I must say that, despite the stabilizing influence of SVS&E in the days following the departure of the Krapts, I'm not sorry to see them go. Although I liked some of the SVS&E people that I worked with, I never felt comfortable with them (mostly because I have substantial negative history with the Sharks organIzation). It even got to the point that some SVS&E people would not communicate directly with me...they would only speak to other SVS&E personnel who then would relay messages to me -- while I was in the same room! As JM said, now we can stand on our own two feet and develop (from my perspective) an entertainment product unique to us.
We'll give credit to SVS&E for at least stepping in when the Krafts bailed from operating the club... in the long term, it looked like they couldn't focus on operating more or less running the team so it was best for AEG to take over... I would rather see an offseason in which the ship is run with certainty instead of the lingering issue of "will (the ownership group) stay or go"... At least Anschutz has the know-how in operating the teams... in the future there will be another local ownership group or individual stepping in and owning/running the Quakes but for now, despite my qualms about AEG running multiple teams they can run a good ship here... Won't see a return of the indoor Quakes anytime soon though... though, won't mind a return for the Grizzlies... cheers!
San Jose Mercury News (Thursday, 12/19/02): "Sharks bail out on Earthquakes"       San Jose Mercury News (Thursday, 12/19/02): "Sharks bail out on Earthquakes"       http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/sports/soccer/mls/san_jose_earthquakes/4773110.htm       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
I think its good that AEG is taking over from the Sharks. Ideally, sure, some local organization would be running the Quakes, but until that happens, I'm glad to see someone like Kevin Payne advocating for the Quakes. I hope this means JM is given the operating budget and staff he needs. Its interesting, before the great crash part II, someone posted that it would probably be announced at the same time that Donovan was going back to Germany and that the Sharks were out. They were close to right, but for now I'm taking Donovan and AEG as good news. Valid arguments can be made for local ownership, but oddly, no one since Alan Rothenberg (sp?) has apparently stepped up to try. Thanks to the Sharks for keeping the Quakes here and two glorious seasons. Tony
What about an indoor team at the Your-Corporate-Logo-Here,-Please! Arena in Oakland? Not gonna happen. Tony
Quote from the article Sharks staff assisted Earthquakes in sponsorship deals, promotions and general advertising, all of which will now be handled by AEG. What promotions???
      Yeah, it would be pretty cool for the Cleveland Steamers to come visit Spartan Stadium to play the Earthquakes, although I'd still rather see some top European teams come here to play the Quakes first (ala 1996-1997)!       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
First...thanks to the Sharks (our foster family) Great news that there will be a single entity running the Quakes--one with DEEP pockets that has already shown a willingness to work with MLS in realizing the full potential of this market (Donovan deal, Spartan Stadium renewal, more staff for JM in the front office.) All good signs. With a full staff, a rock-solid marketing tool (LD) and the $$ to drive a long-term advertising campaign I would expect we will see some positive growth at a more rapid rate this year.
      Thanks definitely should go to the Sharks for righting the ship. Somehow, though, I also believe that being run by just one entity (AEG) will be benificial, especially considering that it was AEG that paid for the extra ticket staff when SVS&E wouldn't.       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
I see this decision more as a reflection of the hockey franchise than as a reflection of the soccer team. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the Sharks lost a fair amount on hockey last year, and belts are being tightened. It seems to me that the Sharks are consolidating their various interests and devoting their attention to their NHL hockey team and possible future hockey-related ventures. I don't think SVS&E ever really put up much money to begin with. I think it was much more of a marketing arrangement with the big bucks coming from AEG. Hey, if we need an outside ownership group, I'll take Uncle Phil over the Krafts any day!
The cliche "too many chefs" comes to mind when you think of multi-headed team ownership. Especially when one of those has the separate, very legitimate agenda of first running a hockey team. I think Quaker is correct that the Sharks resigned some players to big contracts and are under a lot of pressure to "take the next step." They need all their cash. It's my .02 that this new arrangement will ultimately be beneficial to everyone.
JM is happy with new arrangement http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news/20021219/quakestrouble.html Happy Holidays Tony