A Look At The Dodgers And Community Ownership
by Eric Stephen on Oct 14, 2010 6:36 PM PDT
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PrintTom Hoffarth of the Daily News yesterday explored the viability of fan ownership of the Dodgers:
Peter O'Malley, whose family was the Dodgers' caretaker for 47 years, has already called on the McCourts to relinquish the franchise since they have "lost all credibility throughout the city." Is there a credible alternative? Us. The recent very public divorce proceedings embarrassed Angelenos to no end. Despite doing a lot of stadium renovation and laying out plans for more mini-mall-like expansion, the McCourts' ultimate treatment of the team, the city and its fans appears to be a pretty clear-cut case of L.A. identity theft. And we want it back. Hoffarth used the example of the community ownership of the Green Bay Packers of the NFL, something that has been in place since 1923: If baseball is a game of the people, by the people and for the people, can that Pack mentality (remember, Green Bay has a population of about 100,000) work with the 9.8 million folks of L.A. County and beyond? I have to commend Hoffarth for his column. He thoroughly researched the plan, presented it accordingly, and even got noted sports business mavens Andrew Zimbalist and Maury Brown to weigh in. That said, community ownership is not going to work. To me, community ownership is akin to a fan walk-out or boycott. In theory, it seems like a good idea, a way to mobilize and show "the man" that there is power in numbers. However, when has there ever been a successful fan boycott? In the end, there is too much talk and not enough action, and the number of people involved aren't enough to make a dent in the bottom line. However, let's assume for a moment that the community ownership can work, that enough people can successfully come together and organize an effective ownership group for the Dodgers. There's still the little matter of getting past the gatekeepers of MLB. Zimbalist told Hoffarth of the pitfalls of this strategy:
That said, Zimbalist conceded that a group of private citizens buying the Dodgers is "plausible in the abstract," but not really realistic. "Leagues tend to want to avoid dealing with an unknowable mass of people," Zimbalist said. "It doesn't mean that it couldn't work. There is a certain advantage to having fans own a team. But it really depends on how it is structured." Hoffarth will run a follow up to his column in the Daily News on Sunday.
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something that has been in place since 1923
Was the sentence I found most interesting in the piece. I don’t think there is any way possible that a team could become ran by the public in 2010 and the years to follow.
MLB would never allow it to start. I don’t think they would approve simply because of the lack of an “owner” to hold responsible for the team.
I am not well versed in items like this so I could be way off.
Well there is usually a board that oversees the team
so they could lose their jobs for example.
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -Robert Heinlein
http://www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com/
Hoffarth is getting more publicity out of this than even Janice Hahn did. The Packers are community owned because they had to do that stay financially viable IN 1923! If another team tried it now, they would be summarily dismissed by the NFL.
Who is to say that the public owners of the Dodgers, who would still require some CEO type or board of directors to run the team, like the Packers do, would be any good? Who is to say that the people who buy stock are the same people who call Dodger Talk and demand that the Dodgers bunt with one out with the #8 hitter.
by Bob Timmermann on Oct 14, 2010 6:46 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Who is to say that the people who buy stock are the same people who call Dodger Talk and demand that the Dodgers bunt with one out with the #8 hitter.
Haha, exactly
by Eric Stephen on Oct 14, 2010 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Also, there have been lots of really bad owners in the history of baseball. Very, very, very, very few of them have ever been forced to sell their team barring bankruptcy or other severe financial problems. (Such as Cardinals owner Fred Saigh going to jail for tax fraud.)
MLB has let Jeffrey Loria own TWO different teams. And he’s about 1000 times worse than the McCourts. Heck, the Dodgers were run by Chase Carey and Peter Chernin for a while and those two guys were the most loathsome humans ever to run a baseball team.
The richest owner of a local L.A. sports team, Philip Anschutz, keeps sending Tim Leiweke around to ask the city of L.A. to give him more money to build more sports and retail facilities near Staples. So I’m not sure who this magical owner is that will make everything go away and lead the Dodgers to a land flowing with milk and honey.
it certainly ain’t gonna be me ponying up a few grand to own some shares.
by Bob Timmermann on Oct 14, 2010 6:51 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs
You have to be insane to live in Green Bay
So why should we follow any model that place comes up with.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
Who ya got?
Pittsburgh -1 @ Syracuse
Missouri + 3.5 @ Texas A & M
Arkansas +3.5 @ Auburn
Texas +9.5 @ Nebraska
Cal +2.5 @ USC
Iowa -3 @ Michigan
Ohio St -3.5 @ Wisconsin
Oregon St +2 @ Washington
Thanks and I’ll hang up and listen.
