American Reds

[BrooklynRed]

I am an American and have been a Reds fan for the past 13 years or so. My moment of conversion came after the 1994 World Cup in the USA when I started watching the league for the first time (PPV only as there was no domestic coverage AT ALL and this was pre-internet), and then watching Fowler put three past Aresenal in the 1995 league cup final sealed my fate. As an American, I have to say that I know we have a ****e President and people think we're fat, stupid and rich, and I also know that our countrymen are still learning the game (although there are lots of Reds in the USA who love the side and know plenty about our history and the Liverpool way), but I have to say, I am proud that we have new investment and ownership from the USA. I said before, it doesn't make me feel closer to the side (I'm already hooked), but it does bring me belief in one thing; Americans are traditionally unsentimental about sport in relation to business, and I think that the two new owners will run this team like a business, the goal being success, profitability, long term stability, and Championships (which ultimately lead to the aforementioned goals). I think it will be a very good thing for my beloved club.

That said, as an American, I feel as though I now run this place, so you all best start doing what you're told.

Seriously, any American Reds want to check in?

[Mumsafan]

I don't think you're fat, stupid and rich. Just fat and stupid.





















Joke!

[Diego]

how do you feel about hicks and gillet? how much respect is there for them over there in general?

[lfc4ever]

I am an American and have been a Reds fan for the past 13 years or so. My moment of conversion came after the 1994 World Cup in the USA when I started watching the league for the first time (PPV only as there was no domestic coverage AT ALL and this was pre-internet), and then watching Fowler put three past Aresenal in the 1995 league cup final sealed my fate. As an American, I have to say that I know we have a ****e President and people think we're fat, stupid and rich, and I also know that our countrymen are still learning the game (although there are lots of Reds in the USA who love the side and know plenty about our history and the Liverpool way), but I have to say, I am proud that we have new investment and ownership from the USA. I said before, it doesn't make me feel closer to the side (I'm already hooked), but it does bring me belief in one thing; Americans are traditionally unsentimental about sport in relation to business, and I think that the two new owners will run this team like a business, the goal being success, profitability, long term stability, and Championships (which ultimately lead to the aforementioned goals). I think it will be a very good thing for my beloved club.

That said, as an American, I feel as though I now run this place, so you all bets start doing what you're told.

Seriously, any American Reds want to check in?

Excellent view from a Red across the pond, and it made me laugh as well.

[KingKenny]

welcome to the site, just a note FOWLER did not score a hatrick against Arsenal in a league cup final. He scored a hatrick in a league game & it was 1994.

[BrooklynRed]

how do you feel about hicks and gillet? how much respect is there for them over there in general?

They are NHL hockey owners (which is how they met) and that is the fourth largest sport in the USA although I think soon MLS will replace hockey. A couple of things about The NHL...

The NHL had a player lockout a few years ago and cancelled the whole season because player salaries had escalated out of control. So, the owners cancelled the season until the player's union renegotiated their salaries in line with the lower profits the game was making. This has had an incredibly negative impact on the way the game is seen here; The NHL lost their ESPN contract (now they are on a network called Vs that has nowhere near the credibility of ESPN) and lost a ton of goodwill and marketing opportunity. It literally set the game back a decade.

In that regard, I don't think the owners were wrong in the NHL, but it just goes to show you that here, they would rather fold up the entire league than lose money in an unmanageable economic situation. As such, I don't think anyone holds hockey owners in high esteem per se. That said, The Montreal Canadiens are a storied franchise that have a ton of history; The most important team in Quebec, which has its own nationalist movement, traditions, etc. To have a beloved AMERICAN owner of the Canadiens is a big deal in Canada and speaks volumes about Gillett.

Hicks owns a big company, Hicks Holdings, that is a sports and real estate company; They are valued in the billions. He made his money in investment banking, buying and selling companies at a huge profit. The man knows what he is doing with this company. My assumption is that Hick's ownership stake in Liverpool is being filtered through this company and not being financed by his individual wealth; A stake like £225 million represents more than 50% of his personal wealth. This makes me feel much better, because Hicks holdings owns the Dallas Stars of the NHL, The Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball, and several other companies in oil, business, etc.

The thing I see about Hicks is that he has done some of the projects that we want to see happen for us at Liverpool and he has done them very well; Look at the Ameriquest Field project for the Texas Rangers. He built that stadium from the ground up (its a lovely park with a old time baseball feel), and then sold the naming rights for $75 million. That said, the Texas Rangers are not a winning franchise; They are middle of the pack. Same with the Canadiens (taxation in Canada vs USA is a big reason why great players try to avoid Canadian teams in the NHL). But neither team has a Rafa, neither team has a Gerrard. BUT-- Hicks isn't afraid to spend on salary if he thinks it will help him win; He spent $250 million for 10 years on Alex Rodgriguez for the Rangers (the largest ever sports salary contract in the USA) and when he didn't win games, traded him to the Yankees. He wants a return on the investment.

So, I think they'll be fine. I am most interested to see the stadium project go well and to see how their ambitions to win trophies are backed up by the transfer budget (and their hands-on approach to bringing players in). But from a financial stability and growth point of view, these guys are big time and know what they are doing.

my thoughts anyway...

