By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Media giant ABS-CBN just made one of the toughest decisions it had to make after the non-renewal of the station’s franchise.
The Sports+Action channel, popularly known as S+A, will be permanently terminated by ABS-CBN with an estimated 70 regular employees losing their jobs from the camera crew, researchers, commentators, and the hosts.
The decision was confirmed during ABS-CBN sports division’s online meeting with head of Integrated Sports Dino Laurena, .
“I made the painful announcement to our beloved sports team today. I’ve been on this road before and I can assure you, it is not something I will swear even on people that I don’t like. It is heart-wrenchingly painful,” wrote Laurena’s Facebook post.
With the fortune-changing decision, sports organizations Premier Volleyball League (PVL) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) who had pending contracts with ABS-CBN will have to find a new partner to air their upcoming seasons.
“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 gives us the grace to weather the challenge that we will all face in the coming days,” added Laurena.
