The approval of the third reinforcement measure in the National Superior Basketball (BSN) —which was certified on its fourth attempt in recent years— seeks to increase the spectacle offered to the fans and do justice to the representatives, who invest millionaire sums to make their teams more competitive.
This was stipulated by the president of the league, Ricardo Dalmauwho explained that the rule was endorsed in a context in which there are three additional franchises, which added 45 player positions, of which six would be reinforcements and 39 natives. He added that with the globalization of basketball, more Puerto Rican players play abroad. In fact, he maintained that sometimes there are “more than 30 players playing abroad.”
“This is a measure that has been evaluated for years,” Dalmau said in an interview with The New Day to talk about the measure that has been rejected by the players’ association and the Puerto Rico Basketball Federation (FBPUR)among others.
The rule was approved Oct. 17 at the second board meeting during the offseason. The BSN explained at that time through a brief statement that circulated on its social networks that there will be no nationality restrictions when the 12 quintets hire their imports.
“It is not a measure that we approved out of nowhere, we have spent years carefully and meticulously evaluating it, seeking the balance of all interests,” insisted the BSN director.
Dalmau pointed out that the decision to allow three reinforcements for the 2025 season was made after analyzing the market and after validating the need for this initiative. He said that he envisions that the next tournament will be played with that rule, although this “does not mean that we are open to listening to any type of suggestion or idea.”
“Our goal is how we present our fans with a quality product. Make it attractive and make it pleasant in the eyes of the fan, taking into consideration that the partners in this project are the players,” he stated.
The league president assured that once the next tournament is over, this measure will be evaluated as is done with all the decisions that are made.
“That’s something we do every year. “We are always evaluating the impact of all our initiatives and how we can look for ways to continue improving,” he said.
“I don’t want to be misunderstood, but I do have to say that all the initiatives that have been implemented are continually evaluated. All are competitively priced and economical, and are continually evaluated. That is why we have never closed ourselves to any measure. Yes, I have to say that by 2025 the BSN will be playing with three reinforcements.”
Open to dialogue
Dalmau stipulated that he will give a forum to the Basketball Players Association and the FBPUR to express their positions regarding the controversial statute.
In the case of the federation, it acknowledged its concern about this issue in order to “try to maintain the stability of basketball at all levels” and maintained that it was to be expected that they would ask for a hearing.
Regarding the Association, he said that as a former basketball player he understands “the concern and insecurity that can be generated by adding a player who they feel is taking an opportunity for them.”
“I understand that and we are sensitive to that, but we also have to balance it with the league’s growth plans because although it is not seen in the short term, the benefit will definitely exist in the long term,” he added.
“The opening is there. We are going to meet for sure and they will definitely be heard,” he added.
Both organizations have separately indicated that they oppose the third reinforcement.
The president of the Association, Ricardo Carrillo, has stated that the measure “is a very dangerous path” because they are already going through three reinforcements.
“And not only are we going for three, there are three plus other reinforcements who are on the bench without playing waiting to replace others (of the main reinforcements). That has a substantial economic impact on the teams’ coffers and can mean a reduction in the players’ income, the lack of development of Puerto Rican players and a way of affecting the National Team,” Carrillo observed in a previous interview with this medium.
In fact, the Association and the Carolina Giants They opposed the measure, which passed by a vote of 11 to 2.
For its part, the FBPUR said in a press release that “this change could negatively impact the development of high-performance basketball in Puerto Rico and, in particular, the formation of the men’s national team.”
Federation president Yum Ramos added that he will manage the elimination of the third reinforcement, and if he does not achieve it, he will ask that it only be approved for the 2025 tournament.
Understand the positions against
When asked if Dalmau expected the opposition he has encountered, he said yes and stressed that he understands the opponents’ positions due to the concern it generates, but insisted that the measure should not be seen in isolation.
Likewise, he downplayed the argument that bringing more reinforcements harms the growth and development of national basket players, since currently Puerto Rican players with good projection go to study in the United States and when they graduate, some seek to enter the NBA through the G-League or they are going to play in international leagues.
“(The players) have a diversity of alternatives to generate income that in turn serves for development. When you bring a third reinforcement to the league, you will automatically improve it because you are adding international talent with the intention of improving quality,” explained Dalmau.
“Every native player with a high performance projection will also automatically improve because they are exposed to a better quality of basketball day after day, and it is also their will to continue working on their game to continue improving,” he concluded.
