Air21 faces uphill battle as PBA board discusses 'name change' issue

MANILA, Philippines - A majority of the Philippine Basketball Association board expressed doubt that Air21 has the right to change its name, as the team representatives convene for a special meeting on Monday to discuss Air21's intent to use the Burger King brand next conference. Six of the team representatives think Air21's proposal isn't simply a matter of changing names, saying Burger King is a new team altogether. "From my initial reading and understanding of this issue, Burger King is a new member and must be subjected to the franchise fee of P70 million," said Coca-Cola board representative JB Baylon. "The original franchise fee is with Air21, the company not with individual owner. I think it is irrelevant whether Bert Lina is 51-percent or 49-percent owner of Burger King," Baylon added, referring to the Air21 owner who owns a majority stake of Burger King under Lina's Lina Heim Corporate Services. PBA chairman Joaqui Trillo of Alaska called for the special meeting to deliberate the process of Air21's intention to go by the name of Burger King in the coming Fiesta Conference. PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said that Air21's request is "not that simple" to resolve, with the team representatives expected to probe whether Burger King is at least 33-percent owned by Air21 100 Inc., Lina's holding firm when it entered the league in 2002. Under the PBA rules, the holding firm can change the names of its PBA team if the new brand name is under the umbrella company, such as the case when San Miguel became Magnolia last season. "Obviously, hindi naman product brand ng Air21 100, Inc. ang Burger King," said Barrios. "But at the same time, Air21 100 Inc. should show documentation that they have a 33.3 percent share of Burger King and the ownership structure." Barrios said it may take beyond Monday to resolve the issue. - GMANews.TV