Crisis Management, Golf, MLB, NFL, New York Times

The Cost of Doing Football Business…Two Coasts, Two Issues

Two pieces popped up on opposite coasts Tuesday that demonstrated the divergent issues football is going through from a financial standpoint.  On the east coast you have New York, where Rich Sandomir did an extensive piece today on the cost of building all the new venues in the area along with the costs being passed on to the consumer in terms of inflated prices and in some cases ticket licenses.  It is a very strong read  on the economics of major market professional sports these days, the growing concern over fan apathy and where sports may have to go to maintain fiscal responsibilty in the future.  Then you go west, and today’s San Francisco Chronicle, which has a piece on the effort Stanford University’s athletic marketing department is taking to reduce costs and guarantee a solid experience for Stanford football, with a money back guarantee if not satisfied.  It is a novel approach and a big chance the University is taking on revenue, given the Cardinal’s two win season a year ago.  However the no risk chance for a good afternoon of football in a competitive market is an enticing one and certainly a trend setter should it go well.  The two pieces effectively highlight the difference in the have’s and have nots in a major market, and the efforts that have to be gone into, regardless of on field success, to stay competitive from a financial standpoint and relevant from a fan perspective.

Also on the cost of doing football business, the Des Moines Register had a good look into the escalting costs of non-conference football games…the Daily Mail has an in-depth look at the repercussions following England’s Rugby World Cup title…and AP has a worthwhile read on LPGA players having a requirement to learn English…