I truly don't mean to be a dick. I know @mattylip certainly does not deserve that and hope my post was taken in the (mostly) joking spirit in which it was intended. After all, one of the few enjoyable parts of being a Union fan is commiserating with folks on this forum. I just seriously don't understand why you would follow a competitive sports team that has shown very little interest in competing and then go out of your way to make excuses for that team.
No offense taken. Your statement deals more with a life philosophy than anything else. I'm not a huge fan of throwing money at a situation to get what you want. Whether it's Atlanta United having seemingly unlimited funds, getting a "small $1,000,000 loan" from your father (https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/26/politics/donald-trump-small-loan-town-hall/index.html) or being a "self-made" billionaire (https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/17/entertainment/kim-kardashian-kylie-self-made/index.html), I prefer taking time, developing a strategy, sticking to it, working hard and succeeding. There's a good deal of satisfaction that I derive from having worked hard in my life and succeeding beyond those who were gifted careers, status or material possessions. That's one of the things that draws me to the Union. The team is the underdog. The team tries to achieve despite significant limitations. When I was a kid, I was a fan of the Yankees. When I moved to Philadelphia in the mid-90s, I defected and became a Phillies fan. The main reason was because I respected the Phillies who were trying to build something, not just throwing money around knowing that something would work. In all honesty, I don't see the Union as having a lack of ambition. I see the Union as having the ambition to succeed where their peers have money, rich real estate developer parents, or family TV shows. I like rooting for the underdog and derive a great sense of joy when when the Union succeed despite the odds.
Thanks for being gracious and for taking the time to respond. It seems we see very different things when we look at this club.
I'm interested in your perspective on this. Would you pay $2000 more per season if the Union spent the money that Atlanta spent on players?
I picked up this quote from Arthur Blank during the All-Star Game. Just imagine what it would be like to have an owner like this---I know it's hard to imagine because we are not allowed to have nice things here. It is amazing to note in this short quote just how many points Sugarman, et al. fall woefully short on in terms of owning a team in this league.
That press conference has had me quietly losing my shit in my cube all afternoon ... this guy is a total clown.
IStar stock is up more than 10% this week and at a 6 month high. It was announced that the company is joining the S&P SmallCap 600. Insiders (i.e. Sugarman, not me) will get a preferred dividend that was declared this week. Sugarman is getting some cash money.
God damn - what a spike, that said the stock is still pretty far down from where it was a year ago, and lower than it was 2 years ago, 3 years ago was really bad, but it was higher 4 years ago and 5 years ago too... I'd take the bet that Sugarman isn't taking that dividend cash and putting it into the team. Outside of a ridiculous miracle spike iStar's success isn't going to be a driver of growth for the U. (although maybe it could break Sugarman if it totally tanks and force him to sell)
The price of the stick really does not have anything to do with Sugarman's personal cash flow. It does represent wealth, but that's just a number on paper. His holdings are going to be grants or options. The options likely allow him to buy at price better than market and the grants are free. That doesn't become cash in hand unless he sells. The stock appears to pay a dividend so unless the company is doing so poorly that it ends or reduces the dividend, then he's doing pretty well just holding the stock.
https://theathletic.com/547925/2018/09/25/ Jay teaming up with his other cheap buddies to nerf the league.
Do it Andy! The subscription is well worth the price just for the MLS coverage. You can set up your preferences for any sport you like. I get mine tailored for all of my favorties in my feed and get 3-5 articles per week per team. Good stuff!
JT hitting them hard: http://www2.philly.com/soccer/atlan...n-lessons-20181207.html?__vfz=medium=sharebar
That article speaks volumes. It basically says what we all know.... until Sugarman sells, we may as well get used to trotting down to Talen Energy Stadium to watch our club maybe qualify for the playoffs. There is no hope that they will ever win a cup until that time. Sugarman can compete with the Arthur Blanks of the world about as well as I can compete with the Jay Sugarman's of the world.
I imagine a cabal of MLS's cheapest-ass owners are watching this celebration together brainstorming how to compete with Atlanta by hiring another team tattoo artist.— Will Parchman (@WillParchman) December 9, 2018 The perfect tweet to sum up this team.