Irresponsible spending

[farawaysaint]

I know full well that we are not owned outright by the Liebherr Corporation.

 

Even so, their family and business name is inextricably linked with us and so, therefore, is their reputation as a highly respected worldwide Company.

 

That they would allow Markus' vision to be corrupted (and by association their own) in any way shape or form, would, in my humble opinion, be unthinkable.

 

Money talks Ron, if we start to hemorrhage money at too high a rate they WILL sell us on without question. If my father were to die and one of his hobbies was proving too expensive for me to keep up I'd move it on, I'd feel rather bad about it but I would do it.

[farawaysaint]

I know full well that we are not owned outright by the Liebherr Corporation.

 

Even so, their family and business name is inextricably linked with us and so, therefore, is their reputation as a highly respected worldwide Company.

 

That they would allow Markus' vision to be corrupted (and by association their own) in any way shape or form, would, in my humble opinion, be unthinkable.

 

Money talks Ron, if we start to hemorrhage money at too high a rate they WILL sell us on without question. If my father were to die and one of his hobbies was proving too expensive for me to keep up I'd move it on, I'd feel rather bad about it but I would do it.

[John Boy Saint]

Something missing across this discussion is the fact that before we were saved, we were servicing debts like the Stadium mortgage amongst other bits and bobs, which is a bit of a draw on resources.

I would imagine there are a fair few in this thread with a mortgage on a house, when the lottery numbers come out those who are playing it deep down would be delighted to win enough to pay it off as they know how much more comfortable their life would become with possibly their largest outlay per month evaporating.

[dubai_phil]

Here's a point.

 

This year the TV revenue increased. BT decided to get into the game and gave Sky a run for their money. This kept the price paid higher.

This is now the 3rd attempt to "compete" with Sky - ITV Digital and Setanta. Both of them folded.

 

A large chunk of this year's increase has come from the sale of the Overseas Rights - most notably for many the 380 games on US TV, but again cemented in ME & Asia in a bidding war.

 

Now PL clubs can plan their income for 3 years forward, are wise enough these days to have relegation clauses to match increased Parachute Payments so they are actually in an enviable position in having a pretty fixed 3 year Cash Flow forecast & P&L unlike most other businesses.

 

PROVIDING cash is spent on players who could improve in value, that will outweigh the risk of buying some Duds (and we will).

 

For the next 3 years as long as we are funding within that planned Income (eg spreading the cost across 3 years) there is nothing wrong with our level of spending.

 

The PROBLEM will come as we approach the end of this current TV contract.

 

Will BT get the sign ups they need? They are not a charity.

 

Will Sky Subscription levels stay the same or increase?

 

The WORRY is seeing the number of people on here who are signing up to Al Jazeera Sport. I am sure we aren't the only set of PL fans who have spotted that loophole. The Qatari's will be loving it and it will vindicate their investment

 

But IF those numbers become substantial then they are consumers who no longer pay BT or Sky.

 

Something may have to give.

Maybe BT Vision will go Bust or pull out

Maybe Sky/BT push for a full 380 game package.

BUT with PL attendances (in general) dropping, Scudamore now making noises about offering fans free away travel to get numbers up, you have to doubt that the PL would ever approve blanket coverage in the UK.

 

As long as we are paying players a max around 60k a week we should have a wages to turnover level that is sustainable. Player Purchases (ie NOT buying old farts) still show signs of being investments rather than costs (although the left overs from our nPc squad are a worry on that plan) I think we are OK.

 

BUT we must be careful, in 3 years or whenever the TV rights are next up for renewal, the game could change.

[stevegrant]

BUT with PL attendances (in general) dropping

This is simply not true, Phil.

 

Average attendances over the last 4 PL seasons:

2009/10 34,142

2010/11 35,191 (+3.07%)

2011/12 34,598 (-1.69%, largely as a result of QPR and Swansea getting promoted in place of West Ham and Birmingham)

2012/13 35,857 (+3.64%)

 

This season is likely to see another improvement. Cardiff's attendances will be about the same as Reading's (24k), while Palace (26k) and Hull (25k) will get bigger crowds than both QPR (17k) and Wigan (18k).

