Bogotá runs out of basketball

Bogotá Pirate Basketball Team Trainer

Photo: The spectator – Gustavo Torrijos

At the time of granting this interview, José Tapias could not avoid crying when announcing that Pirates of Bogotáteam of the head of the head, will not be able to participate in the next basketball league.

The tournament is close to starting, although the official date has not been announced, and was expected until the last moment for the Bogota to be on the calendar.

From the leadership of the capital cadre, sponsors and new investors were sought, but At the last minute the money fell that would allow the team to face the season.

“It is impossible to participate”

“We tried until the end, but without the partner that was going to help us, and the accumulated debts of the last campaigns, For pirates it is impossible to participate in the next championship”Tapias explained.

The high cost involved Something that already happened to teams like Titans of Barranquilla or Búcaroswhich could not guarantee their participation in previous tournaments and ended up being suspended by the Colombian Basketball Federation.

Before the uncertainty of that future and increasingly difficult financing, José Tapias, who has been in the club during his three decades of existence, spoke with The spectator To give all the details of the situation: “I only offer apologies to the people who have supported us because we did everything possible, but I think positive and I hope that the team, in the future, can continue standing”.

Interview with José Tapias: What will happen to Pirates from Bogotá?

Why willn't pirates be in the next basketball league?

It is a decision that had been meditating since we finished the last tournament, for not having “sponsors.” The situation became very difficult. Even so, I put the “Deadline” until yesterday, because I had conversations with a possible partner, an investor, to get the team. I made the proposal and there was no echo. That led me to make the decision, which I told the president of the Federation. They called me Monday and yesterday to see if I could manage the club's participation, but last night I saw it was impossible.

How has the equipment to be financed in recent years?

Tortuous. Kimo de Fernando Montero, the hotels of Javier Campos and Ula's support helped us to take out the team forward. We also had the fortune to get a person who supported us several years in many projects; We made a camp with USA Basketball, a clinic, we invited Duško Ivanovic. But he didn't give more.

The entrepreneurs have entered a difficult situation and in the last two tournaments we did not have that support. That hurt the finances of the club, which we hold my family and my friends. It has been a community exercise. My family told me that I couldn't support me anymore; We held the team in the last two tournaments and dragged commitments.

It hurts that just when we turned 30 we cannot participate, but I have been pushing this since 1995.

Know more in the history of pirates: The 30 years of the patch: the legacy of pirates in Bogotá

How much does it cost to maintain a basketball team in Colombia?

Strong expenses are displacements and payroll. An itinerary of visitors – tiles, hotels— It can be 80 or 90 million per league. Futting the local event also costs: logistics, sound, cleaning, production, ambulance. Open the Colosseum is worth some 3.5 million per date; In 10 games, 35 million, only for that item.

Then there are foreigners: hotel, food, transport. A daily room can cost between 150 and 200 thousand pesos; multiply for two or three months. And the payroll depends on the muscle: there are players of 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, up to $ 15,000 per month.

If you hire four to 3,000, they are 12,000 per month; in three months, 36.000. With letters of freedom, add up to $ 40,000, which are around 160 million pesos only in foreigners.

In general, A “more or less” team requires between 400 and 500 million per tournamentfulfilling social security and others, without pretending to “break it” or be champion. A team just to compete.

Much effort for little remuneration.

I am Stoic: I work with what there is. The assistance weighs: the coliseum, the parking lots, the night schedule, all that deter.

The fan has supported us and the box office helpedbut in the last tournaments the average dropped. With financial leverage – “sponsors”, not only one – the operation is streamlined. Many national talents want to come to pirates because they play 30, 35 minutes here, they earn experience and are shown.

In clubs that only look for results with figures and foreigners, those who are dating do not have that space. But without “sponsors”, that bet is difficult.

Does the district not support?

We appreciate that the IDRD lends us the stage at zero cost. But we have not been able to transmit on TV because Transmissions were restricted, They charge two million per party, more Internet and production.

It is unfeasible if there are no income. Diffusion should foster the game. People ask why we don't transmit: because it would be to add a large cost to an already tight operation. I have played base with the institute, but I understand that there are priorities.

It is not just pirates: Titans, privateers, búcaros. Several are in the same crisis.

Everyone makes titanic efforts to participate. The League, with our defect, would go out with seven teams. There is a sponsorship that contributes, but this support is also missing from the clubs.

I foresee the stage and spent a letter on July 18. If you want to sanction me like Titans, Búcaros or privateers, for times, I will assume: I am respectful even if I do not share. I will continue to encourage basketball; That is my mission.

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