Pittsburgh
Missouri
Arkansas
Nebraska
USC
Michigan
Wisconsin
Oregon State
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
I have nothing to support these picks
so take with a grain of salt…
Syracuse
Missouri
Arkansas
Nebraska
USC (although Cal’s defense, outside of the Nevada game, has been good)
Michigan
OSU
OSU
by Eric Stephen on Oct 14, 2010 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Money line the shit out of Oregon State
Let Vegas pay the vig for you
by Michael White on Oct 14, 2010 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Syracuse is a home dog against Pittsburgh?
Take Syracuse
by Michael White on Oct 14, 2010 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions
watching Sportscenter
talking about Josh Hamilton and how he hangs out with CJ Wilson, because Wilson also doesn’t drink(i guess)
Wilson: He comes to hang with me and everyone knows it’ll be cool. We just play Xbox, kill some aliens on Halo or something
apparently it was Wilson’s idea for the ginger ale
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 14, 2010 7:12 PM PDT reply actions
Just a couple low key guys
I like that.
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -Robert Heinlein
http://www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com/
Just for Men commercial
The name of the company in the commercial where the guy escapes and buys sunglasses is “Sun Flash,” right? I am having a hard time remembering and finding that commercial.
yeah
i think that’s it
They’re sharks……and they’re young
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 14, 2010 7:26 PM PDT up reply actions
I Have A Question For People...
Have you heard of a music band called “Gorillaz?” I had never heard of them before yesterday, and many people on a certain blog are reacting to my admission that I had never heard of them like I said I never heard of The Beatles or The Rolling Stones.
Sure. They had a pretty popular song maybe 4 years ago.
Their schtick is that they never show their face. Even at concerts they are animated.
by Michael White on Oct 14, 2010 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions
They have had several hit singles over the last 6 years
its not that they don’t show their face, its that the “band” is the actual animated characters. The only regular contributor is the guy from Blur, and everyone else is just brought on on a song by song or album by album basis.
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -Robert Heinlein
http://www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com/
have you never heard any of these songs?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgn3Dpm-lFE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4owPMW_Fy0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SxlD74hvRk
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -Robert Heinlein
http://www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com/
Only the first one, and Clint Eastwood. Didn’t know the band.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 14, 2010 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep
And they’ve made it big. There is a gimmick: it’s a real band, but the conceit is that it’s a band of cartoon gorillas. Hence the name.
Now with 33% more Kavula
by Humma Kavula on Oct 14, 2010 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Guess not. Hiroki has eyes for another. :(
Kuroda and his wife, Masayo, have two daughters, Hinatsu (born 11/18/2002) and Wakana (born 8/13/2005)
virtual band
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_band
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -Robert Heinlein
http://www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com/
Their first two albums sold 20 million
so that is surprising
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -Robert Heinlein
http://www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com/
I named my weekly soccer team after them :-)
We all wear black Gorillaz t shirts with a cartoony skeleton on it.
Which doesn’t mean I’m a huge fan but I do like them, some of their songs are really fun and the videos are great. They have a lot of cool people mix in with the main guy so it’s an interesting mix of music over time.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Bob you are on fire
Great comments and I think everyone knows that it is ultimately impossible for a fan buyout. What I did wonder, what if a few rich people got together and convinced McCourt to sell and MLB approved it, could they then go out to the public and sell a limited amount of shares to raise money?
My fear with McCourt is he is becoming so leveraged, and if more money is not put into the farm system it will become harder and harder for the Dodgers to compete over a sustained period of time and eventually win a championship.
But what would the money be used for
I mean, no one is going come here and plunk down all cash to buy a team valued at 600-700M, they are going to borrow a chunk to do so.
And no one is going to convince an owner to do anything he doesn’t want to do.
What would you do with the extra cash
Ultimately under my scenario or the one from the Daily News-the team is going to be owned by partners, who are going to make their own decisions. Hopefully they have the fans in mind.
My concern with the Dodgers that over the next few years if McCourt doesn’t get out of debt, what stops him from having a lower payroll and using whatever money he makes and putting it into his own pockets. He has already been turned down for loans as the papers showed, and if he sells the rights to Fox-he gets more cash, but will it be enough to pay off the debt and be competitive and sign some players long term. Hence a small fan ownership might help and perhaps create some greater level of connection to the fans.
by wineracquet on Oct 14, 2010 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions
You love that Taiwan will touch your heart commercial!
Or at least you’re always talking about it.
I remember seeing your pic in one of the TBLA game night photos. That is why I asked.
