getting a more lucrative offer. Solar did not take this sitting down and announced it was suing Pacquiao and ABS-CBN with breach and tortuous interference, respectively. “Bottom line diyan is rights of some people have been violated," Alinea said. The veteran analyst noted that such action is no longer new from Pacquiao. He recalled that previously, Pacquiao signed a promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions and accepted goodwill money then turned his back on the pact to join GBP’s rival, Top Rank, and returned the money. The case reached the courts and was only settled when GBP officials led by Oscar De La Hoya and Top Rank boss Bob Arum agreed to share promotional rights for the Pac Man. –GMANews.TV