SBP to sit down with UAAP to address referee pay gap issue

MANILA, Philippines — The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has initiated a dialogue with the UAAP regarding the supposed pay gap for referees calling the men’s and women’s games in the collegiate league.

The SBP, in a statement Saturday morning, said they have reached out with the UAAP for a dialogue “on how to improve the situation for all stakeholders.”

“Both organizations stay committed to making the sport as inclusive as possible and advancing women’s basketball in the Philippines,” the SBP said.

UAAP basketball commissioner Jai Reyes has been in hot water the past week after a story by sports news website Spin.ph revealed a “pay gap” between referees calling men’s and women’s games.

The report bared that “referees assigned to women’s games allegedly received reduced rates, with the supposed cuts diverted to boost the pay of those handling men’s matches,” with those calling men’s matches receiving P3,000 per game, while those in the boys’ division given P2,500 per game.

Last season, referees who call games regardless of division are paid P2,500.

Those who will call the women’s and girls’ divisions games will reportedly receive P2,000 per contest.

Speaking to the news website, Reyes said that the men’s games are “faster” so it is harder to call.

This received a lot of backlash from players, coaches, fans and even some politicians.

The UAAP then explained that the referees’ fees follow a “tiered, merit-based structure that allows officials – regardless of gender – to perform well in order to officiate crucial games.”

The UAAP said that it will maintain a tiered system, but moving forward, there will “be no diminution of fees across all divisions from previous seasons.”

The SBP also called on stakeholders to “stay united.”

“We can only elevate Philippine basketball to its highest levels if we grow it for everyone,” it added.

UAAP action returns this Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.