[Big Bad Bob]

Will Sky Subscription levels stay the same or increase?

 

The WORRY is seeing the number of people on here who are signing up to Al Jazeera Sport. I am sure we aren't the only set of PL fans who have spotted that loophole. The Qatari's will be loving it and it will vindicate their investment

 

But IF those numbers become substantial then they are consumers who no longer pay BT or Sky.

 

Something may have to give.

 

Going slightly OT but how many peeps have a Sky Sport subscription solely for the football? I know I don't, I've often thought of getting rid of Sports and streaming stuff I watch but there's too many "fringe" sports that I enjoy that I won't be able to stream *AND* I won't be able to channel hop to keep up to speed with live cricket/golf/tennis/rugby league.

 

The £75 to be able to stream the matches is good, but as the missus works Saturdays and we have kids I can't sit in front of my computer at 1500 and watch the game so it's not for me.

 

I won't pay £15 for BT on Sky, I would rather wait until my Sky Fibre is up and switch to BT and get it for free.

 

Back On Topic

I know it's a trite line but in Cortese I trust, with the financial side at least....

[dubai_phil]

This is simply not true, Phil.

 

Average attendances over the last 4 PL seasons:

2009/10 34,142

2010/11 35,191 (+3.07%)

2011/12 34,598 (-1.69%, largely as a result of QPR and Swansea getting promoted in place of West Ham and Birmingham)

2012/13 35,857 (+3.64%)

 

This season is likely to see another improvement. Cardiff's attendances will be about the same as Reading's (24k), while Palace (26k) and Hull (25k) will get bigger crowds than both QPR (17k) and Wigan (18k).

 

Tried to find the link it was a small comment at the bottom of a Mail article about Away attendances falling will keep looking

 

It was not related to "average attendances"

[dubai_phil]

Here you go Steve

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2396516/Richard-Scudamore-wants-clubs-offer-free-travel-Premier-League-away-matches.html

 

[h=1]Let's offer away fans free travel to boost falling attendances, Premier League chief Scudamore urges clubs[/h]

 

Blame the Fail for the careful use of wording in the headline

 

So you'll be able to buy Saints Ale in Cardiff then?

[forever a red and white]

How about if they club instead of spending the £15m, used it to reduce ticket prices massively for the season instead?

[John Boy Saint]

Here you go Steve

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2396516/Richard-Scudamore-wants-clubs-offer-free-travel-Premier-League-away-matches.html

 

 

 

Blame the Fail for the careful use of wording in the headline

 

So you'll be able to buy Saints Ale in Cardiff then?

 

They had Ringwood Brewery Bitter on tap as the guest ale on the away concourse at the AMEX season before last.

[stevegrant]

Here you go Steve

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2396516/Richard-Scudamore-wants-clubs-offer-free-travel-Premier-League-away-matches.html

 

 

 

Blame the Fail for the careful use of wording in the headline

 

So you'll be able to buy Saints Ale in Cardiff then?

I don't really see what relevance away attendance has to the subject of "irresponsible spending" or a broadcasting contract that may or may not increase or may or may not decrease in nearly three years' time.

 

From Saints' perspective, our away attendances have improved dramatically in recent years - funny how a bit of success motivates people all of a sudden - and as a result, the club will have seen a marginal benefit from the booking fees they've charged, and I believe away clubs generally get a small percentage of the ticket revenue for away sales (around 5%), so there's that benefit.

 

Most, if not all, clubs will take the view that if away clubs don't bring many fans and they can sell those extra tickets to their own supporters then that's a bonus for them. The trend of attendance figures suggest that, despite a supposed 10% reduction in away followings, more and more people are still pouring through the turnstiles in the top flight, so why would the clubs actually give a toss one way or the other? Scudamore came out with those comments and what has been done since? Nothing.