Walking into the Smart-Araneta Coliseum last Sunday, I could feel that familiar playoff electricity in the air. The place was buzzing with anticipation for Game 6 between San Miguel and TNT—two franchises that have dominated PBA conversations this season. As I watched June Mar Fajardo dominate the paint and Jayson Castro execute those crafty drives, my mind kept circling back to a question that’s been hot in local basketball forums lately: what exactly is the salary of an import in the PBA, and how does it stack up against what our homegrown stars earn? It’s a loaded topic, one that’s layered with league politics, financial constraints, and a whole lot of pride.
Let me paint you a picture using this ongoing Philippine Cup finals as a case study. San Miguel’s cornerstone, June Mar Fajardo, reportedly earns around ₱420,000 per month—a king’s ransom by local standards. But here’s the kicker: when the Commissioner’s Cup rolls around and teams bring in imports, those guys can command anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 per month. At today’s exchange rate, that’s roughly ₱560,000 to ₱1.4 million monthly. I remember chatting with a team manager who confided that one top-tier import even negotiated for a $30,000 monthly package last season, which completely dwarfs what most local starters make. The salary disparity becomes glaring when you realize that a single import often earns more than two or three key local players combined. Yet watching Sunday’s all-Filipino conference clash, I couldn’t help but think our local talent often delivers equal—if not greater—value, especially in high-stakes games like this potential finals clincher.
Now before you grab your pitchforks, let’s dig into why this gap exists. Imports are typically short-term investments with immediate ROI expectations—they’re hired to push teams deep into the playoffs, and their pay reflects that urgency. I’ve seen imports who’ve played in higher-profile leagues like the EuroLeague or had NBA stints; their market rate is simply global, not local. But here’s where it gets tricky: while an import might earn ₱1.2 million for a two-month conference, our local veterans are on year-round contracts with benefits, bonuses, and long-term security. I’ve always felt the conversation misses this nuance. Sure, the raw numbers look unbalanced, but the contexts are completely different. During the Philippine Cup, where no imports are allowed, the league essentially proves that Filipino players can carry the product—both in talent and marketability. The intense showdown between San Miguel and TNT, both vying for that coveted finals slot, demonstrated exactly that. You don’t see empty seats when it’s all-local talent on the floor, do you?
So what’s the solution? I’m not advocating for slashing import salaries—that would only drive away quality players. But I strongly believe the league should consider reallocating its financial resources. Maybe teams could adopt a model where a percentage of an import’s pay is drawn from a separate “import cap,” not the regular salary cap that governs local player wages. I’d also love to see more performance-based incentives for locals. Think about it: if a local player outplays an import in head-to-head matchups, why not reward them with a bonus? I’ve seen this work in other leagues, and it fosters healthy competition without breeding resentment. Another idea—one I’ve pushed in casual talks with team staff—is to offer local stars more non-monetary benefits: endorsement opportunities, post-career front-office roles, or even equity in team-owned businesses. These things add tangible value beyond the monthly paycheck.
Reflecting on Sunday’s game, where San Miguel and TNT battled without a single import in sight, it’s clear that the PBA’s soul is Filipino. The league doesn’t need to choose between fairly compensating locals and attracting competitive imports—it can do both with smarter structuring. As a longtime follower of the league, I’ve come to appreciate that while imports bring flash and international appeal, it’s the local players who build legacy and loyalty among fans. Moving forward, I hope the PBA finds a way to balance these two pillars financially. Because at the end of the day, whether it’s an import dropping 40 points or June Mar dominating the boards, what fans really want is compelling basketball—and fair play, both on the court and in the payroll.