If Bigelow Green Tea is not represented, it is not a complete list.
Now with 33% more Kavula
by Humma Kavula on Oct 14, 2010 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Saw this on Bryce Harper's wiki page. Good to see that GED is paying off so soon!
On August 26, 2010, Harper was introduced by the Nationals. Harper said he chose to wear #34 because “I always loved Mickey Mantle, three and four equals seven.”
Easily the dumbest thing I’ve read today.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
Scott Elbert
pitched another inning tonight, 3 walks, 1 strikeout and 28 pitches but no runs. Trayvon Robinson is 1 for 2 with 3 walks batting leadoff and playing CF. No Sands today. Mattingly looking like he will go 2-1.
Yes indeed, I'd be stoked if Trayvon gets a legit shot to make the team next year
Which he may very well…
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
If the options are Pods and Gibbons...
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -Robert Heinlein
http://www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com/
that is sweet
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -Robert Heinlein
http://www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com/
Brian Wilson on Rome is Burning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf0j1rmZVbM
Have to admit, this dude is a GREAT interview.
Everything about his outfit
makes me want to punch him in the face
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -Robert Heinlein
http://www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com/
If he pitched for us
I would probably greatly enjoy him though
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -Robert Heinlein
http://www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com/
been a good while
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -Robert Heinlein
http://www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com/
Chili Davis possible hitting coach
remember watching him play for the Cali Angels. Cue delias in 3, 2, 1…
"Progress isn't made by early risers. It's made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something." -Robert Heinlein
http://www.accessorizeyourvehicle.com/
Oh man... Giants fans attacking me on Twitter and it's all Rob Neyer's fault.
Neyer of ESPN just retweeted something I wrote to him about Giants fans (which was actually fairly benign) and now I have Giants fans snarking back at me on Twitter.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
How it started
Neyer, defending his choice of Heyward over Posey for ROY from rabid Giants fans, ended with
@robneyer I surrender. You’re right. Let’s add a couple of wins to every catcher’s value — beyond positional adjustments, I mean — just because.
I wrote him:
@robneyer As a Dodger fan living in San Fran, I’ve long ago learned to tune Giants fans out. You could temporarily practice that. ;-)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Then I got stuff like this
RT @TheDodgerhater @craigary we don’t want your kind here. San Francisco is a Dodger-free zone.
@GnoccoFritto @craigary It’s your right to cheer for a moribund franchise like the Dodgers. Giants are better, and you know it.
@chaseparker22
@craigary @robneyer as a Giants fan, I learned long ago only to listen to Dodgers fans during Innings 1-3 or 8-9
LOL! Not really.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Wow. Talk about taking a completely innocuous comment and taking it WAYYYYY too personally.
This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man.
Same guy
“DodgerHater” just said I was too sensitive when I RT’d him back sort of jokingly saying “Blocked!” Yeah, a guy with that handle sez I’m too sensitive…
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
I am torn
I understand your pain UD but then I read Stark’s ESPN.com column on the Phillies trying to make history. Ugh. What to do?
by bhsportsguy on Oct 14, 2010 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Just not watch? :-)
I’m rooting for the Phillies to make WS and then to lose again to whichever AL team they face. Problems solved!
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
First and foremost
not all of the 9.8 million are Dodgers fans. We have a very diverse baseball fan base here and everyone would get a say. What’s to keep the 200,000 Cubs fans or 800,000 Angels fans from messing with any vote?
Secondly, Not everyone is a baseball fan. How do we know public ownership would choose the Dodgers interests over swimming pools? I’m sure there are a handful of activist groups who would want to use the Dodgers as a form of tax by which profits are returned to the city in the form of construction projects, jobs and youth foundations. All admirable, but all not the point.
Lastly (for now anyway, as I think this is a dead issue), what about Dodgers fans outside the city of Los Angeles? I know the vast majority of us live outside the city, would none of us get a vote? Forgive me if these topics were covered. You can all see the timestamp on this post and know it’s been a long day.
Poison kills 80 children in Uganda. Damn you, Brett Michaels! Damn you!
I don't think community ownership could work here, now
But, community ownership can work under the right circumstances. If you ever get the chance to see this documentary on Barcelona FC, you will see an example of it working in a marvelous way.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465909/
Of course it’s not without its pitfalls. Ultimately the same mistakes can be made under any ownership. The best part about it though, is that you no longer have an “owner” to blame— you have a board of directors and a president, who can be replaced. That is the most appealing aspect of community ownership.
New Article On Top
http://www.truebluela.com/2010/10/15/1750475/current-dodger-ties-to-lcs-teams
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
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