I think the injection of TV money has changed the relative financial situations of all the clubs and leagues in Europe with some (Man U and the EPL) doing well and some (Gretna and the SPL) doing less well.
There is a famous quote about the setting up of the NFL by the franchise owners “A bunch of capitalists walked into a room and voted for communism.”
The comercialisation of the televised football does seem to have changed the cultural value of football. I can certainly see one outcome where only a small number of players make enough to live on from playing and many of that subset make a fortune. I don’t think it’s guaranteed. With rising incomes and falling working hours there might be space in people’s lives and wallets to go and see Stenhousemuir play to a full house and then head home to watch the EPL big hitters on Sky.
My former boss S was an avid fan of Stenhousemuir and, talking to him about it, they seem to have retained their community focus. The loss of football clubs as a focus for the community does seem sad. That’s Thatcherism for you. Seductive at the atomic level, caustic in aggregate.
If I were a Glaswegian and a bit wealthier / healthier I’d be tempted to try and instigate a community buy out and an ownership structure like Barcalona’s. I think the fans of GRFC have a unique political ability to buy the club at a knock down price.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2012-02-21 04:56 pm (UTC)I think the injection of TV money has changed the relative financial situations of all the clubs and leagues in Europe with some (Man U and the EPL) doing well and some (Gretna and the SPL) doing less well.
There is a famous quote about the setting up of the NFL by the franchise owners “A bunch of capitalists walked into a room and voted for communism.”
The comercialisation of the televised football does seem to have changed the cultural value of football. I can certainly see one outcome where only a small number of players make enough to live on from playing and many of that subset make a fortune. I don’t think it’s guaranteed. With rising incomes and falling working hours there might be space in people’s lives and wallets to go and see Stenhousemuir play to a full house and then head home to watch the EPL big hitters on Sky.
My former boss S was an avid fan of Stenhousemuir and, talking to him about it, they seem to have retained their community focus. The loss of football clubs as a focus for the community does seem sad. That’s Thatcherism for you. Seductive at the atomic level, caustic in aggregate.
If I were a Glaswegian and a bit wealthier / healthier I’d be tempted to try and instigate a community buy out and an ownership structure like Barcalona’s. I think the fans of GRFC have a unique political ability to buy the club at a knock down price.