Yes
No
I usually don't respond to these kind of threads but without being disrespectful, this is like the Quebec students who want free university tuition. The chance of this is less than zero. And it's also a very slippery slope, like nationalizing a business.
Is this a joke? TFC is one of the most profitable franchises in the league. And at the same time, the current owner has thrown a lot more money at long-term development of facilities and the training grounds, than you see in most cities.
Just because they've lost a few game they shouldn't have, is no reason to start being absurd.
think this thread is yet another grasping at straws... and who can blame people for wanting to!
...given that MLS recommended Mo Johnston to TFC, there is no guarantee that they would turn TFC into a winner.
Now if MLS allowed TFC an unlimited salary budget, maybe even ML$E could have a winner...
Instead of taking over the franchise, why not just introduce relegation?
At this stage, is TFC even turning a profit and making money for MLS?
I'd be interested to see.
A plausible scenario could involve our new corporate overlords Bell & Rogers deciding that running a sawker team isn't core for them. That's a marketing decision. If you think that there's an economic decision to be made (ie TFC loses too much money, lets get rid of it), we are a long LONG way from that. Remember being the MLS owners club gives them a piece of Soccer United Marketing, which is a cash cow (for you non-finance people, that's a good thing). Butts in seats may not be that relevant to them, now or ever.
I would assume so, but only because of the financial commitment from STH's this season. Considering that there are already thousands of empty seats at BMO Field in recent weeks that have been paid for, it's very likely that the proverbial gravy train will come to an abrubt end next season.Originally Posted by Whoop
Horrible idea. The MLS is not run by soccer people. We would have so many restrictions as fans put on us. It would be a bad scenario.
Aside from that - the stadium experience would be even worse. Think Columbus stadium experience and times that by 100.
There are teams in far worse financial positions for MLS than TFC. This is a non-issue at this time. It's a socialist league -- as long as it has some great successes (Seattle, Portland, etc) it can keep other teams alive (See San Jose and Columbus).
Remember that the original plan of the team was predicated on far lower expectations in terms of attendance and ticket prices than we have now. And in a revenue sharing league that's stable, like MLS is now, they can handle the downs of a team's fortunes, particularly a team that was the highlight of the league's balance sheet just a few years before.
I think MLS is probably just disappointed that the team has failed on the field -- if it was a good team, they'd be making even more dough.
Anyhow, new owners are coming shortly... Bell/Rogers. No more jokes about the Teachers Pension Fund. lol.
I'm going to assume Bell/Rogers would sue the pants off MLS if MLS took the franchise rights... and anyways, Tenanbaum still owns a percentage, and based on what Garber and the rest say, they love the guy.
Last edited by rocker; 05-07-2012 at 11:00 AM.
So it's a lateral move you say..
I would even say a step backwards.
TFC is in no financial trouble. But i would like to see someone who loves soccer and runs it morel like the owners at portland or seattle. I don't think people at MLSE have a clue how to run a team.
Backwards from 0? Interesting.
First time to acquire negative points. TFC the record smashers!
If MLS came in heavy handed on a wounded fanbase they'll drive everyone away. I don't think they are that stupid... but life would be harder no doubt.
Why?
Just because we are crap.....C'mon
MLSE, or Bell/Rogers in the future, should spend the money to hire a soccer president. This guy would oversee the whole soccer ops. Not a MLSE executive or board member. This President would report to MLSE.
The technical director or GM, the person responsible for contracting players, would report to the President. The coach would report to the TD or GM.
Instead you have a management team that is a mess that reports to a non-soccer guy.
People here got to realize that MLS will temporary "own" TFC until they find new owners.
Even though TFC is making a profit now doesn't mean they will continue making profit in the future if they keep losing on field.
I've heard no plans about this ... or is this some fantasy FIFA 2013 thing.
Works for the Maple Leafs. Though I'm sure we'll figure it out in a decade or two. No reason to panic. Keep calm and carry on.
No we haven't heard in soccer, but we have heard this in other professional leagues in North America. Currently New Orleans (NBA) and Phoenix Coyotes (NHL) are owned by the league.
