GAB-PSC Joint Resolution No. 2020-01 released on Friday had settled the issue regarding the semi-pro leagues.

Under the resolution, professional sports or competitions shall refer to individual or team sports, games, contests, tournaments, competitions, and bouts, whereby participating athletes are paid sums of money or other forms of compensation as salary or prizes.

Based on the mandate, GAB is to regulate leagues where participating athletes “pay for play”.

GAB-sanctioned leagues which included Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Chooks-to-go Pilipinas 3×3, National Basketball League (NBL), and Philippine Football League (PFL) are among the pro leagues that have secured their pro licenses before the resumption of their games.

The resolution will be tested on the scheduled beach volleyball tournament of PSL to tip-off on November 26.

PSL athletes will be required to attend a seminar to secure their professional licenses from GAB.

However, according to Mitra, PVL, PSL, and MPBL claimed that “their players only receive allowances and not salaries,’’ eluding the professional tag.