[Shaggy]

I am an American and have been a Reds fan for the past 13 years or so. My moment of conversion came after the 1994 World Cup in the USA when I started watching the league for the first time (PPV only as there was no domestic coverage AT ALL and this was pre-internet), and then watching Fowler put three past Aresenal in the 1995 league cup final sealed my fate. As an American, I have to say that I know we have a ****e President and people think we're fat, stupid and rich, and I also know that our countrymen are still learning the game (although there are lots of Reds in the USA who love the side and know plenty about our history and the Liverpool way), but I have to say, I am proud that we have new investment and ownership from the USA. I said before, it doesn't make me feel closer to the side (I'm already hooked), but it does bring me belief in one thing; Americans are traditionally unsentimental about sport in relation to business, and I think that the two new owners will run this team like a business, the goal being success, profitability, long term stability, and Championships (which ultimately lead to the aforementioned goals). I think it will be a very good thing for my beloved club.

That said, as an American, I feel as though I now run this place, so you all best start doing what you're told.

Seriously, any American Reds want to check in?

Great stuff.

[BrooklynRed]

welcome to the site, just a note FOWLER did not score a hatrick against Arsenal in a league cup final. He scored a hatrick in a league game & it was 1994.

You are correct; It was Arsenal in the League. That is my mistake. I did watch the league cup final, but had the games crossed in my memory; Thanks for clarifying for my old brain and for giving me the finger for making a mistake.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Hicks is a hands on guy full of fun id say and a real winner. Im excited byt this, but i do hope they are patient

[anfieldanfield]

There really is no need to apologise for being fat and stupid.

I dare say the vast majority of posters on these forums fall into the same bracket.



Not me of course, I'm running a Marathon in May.

[KingKenny]

You are correct; It was Arsenal in the League. That is my mistake. I did watch the league cup final, but had the games crossed in my memory; Thanks for clarifying for my old brain and for giving me the finger for making a mistake.

yer welcome, thats the English way giving the finger, no harm done unless you sit on it

[BrooklynRed]

yer welcome, thats the English way giving the finger, no harm done unless you sit on it

[Flake]

That said, as an American, I feel as though I now run this place, so you all best start doing what you're told.

sir, yes sir.


well in mate, nice post. you're not smphotog on disguise are you?

[BrooklynRed]

well in mate, nice post. you're not smphotog on disguise are you?

Nope... was twhalliii on the unmentionable site.

[Maestro]

They are NHL hockey owners (which is how they met) and that is the fourth largest sport in the USA although I think soon MLS will replace hockey. A couple of things about The NHL...

The NHL had a player lockout a few years ago and cancelled the whole season because player salaries had escalated out of control. So, the owners cancelled the season until the player's union renegotiated their salaries in line with the lower profits the game was making. This has had an incredibly negative impact on the way the game is seen here; The NHL lost their ESPN contract (now they are on a network called Vs that has nowhere near the credibility of ESPN) and lost a ton of goodwill and marketing opportunity. It literally set the game back a decade.

In that regard, I don't think the owners were wrong in the NHL, but it just goes to show you that here, they would rather fold up the entire league than lose money in an unmanageable economic situation. As such, I don't think anyone holds hockey owners in high esteem per se. That said, The Montreal Canadiens are a storied franchise that have a ton of history; The most important team in Quebec, which has its own nationalist movement, traditions, etc. To have a beloved AMERICAN owner of the Canadiens is a big deal in Canada and speaks volumes about Gillett.

Hicks owns a big company, Hicks Holdings, that is a sports and real estate company; They are valued in the billions. He made his money in investment banking, buying and selling companies at a huge profit. The man knows what he is doing with this company. My assumption is that Hick's ownership stake in Liverpool is being filtered through this company and not being financed by his individual wealth; A stake like £225 million represents more than 50% of his personal wealth. This makes me feel much better, because Hicks holdings owns the Dallas Stars of the NHL, The Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball, and several other companies in oil, business, etc.

The thing I see about Hicks is that he has done some of the projects that we want to see happen for us at Liverpool and he has done them very well; Look at the Ameriquest Field project for the Texas Rangers. He built that stadium from the ground up (its a lovely park with a old time baseball feel), and then sold the naming rights for $75 million. That said, the Texas Rangers are not a winning franchise; They are middle of the pack. Same with the Canadiens (taxation in Canada vs USA is a big reason why great players try to avoid Canadian teams in the NHL). But neither team has a Rafa, neither team has a Gerrard. BUT-- Hicks isn't afraid to spend on salary if he thinks it will help him win; He spent $250 million for 10 years on Alex Rodgriguez for the Rangers (the largest ever sports salary contract in the USA) and when he didn't win games, traded him to the Yankees. He wants a return on the investment.

So, I think they'll be fine. I am most interested to see the stadium project go well and to see how their ambitions to win trophies are backed up by the transfer budget (and their hands-on approach to bringing players in). But from a financial stability and growth point of view, these guys are big time and know what they are doing.

my thoughts anyway...

Good post.
Cheers.