But we're not Maple Leafs; we are soccer team playing in MLS. If attendance keeps on declining and TFC keeps on losing then the league might have to step in.Works for the Maple Leafs. Though I'm sure we'll figure it out in a decade or two. No reason to panic. Keep calm and carry on.
Completely different situation. MLSE is quit solvent. There's not even any indication they are losing money on TFC.
Not sure where this is coming from. Many MLS teams would kill for the kind of attendance we got on Saturday - and at much higher ticket prices than they get, and with a better TV deal than they get. If you think TFC is on the verge of financial collapse, then your about as wrong as it's possible to be.
It's an ugly situation, but I don't see the need to completely over-dramatize the situation, and panic.
With new ownership, who knows where TFC stands? Currently ML$E isn't doing enough to improve on-field product (due to divided management).
I am thinking long term here. TFC is slowly declining! If they don't approve their on-field product, then eventually they'll lose fans and start losing money.Not sure where this is coming from. Many MLS teams would kill for the kind of attendance we got on Saturday - and at much higher ticket prices than they get, and with a better TV deal than they get. If you think TFC is on the verge of financial collapse, then your about as wrong as it's possible to be.
It's an ugly situation, but I don't see the need to completely over-dramatize the situation, and panic.
Last edited by TFC07; 05-07-2012 at 08:11 PM.
I agree.
You have to wonder how willing the team will be to pay for DP players if the attendance decline continues.
And moving it to Ottawa...not
Why would he move a Toronto team to Ottawa? Btw isn't Eugene Melnyk from GTA?
I've been told that break even point for tfc is around 12-13k fans/game
Moderator
This is an absurd suggestion, and has a zero percent chance of happening. For starters, I doubt MLS have the ability to easily and forcefully buy back teams in their own league (at least not without a years long court fight from the current owners). Secondly, MLS aren't going to buy back a team based on the fact that they've been lousy for six years.
Thirdly, from a corporate perspective, I suspect MLS view MLSE as ideal owners - financially solvent (and strong), and re-investing into training and academy facilities/programs. Not a fly-by-night private owner with dodgy financing, who will give them a potential franchise relocation headache after a few years.
And let us not forget who it was the recommended MLSE hire Mo Johnston in the first place.
- Scott
“Heroism breaks its heart, and idealism its back, on the intransigence of the credulous and the mediocre, manipulated by the cynical and the corrupt.” ~Christopher Hitchens
I know a lot of people think it will be 'here comes the new boss, same as the old boss' BUT: Broadcast rights are paid to the team, winning team = more money for rights.
In the past MLSE saw only part of that pie.
Bell/Rogers will NOT have to pay broadcast rights and they get the whole pie.
Simple terms:
Winning team gets $100 more in broadcast rights, costs $80 to make winning team (FO to Pitch) so winning team is worth an additional 25% BUT may not work out.
Broadcaster pays $100 for rights and sells for $130, but only if product is available.
NEW SITUATION: winning team brings in $130, and costs $80, that is 62.5% upside potential.
Numbers are oversimplified but I think the point is clear, the risk/reward equation with Bell/Rogers owning the team is very different so there is a good chance we will see those risks taken to reap the greater reward.
I wish Ted Rogers was still alive because that man had GUTS and was a risk taker. Even though not a sports fan he knew to win the heart of Toronto he had to own a team.
I voted no, mainly because it would be a bad business decision. TFC value is dropping like a rock. Next season BMO won't be half filled.
Someone seems to say that every season.
I won't be renewing my pair. Not only is the team playing poorly, I could live with that for awhile but this is just plain silly. The real thing that ticks me off is most of my row in Dark grey is empty. Whenever people do sit near us, quite often we over hear them say they got the tickets as some sort of freebie, one group of 4 guys claimed they paid 20 bucks each.
^You could always downgrade next year. I don't see why anyone would be jealous of scalped tix.
FORMER FULL TIME KOOL-AID DRINKER
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