Originally posted by willa1975
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I think Gillett has done reasonably well with the Montreal Canadiens. Before the NHL salary cap, he was at a financial disadvantage, as the Canadian dollar, which at that time was considerably weaker than the American dollar, made it difficult for him to compete with the clubs south of the border. But, since the advent of the salary cap, the Canadiens have improved considerably and have had a respectable record over the past few seasons. They are also doing quite well so far this season, with the second best points total in the Eastern Conference. Hicks' Dallas Stars are also doing quite well this season, with the second best points total in the Western Conference. In fact, they have consistently posted winning records since Hicks has owned them. They haven't won a championship in several years but, considering the degree of parity between teams in the league, and the fact that the championship is determined by a playoff tournament, I don't think he should shoulder the blame for that. Anyway, I certainly don't think either of their hockey clubs has been run into the ground.
Now, Hicks' baseball team is another story. The Rangers are in pretty sad shape, and Hicks has been rather tight-fisted since acquiring Alex Rodriguez several years ago. However, the Mets, Yankees and Red Sox are really the only three clubs in Major League Baseball who can afford to spend big year after year. I think the Rangers' struggles are partially due to Hicks not spending enough on his playing squad, but some fault has to lie with the people making the personnel decisions. I base this argument on the fact that the Cleveland Indians, who came within a game of reaching the World Series, and the Colorado Rockies, who were losing finalists this past year, both had lower payrolls than Hicks' Texas Rangers. Again, I don't think Hicks is deciding who plays for the Rangers, he's just the one signing the checks.
Now, a lot of people are criticizing G&H for being interested in LFC only for the money the club can make for them. But, the way things are in European football, I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. Look at how the Scum are doing with an owner who, it seems, hasn't set foot in Old Trafford since he acquired the club. In American sports, where there is no threat of relegation, where there are no lucrative continental tournaments, and where there is a considerable degree of revenue sharing between the clubs, it is entirely possible for an owner to field a losing team year after year and still turn a profit. This is obviously not the case in European football. I cannot imagine that G&H are so stupid that they don't realize that any financial success they may enjoy as owners of Liverpool Football Club is very much dependent on success on the pitch. A 71,000-seat stadium is a great way to increase revenue, but 71,000 people aren't going to show up every other week to watch a **** team. And, considering that they've now invested a considerable chunk of their own change in the refinancing deal, they both personally have something to lose if they aren't successful.
What pissed me off more than anything was G&H's incompetence. There's simply no excuse for ****ing about with a stadium design that was not financially feasible before a shovel was even placed into the ground. I also agree with Rafa's assessment that they don't understand the transfer market, although I'm hoping that they will have learned from this experience. I was also taken aback by Hicks' complete lack of class in his comments to the media regarding the state of the club and his relationship with Rafa.
But these guys didn't get to where they are by being a couple of bumbling idiots. I hope they have learned a few lessons from this experience. Now that they've got the refinancing done, we're stuck with them, so let's hope that they make more sound decisions in the near future.
I'm content to give them a chance for now. They won't get a passing grade from me unless construction starts on the new stadium, Mascherano signs a permanent deal, and they give the manager a proper transfer kitty over the summer. These would be steps in the right direction, and should be priorities for these two businessmen, because a stronger LFC can only benefit their bottom line.
Now, Hicks' baseball team is another story. The Rangers are in pretty sad shape, and Hicks has been rather tight-fisted since acquiring Alex Rodriguez several years ago. However, the Mets, Yankees and Red Sox are really the only three clubs in Major League Baseball who can afford to spend big year after year. I think the Rangers' struggles are partially due to Hicks not spending enough on his playing squad, but some fault has to lie with the people making the personnel decisions. I base this argument on the fact that the Cleveland Indians, who came within a game of reaching the World Series, and the Colorado Rockies, who were losing finalists this past year, both had lower payrolls than Hicks' Texas Rangers. Again, I don't think Hicks is deciding who plays for the Rangers, he's just the one signing the checks.
Now, a lot of people are criticizing G&H for being interested in LFC only for the money the club can make for them. But, the way things are in European football, I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. Look at how the Scum are doing with an owner who, it seems, hasn't set foot in Old Trafford since he acquired the club. In American sports, where there is no threat of relegation, where there are no lucrative continental tournaments, and where there is a considerable degree of revenue sharing between the clubs, it is entirely possible for an owner to field a losing team year after year and still turn a profit. This is obviously not the case in European football. I cannot imagine that G&H are so stupid that they don't realize that any financial success they may enjoy as owners of Liverpool Football Club is very much dependent on success on the pitch. A 71,000-seat stadium is a great way to increase revenue, but 71,000 people aren't going to show up every other week to watch a **** team. And, considering that they've now invested a considerable chunk of their own change in the refinancing deal, they both personally have something to lose if they aren't successful.
What pissed me off more than anything was G&H's incompetence. There's simply no excuse for ****ing about with a stadium design that was not financially feasible before a shovel was even placed into the ground. I also agree with Rafa's assessment that they don't understand the transfer market, although I'm hoping that they will have learned from this experience. I was also taken aback by Hicks' complete lack of class in his comments to the media regarding the state of the club and his relationship with Rafa.
But these guys didn't get to where they are by being a couple of bumbling idiots. I hope they have learned a few lessons from this experience. Now that they've got the refinancing done, we're stuck with them, so let's hope that they make more sound decisions in the near future.
I'm content to give them a chance for now. They won't get a passing grade from me unless construction starts on the new stadium, Mascherano signs a permanent deal, and they give the manager a proper transfer kitty over the summer. These would be steps in the right direction, and should be priorities for these two businessmen, because a stronger LFC can only benefit their bottom line.
I still remain to be convinced that either option is really all that attractive, but at least you put forward a good argument.
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