BEBL Executives Request Fifty Percent Cut in Civic Center Price

Glenn Gill

One of the major points raised in today’s BEBL press conference has to do with the cost that comes with using the Belize City Civic Center for matches. According to the league’s commissioner, each team pays five thousand dollars to use the Civic Center for each home game played. With three teams using the civic center as their home court this season, and each team playing six home games, the league will pay ninety-thousand dollars to use the stadium for the 2024 regular season. This means that teams will need their fans to buy tickets and support the games to turn a profit. But also, the league is requesting of those in authority that the cost be cut by fifty percent. 

Glenn Gill, Commissioner, Belize Elite Basketball League

“We presently have three teams using that facility each season and each team will pay approximately ten thousand dollars every month. So, we can do the math with that and that is actually taking a toll on the league. The BEBL is hoping that those in authority can recognize the contribution that the BEBL provides for not only our youths but also for the vendors who are happy for the opportunities the league provides for them and maybe they will help us to help others.”

Troy Gabb

Troy Gabb, Orange Walk Running Rebels

“When you see these players walking around town, kids actually look up to them. You see them asking for autographs just like a normal professional player, which would be in the NBA. Nothing changes here. That is why we stress the factor of the Civic Center. The Civic Center has been used for so many different things, but a sport is the main purpose of that facility. So for us to be having to pay per team, per a single game, five thousand dollars is kind of, it affects us a lot. That is a huge expense on a monthly basis. You are talking three teams playing out of the civic center. That is thirty thousand dollars a month in expense. If we would even get that down to fifty percent, that would help us significantly. We are trying to create sustainability and longevity.  We want the league to continue running. We don’t want the league to stop.”