I'd say I got this pretty close 5 years ago...
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater wrote:
As you point out, they sell out so the only way to raise revenues is through price increases as you also point out. But the Cubs already have the 2nd highest prices in MLB. Cubs fans are loyal but even they would balk at new ownership coming in and cutting payroll while raising ticket prices. Not good PR to cut quality and raise prices.
Harley Davidson owners are loyal but they wouldn't go for someone coming in and saying, "Hey we're going to jack prices a little while we use some less durable materials."
Raising prices is risky as it doesn't take much of an attendance decrease to offset any gain once you figure in lost concession and merchandise revenue.
It would be great to do more concerts and "away nights" but there are strict regulations on that. I believe the agreement was to allow 1 concert every 2 years. And if they cannot do Cubs home games on Fri/Sat night, I doubt "away nights" will be allowed.
The profit that has been generated the past few years will be expected to continue and figured into the purchase price. If you want to say that is thanks to MacPhail, fine, but it better continue if you are leveraging. I don't think the Cubs are a good target for a "quick fix" turnaround and profit taking. They are built to generate solid cash flow from steady ownership and maintaining the experience they are selling. If you start tweaking that experience (corporate sponsorship, etc.) you start to risk the golden goose. Add to that the regulation from the neighborhood for changes and it suddenly is not as attractive for a group to start making changes.
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