Some facts about small market teams in baseball
WinPitcher
Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
in Sports Talk
Not sure if anyone knows but small market teams are much more better off then some may realize.
The Pirates for example received over 40 million dollars from the revenue sharing plan AND also got the 35 million
that all teams get for various things like national tv, radio etc etc. So before they even sold 1 ticket they had 75 million+
Add to that sales of food at the park, parking, local TV and radio it would appear that they have funds to play with the big boys.
The payroll is what? 50 million? They trade away the best players all the while claiming poverty. The truth of the matter is
ownership there would rather pocket the money then use it on player salaries. Oh did I also mention that the park they play in was taxpayer funded and is only 8 years
old. So next time anyone cries that the deck is stacked against the small markets remember that they too get the funds to play with the big boys, they simply choose
not to.
The Indians are another team that received around 55 million before they sold one ticket, yet they claim they HAD to sell off their two best players (who were under contract for next year)
at a very reasonable 15 million combined, so they could be competitive in the future. Anyone believe that?
The Phillies are a team that seems to have used the funds they were given and the results can be seen as they are leading their division.
Of course teams like NY, Boston, Chicago and LA will always have the funds to stay ahead and buy A typr free agents the smaller teams could use the money they get to
KEEP the stars that they develop along the way instead of selling them off for even more money which winds up in the owners pockets.
Steve
The Pirates for example received over 40 million dollars from the revenue sharing plan AND also got the 35 million
that all teams get for various things like national tv, radio etc etc. So before they even sold 1 ticket they had 75 million+
Add to that sales of food at the park, parking, local TV and radio it would appear that they have funds to play with the big boys.
The payroll is what? 50 million? They trade away the best players all the while claiming poverty. The truth of the matter is
ownership there would rather pocket the money then use it on player salaries. Oh did I also mention that the park they play in was taxpayer funded and is only 8 years
old. So next time anyone cries that the deck is stacked against the small markets remember that they too get the funds to play with the big boys, they simply choose
not to.
The Indians are another team that received around 55 million before they sold one ticket, yet they claim they HAD to sell off their two best players (who were under contract for next year)
at a very reasonable 15 million combined, so they could be competitive in the future. Anyone believe that?
The Phillies are a team that seems to have used the funds they were given and the results can be seen as they are leading their division.
Of course teams like NY, Boston, Chicago and LA will always have the funds to stay ahead and buy A typr free agents the smaller teams could use the money they get to
KEEP the stars that they develop along the way instead of selling them off for even more money which winds up in the owners pockets.
Steve
Good for you.
0
Comments
Would I like to see them sign some good free agents sure. What players want to come to Pittsburgh to play? They will most likely have to settle for 2nd tier, end of their career or way overpay for players and that wouldn't do them any good.
Bottom line they are going to spend most of their money on young talent and hope they get enough that it pays off in 2011. If they end up with a competitive team that they don't support and keep trading players away then they should be contracted.
The players they got rid of the last 2 years besides Bay are marginal players that would of been gone in FA by 2011 anyway.
The current team is so bad they deserve to be embarassed but i have some hope that they have enough young players that some should pan out and they will at least get better. I also think that maybe they really want Harper
<< <i>unless you know the actual fixed and variable costs associated with a team its faulty to assume just becuase they received a certain amount of money they are making X profit. Teams like the Yankees make alot more also due to attendence, ticket price differences and their own network tv deals. I do know the Pirates have invested over 10 mil into this years draft picks and have some latin players they want to sign as well. Has the team and owner pocketed cash, most likely. The big question is will they invest in the team if it gets better in the future.
>>
Excellent points and i agree. Teams like the Pirates and Reds are not making anywhere near the profits like big market teams, like the yankees, red sox, phillies, etc. But the sad thing is since a losing franchise like the Pirates are STILL making decent profits, they dont care if they put out a winning product. Because as long as the fans(suckers) in Pittsburgh still come out and support the team(maybe because of the fantastic stadium they have)? They are going to keep running the franchise the same way. If Pittsburgh fans want a winning team, STOP BUYING TICKETS PEOPLE!!
was less then 50.
Who wants to come to Pittsburgh anyway? If they were winning 90+ games per year you bet your bippy some would.
Steve
unless you know the actual fixed and variable costs associated with a team its faulty to assume just becuase they received a certain amount of money they are making X profit.
No where in my post did I mention anything about profit. I can bet you though they ain't losing money.
Steve
I think its pretty clear under old management they used the money to pay for things (like salary to themselfs or debt) that was not allowed. I do think the new owner is willing to at least spend money on the draft which you can see on it's willingness to spend well over slotting money for most of it's picks.
One thing is they didn't go bankrupt so you at least have to give them some credit for that.