This will all be moot unless they make structural changes to the game. It's the fourth most popular game because the season is too long, the games are too slow and analytics are killing it.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

The proper measure of profits is in relation to the value of the asset or so called opportunity cost. Typically an equity investor would require at least 10% average annually on an investment. So what are the Braves worth? $3B?

If they only earned $104M, then that asset is way underperforming. Now, of course, like real estate we have to take into account the unrealized capital gain on the value of the franchise. So I suspect they realized a reasonable return overall.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

Agree with all that and would add too many teams are not even trying to win.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

Here is an interesting link regarding franchise values:

https://law.marquette.edu/assets/sports ... t.2018.pdf

Some highlights:
The average NFL franchise (as of 2018) was worth $2.4B
The average for MLB and the NBA was $1.65B
The average for the NHL was about $600m

Interesting that as recently as 2000, the average for the NFL was only $400m. Also interesting that the NHL had a billion dollar team before the NBA.

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The 1994 strike took out abot six weeks of games in 94 and about three weeks of games in 95. There seems to be a similar level of acrimony here, so I'm going to say 8 weeks worth of games and a start date around June 1st.

Ok Braves were worth $1.9B four years ago. I wonder how the new stadium figures into the value today?

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Hawaii (fuck) You

That ESPN largely walked away from the prior coverage should've been a wake-up call but the wanton stupidity of the owners prevented that

Of course the idiot players chafing at every proposed change didn't help either.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

May 1 is optimistic, but I think that is the date where both sides will start seriously having "uh oh" shit my pants thoughts. Baseball starting after Memorial Weekend starts to look really ugly for both sides.

I'll say game 1 of regular season is May 5 or 6.

I'm clear on what the owners want....all of which is bad for the game. The MLBPA doesn't seem to be asking for much since they dropped their age based Free agency demand. That (IMO) should have been where hey dug their heels. Last report is $725,000 league minimum....that's pretty reasonable. $85 pre-arbitration bonus pool....that's probably way over what they will get, and higher luxury tax thresholds. Seems both sides have already agreed a draft lottery is a good idea, so that's close.

I won't lose any sleep over the season starting early May, but anything later will royally piss me off.

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Can we call that $561M in revenue?

The math checks out.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I wish Theo was involved in the negotiations.
-Jesse Rogers

Bernstein pointing out Manfred blasting Mike Trout in the past. Also, Bernstein blames Trout doesn't have a huge Instagram following because baseball is sinking. Not he has no personality.

I think another way to determine if owning a MLB franchise is an average or better performing asset is looking at the fact that every time a franchise is for sale, a half a dozen or more guys who have been successful in many different business areas trip over each other to buy the asset.

I think the problem with the smaller teams whether that is Pirates or Royals or even White Sox isn’t team value. It’s operating revenue. With having to invest in minors and all that modern development as well as stadium and payroll it’s probably hard.

I’m not crying for them but sitting on a $1B team valuation isn’t paying the bills so to speak.

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Elections have consequences.

Are superyachts good investments?

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

What I don't understand about the players is that "expanded playoffs" is just a mechanism for the owners to spend less money and still have the appearance of success or contention. Also more playoff games = more money.

What the players should do is call the owner's bluff and say that sure we agree to expanded playoffs. Then propose an 8 team playoff. The Division Series is best of seven, the LCS is best of seven, and the World Series is best of 9.

That's the "expanded playoffs" the owners want, but it really shoves the concept up the asses of the Orioles, Indians, Pirates, and the other teams that want to limp into the playoffs with 80 wins.

Is a superyacht a business or a luxury? Regardless of your dipshit answer..

When you own an superyacht and run it as a business it sure the fuck is a good investment.

I’ll get back to you after I hear back on my application to the yacht repo task force.

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If they could subdivide those series to sell the rights across several carriers, there may be something there. All they really care about is the rights’ fees.

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I mean they can package it any way they want, it's a potential X number of playoff games. The issue is that this isn't the "expanded playoffs" that the owners want, they want more teams to make the playoffs, not just more games. With more teams making the playoffs, and shorter series in the playoffs, your regular shitbox 79 win ($80MM payroll team) team can not only make the post season but get frisky in a series or two. So with more teams to "expand" the playoffs, they get more TV revenue and have to spend less to be a "playoff team".

This is so great. "J-Hey Kid" going off on Instagram that MLB is negotiating in bad faith. That's like a bank robber complaining his bag of loot is too heavy.

Owning a sports franchise is a luxury item for billionaires.

You think Steve Ballmer and Cuban are in it for the profits? They can spend that money far better to make more money.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Ask the late Paul Allen's sister.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

Steve Ballmer and Cuban are egomaniacs who incessantly crave attention and self gratifying accolades, that is why they own sports franchise.
Oh yeah, and they are also interested in the handsome annual profits and rapidly increasing value of their assets. Cuban bought the Mavs for 280MM. It's now worth north of 2.7BB. When you risk adjust that for the relative safety of the US Sports Entertainment industry, that's a fabulous return. Also when you consider the ability to lever that given the relative safety of the US Sports Entertainment industry, that's a fucking fabulous investment.

This idea of yours that owning the Texas Rangers is the same splurge as owning a helicopter is just beyond dumb.

The reason I focus on the Braves is they are the only franchise with open books. 54% of 561 is $302M. They averaged 29,000 fans and were 8th in local TV revenue. MLB offer is $214M ceiling. With higher penalties than the last CBA.
I changed my mind. Players should offer revenue sharing.

They have expenses aside from salaries.

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But they won the title. Not exactly a good representation of everyone. Plus it includes things like rent for stuff near the park they own which isn't baseball revenue.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Your idea is that billionaires are lining up to buy sports franchises because they are a good use of money. They are luxury items.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I agree with One Post that owners not only see more revenue from added postseason games, but also face less pressure to add payroll if they can sneak into an expanded postseason. Still cracks me up that St. Louis added old man Lester at the deadline, went on a run to make the playoffs, then canned their manager.

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MLB has fallen.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!