Profile of a candidate

There may be as many as 10 candidates aspiring to succeed Chito Salud as PBA commissioner. PBA chairman Patrick Gregorio said the criteria for selection will be determined by the Board of Governors in a meeting on Thursday. The candidates may include applicants if the PBA decides to open the doors to anyone interested to throw his or her hat in the derby. Otherwise, the process will be strictly by invitation. The next commissioner will be named at the end of the Commissioner’s Cup.

Since the league’s inception in 1975, there have been eight commissioners. Leo Prieto was the founding commissioner. Next in the line of succession was Col. Mariano Yenko then came Atty. Rudy Salud, Rey Marquez, Jun Bernardino, Noli Eala, Sonny Barrios and finally, Chito Salud who will retire at the end of this season. The turnover isn’t as dramatic in the NBA which started in 1946 and has been ruled by only five commissioners from Maurice Podoloff to Walter Kennedy to Larry O’Brien to David Stern and now, to Adam Silver.

Candidates must be forewarned that this isn’t a glamor job. Serving as PBA commissioner requires undivided attention, meaning it’s a full-time occupation. You can’t treat it as a first or second job because it should be the only job. The commissioner is expected to hold office during business hours when it’s a non-game day and attend every single contest wherever it is played.

The job isn’t for anyone with a weak heart. To be sure, it’s stressful. You’re in the public eye and since basketball is the country’s No. 1 sport, everyone has an opinion on how the league should be run. That means the commissioner is always open to scrutiny and criticism – it’s called hazards of the trade.

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Because there are 12 teams in the PBA, the commissioner has to face 12 different governors, some with common owners. Each team has a vested interest. It’s the commissioner’s responsibility that the league is managed on an even keel, that all 12 teams are given a fair shake. The goal is parity or competitive balance. No team should put another at a disadvantage so as to cause inequality. On issues of conflict of interest involving teams, the commissioner must rule to protect the integrity of the league.

Here are 10 qualifications for a suitable candidate as new commissioner:

• History of integrity. The candidate’s reputation must be beyond reproach. His background must be untainted. He must be principled, honest and sincere.           

• Ready to undertake a full-time job. This isn’t a sideline. This is the only line. The next commissioner must be an expert of basketball rules and their interpretation. He must be knowledgeable about the game and the global trends that point the way to the future of the sport.

• Present in every game. The commissioner attends every game and can’t sleep on the job. Whether it’s a blow-out or a cliffhanger, every game must be treated the same way by the commissioner. There are no exceptions to the rule. The commissioner must be wide awake from the start of the season to the end.

• Hands-on management. The commissioner acts like a chief operating officer and may head certain sensitive committees so he has a direct hand in the operations. He may want to be closely involved in officiating matters and expansion issues. In administration, he could be on top of financial affairs. He must know when to centralize and decentralize, when to delegate and when to strike out on his own. He must appreciate the nuances of operating within a corporate environment.

• Commands respect. It isn’t just about charisma, it’s also about earning respect from subordinates, peers and superiors. He must walk the thin line that divides warring factions in the league without tipping over one way or the other. He must enjoy the trust and confidence of the big team owners so that his decisions are seen to be impartial.

• Social conscience. The next commissioner must be socially responsible beyond the league’s confines and shouldn’t be insulated. Because of its far-reaching influence and widespread popularity, the league is in a position to touch the lives of millions.

• Heart for others. The PBA should care for retired players, coaches, officials and staff within the league’s confines. The next commissioner should look out for those who’ve contributed to the growth of the league, moved on and eventually found themselves in a situation of need. At the same time, he should undertake programs to educate current players, coaches, officials and staff on healthy and meaningful living.

• Approachable, accessible. The next commissioner should be open to listen to anyone who has a legitimate concern about the league. His door must always be open to responsible media.

• Willing to give up private life. The next commissioner must realize the job entails the sacrifice of giving up some degree of privacy. It’s not easy to take away quality time from the family but the commissioner’s job may require less privacy to relate more with the public. He can’t shut his mind off work when he goes home. This job is on his shoulders 24/7.

• Strong moral character. Nobody’s perfect and there will be mistakes made along the way. The next commissioner must be mentally tough to own up to errors and bounce back with a resolve to do better. There will be brickbats, harsh words and bashing in social media. He must be ready to face the music and walk the straight path. The key is to know where you’re headed with a clear vision and the right direction.

The Board may add conditions like an age limit or a level of educational attainment or a particular work experience or a field of expertise. Salud’s success as commissioner makes him a tough act to follow so it’s a challenge for his successor to outdo what has been achieved in the last five years.