israel4ever

This team would be better off in 2005, with no one named Alomar, Everett or Crede on it's roster.

I agree 100%!

Right on, Apu!

This was (is) a very well written piece...I cannot disagree with anything you have said. That is why I have always said that JR and his partners cannot (should not) treat ownership of the Whitesox as they would a regular business. Sometimes you have to forego some (if not all) of your profit margin to satisfy the wants (needs) of your fans. For example, would you rather see a Sox team with a $75 million payroll, finish in 3rd place, but know that ownership has made $25 million in profits, OR, would you rather have a Sox team with a $95 million payroll, be a serious playoff (WS) contender, and have the Sox "only" pocket $5 million in profits. (I know these numbers are not accurate, I am just using them to make a point.) In business, the goal is maximization of profits...this should not be the goal of baseball team ownership.

That's funny. Way to bring immaturity and stupidity into the discussion.

I am a huge fan of Godfather and Godfather II...Godfather III was terrible...do I own GF III on DVD...NO WAY!!! That's the point.

Attendance plummets when the team is no longer competitive!!!

I don't waste my money going to games! BTW...if a movie came out that you and everyone else knew would be 2 stars at best, would you still go?

I love the Sox, I watch many games on tv! I have been to 2 games this year...NONE after July! I am not spending my money on a team that gives me nothing in return!

You go be a cubs fan...not me!

I don't know about you guys, but, I only have x amount of money for my "entertainment budget". I am not willing to throw it away on a below average product...it's that simple!

I have been a fan since 72! There is NO viable alternative!

Don't settle for mediocrity...that's what you'll get.

In my world, you are either a playoff/WS contender, or you're not...the Sox are NOT!

I hate to use the "restaurant analogy" again, but it is the most appropriate! If your favorite restaurant was not nearly as good as it's competitors, would you still go there? What if it's owner told you, "I know we are not as good as our competition, but, if more people would eat here , we'd spend more money to improve our food."? Would you still eat there?

How much profit is enough, Steff? JR can keep running out an inferior product, and cry poor when the fans won't come out to see it? That's okay with you?

I am a bit skeptical as well. On the other hand, there hasn't been any terrorist attacks on US soil since 9/11, so....

BINGO!!! Don't ever think for a milisecond that JR will ever put fan interests ahead of profits! It'll never happen!

I don't know. Consider attendance, tv revenue, parking revenue, concessions, marketing, etc. Subtract expenses from those....PROFIT

You are not taking into consideration the profit they earn from the team on a yearly basis!

Another JR-apologist heard from. History 101...when JR and his investors bought the Sox, they paid roughly $80 million (if I remember correctly). What do you suppose they could sell the team for now? Hmmmm. Mayber anywhere from #200-300 million, maybe more?! Not profitable? I beg to differ!

OJ was guilty as sin, and never convicted!!!

Very valid points!!! Especially when you consider that first and foremost on JR's agenda is making money, not competitiveness, not championships, just $$$!

I can't answer that. But the Sox already have a minor league affiliate in Hickory, NC. Also, the NFL and NHL franchises in NC do pretty well, and the NBA is coming back to Charlotte.