An idea that's time has come: Fan Union?

Discussion in 'MLS: News & Analysis' started by Flyin Ryan, Jun 13, 2005.

  1. Flyin Ryan

    Flyin Ryan Member

    May 13, 2004
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    A "sports in general" question, which would include MLS

    With all the lockout talk what with the NBA and the NHL now, where we have millionaire players and billionaire owners that charge each other as money grubbers to the general public when in reality they're both right, yet the owners want to charge more for a product they want to spend less on. Who speaks for the people that actually buy the product that is put forth? When you look at how sports are run nowadays, it's geared to making everyone not know what is going on. In MLS, salaries, player transfers, and boardroom decisions are more secretive than North Korea. In NASCAR for example, all the rules are not even known to the general public, so they could change them when their heart desires. In all sports currently, true bottom-line figures are either not told or skewed so that the owners can show numbers that they want people to see. Does anyone think fans should speak up and say that if they buy a product, there should at least be a say that a team or franchise should let in sunlight?
     
  2. Aljarov

    Aljarov Member

    Sep 14, 2004
    fmnorthamerica.com
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    No.

    Unless you have a financial interest in the business, a fan has no more right to dictate policy for a sports team than they would at Walmart (or a.n. other retail or commerical outlet).

    It's wishful thinking, but you'd hope that they might at least look after their fanbase for fear of losing it.

    Al

    PS The alleged motivated between bringing wages down in hockey is to reduce costs, this is supposed to help counter high ticket prices. The owners say that the wages are making them have to increase ticket prices. That said, it'll be interesting to see, should the owners win, how ticket prices change, if at all. But this argument holds a lot more water in MLS and NHL where they are not making profit, than in the NBA where they are.
     
  3. Flyin Ryan

    Flyin Ryan Member

    May 13, 2004
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    There's more to fan concerns than ticket prices though. Ask MetroStars' fans about the NJSEA, Giants Stadium, etc. Not to mention gouging due to concessions and parking.
     
  4. jairadballerina

    jairadballerina Member+

    Sep 15, 2004
    C-Town
    If that's true then the owners are just preying on the stupidity of the fans then. Ticket prices are not directly relevant to player's wages. Economics 101 aka "Supply & Demand".
     
  5. Thomas A Fina

    Thomas A Fina Member

    Mar 29, 1999
    Hell
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yep - you want to stop it. Don't go. If you go, you are simply condoning their incompetence


    which is why Metro will be lucky to average a median of 10k this year.
     
  6. bigredfutbol

    bigredfutbol Moderator
    Staff Member

    Sep 5, 2000
    Woodbridge, VA
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    If this was Europe and we were member of true clubs, then 'yes.'

    This is America, and we are fans of owner-operated franchises. Therefore, the answer is 'no.'
     
  7. russ bolshevik

    russ bolshevik Red Card

    Sep 30, 2004
    midnight in moscow
    They don't call us: "pigsucker" for nothing. :D
     

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