Future For Ownership

[ibot2much]

I think holding on to the RS was a goal through the 100th year of Fenway.....huge money was put into the team so that the RS may have gotten the WS rings for the 2010 season to complete the celebration.

 

Now I wonder if keeping below the Luxury tax is important in order to make the team more sellable.

 

These guys has owned teams previously and then moved on....why would the RS be any different for them?

[strutter]

Who knows with business. These guys could sell if they get a deal they can't refuse. I just want to see a winning product on the field. A new stadium with 20,000 more seats would be nice as well, but that appears to be more of a pipe dream for now.

 

However, I will make it known that last September's collapse is still fresh in my mind and I personally have lost a lot of respect for this team. They have a lot of making up to do with the fans let me tell you, including myself. I'm still pretty PO'd.

[Bellhorn04]

Henry said he plans to own for another 10 years.

 

Also I think they will exceed the Luxury Tax threshold this year. They are very close to it already.

[Elktonnick]

Henry said he plans to own for another 10 years.

 

Also I think they will exceed the Luxury Tax threshold this year. They are very close to it already.

 

Not if he gets the right offer or sees the right opportunity:D

[Bellhorn04]

Not if he gets the right offer or sees the right opportunity:D

 

I don't think any of us really know what Henry's thinking. As everyone keeps pointing out, he's a businessman. But I think he kind of enjoys being owner of the Boston Red Sox. It would make anyone's life a lot more interesting.

[sleepyhollow]

As long as the hen keeps laying golden eggs, JH will hold onto the Sox.

[Spudboy]

As long as the hen keeps laying golden eggs' date=' JH will hold onto the Sox.[/quote']

 

That is the nature of business. So yes.

[Elktonnick]

That is the nature of business. So yes.

 

Yes but, Someone could make him an offer that he couldn't refuse;)

[ibot2much]

I don't think any of us really know what Henry's thinking. As everyone keeps pointing out' date=' he's a businessman. But I think he kind of enjoys being owner of the Boston Red Sox. It would make anyone's life a lot more interesting. [/quote']

 

 

I don't think he enjoys it more or less than his other businesses. He does have that huge house outside Boston, but I am sure he has more than one home.

 

JH saying that he wants to own them for 10 years means nothing. Once the team becomes an annoyance as it did this fall, other business ventures can look much more attractive

[Muggah]

I think holding on to the RS was a goal through the 100th year of Fenway.....huge money was put into the team so that the RS may have gotten the WS rings for the 2010 season to complete the celebration.

 

Now I wonder if keeping below the Luxury tax is important in order to make the team more sellable.

 

These guys has owned teams previously and then moved on....why would the RS be any different for them?

 

You can make the argument very easily that they're considering selling. First off, Henry's always been a guy looking for the next financial venture. By his very nature you would think that ten years is a long enough stay for him.

 

But perhaps the biggest key we should watch is how hard Larry lobbies for Selig's job when Bud retires next Dec. Some have Larry as the front runner for the Commish's job and if that's true, and Larry gets it and takes it, then where's that leave Henry and Werner? Without Larry it's really kinda hard to imagine that Henry and Werner will want to go through the process of starting back at square one with a new CEO and a new corporate regime. So that's what I'll be watching. If Larry gets Bud's job, it's a slam dunk Henry/Werner sell, IMO.

[Elktonnick]

You can make the argument very easily that they're considering selling. First off, Henry's always been a guy looking for the next financial venture. By his very nature you would think that ten years is a long enough stay for him.

 

But perhaps the biggest key we should watch is how hard Larry lobbies for Selig's job when Bud retires next Dec. Some have Larry as the front runner for the Commish's job and if that's true, and Larry gets it and takes it, then where's that leave Henry and Werner? Without Larry it's really kinda hard to imagine that Henry and Werner will want to go through the process of starting back at square one with a new CEO and a new corporate regime. So that's what I'll be watching. If Larry gets Bud's job, it's a slam dunk Henry/Werner sell, IMO.

 

Watch what happens with the Dodgers and the Mets. I could see a situation arise that various ownership groups who were unsuccessful getting the Dodgers could be interested in another opportunity. Re the Mets, reportedly that franchise's equity value has sunk to around 250 million making it a bargain. Don't discount the possibilty that Wilbon will be forced to sell. So there is a market out there and a lot of investors despite the economy. Such a climate is an opportunity for an entrepreneur. Who knows. I could see various possibilites once LL's contract is up in a year assuming he doesn't get the commisssioner's job

[Muggah]

Watch what happens with the Dodgers and the Mets. I could see a situation arise that various ownership groups who were unsuccessful getting the Dodgers could be interested in another opportunity. Re the Mets' date=' reportedly that franchise's equity value has sunk to around 250 million making it a bargain. Don't discount the possibilty that Wilbon will be forced to sell. So there is a market out there and a lot of investors despite the economy. Such a climate is an opportunity for an entrepreneur. Who knows. I could see various possibilites once LL's contract is up in a year assuming he doesn't get the commisssioner's job[/quote']

 

 

It's definitely worth keeping a close eye on, Elk. And there's a high probability it might be one of the most exciting things we have to watch this year.

[jacksonianmarch]

Every owner in the business world is looking to sell...for the right price. No matter how long someone has owned something, they have their price. I am sure if a suitor came in and offered Henry $1.5 billion, he'd sign and run faster than anyone you have ever seen

[Bellhorn04]

Every owner in the business world is looking to sell...for the right price. No matter how long someone has owned something' date=' they have their price. I am sure if a suitor came in and offered Henry $1.5 billion, he'd sign and run faster than anyone you have ever seen[/quote']

 

I'm sure you're right about most owners. But for some owners the ego trip has to be part of it too. And for some of them it's a genuine passion. I think George Steinbrenner fit that description. Obviously you have to be rock solid financially to have the luxury of looking at it like that.

[Spudboy]

Yes but' date=' Someone could make him an offer that he couldn't refuse;)[/quote']

 

Sure. I can't argue that at all. Also, there is the issue of egos. It is a big deal to own a club at any level, especially a major league club that is so popular. But money is money and those guys feed their egos buy making deals that are very lucrative. I know a man that makes "only" $110, 000, 000. per year. He has much more money than he or his successors could ever find uses for. Yet he is driven to make more and more. It's a rush for him to achieve his goals. He is no different than you or I in that regard. He just has more zeros to the left of the decimal point than we do.

[Spudboy]

I'm sure you're right about most owners. But for some owners the ego trip has to be part of it too. And for some of them it's a genuine passion. I think George Steinbrenner fit that description. Obviously you have to be rock solid financially to have the luxury of looking at it like that.

 

Hah! I should have read the entire thread before posting!

[jacksonianmarch]

Well, there is the prestige portion, but Henry isnt a guy who really identifies himself as the Red Sox owner. George was known as the Yankees owner and most people didnt know he earned his fortune as a ship builder (well, his dad did) or that he was a businessman first. Henry is known as a savvy businessman who's owned a few teams and is always looking for the next big venture

[VA Sox Fan]

Hah! I should have read the entire thread before posting!

 

Getting married again soon huh? LOL, that would make me loopy too!

 

Seriously though, congrats Spud!

[SoxSport]

Business is good in Boston, the land of high ticket prices. Maybe the highest in the majors.

Henry will hold onto the team as long as it makes money. But he knows they have to make the playoffs this year, or those sellouts will be in danger. The clientele expects a winner.

[Bellhorn04]

Owning the Marlins isn't the same thing as owning the Red Sox. The Marlins are a business asset. The Red Sox are one of the crown jewels of sports franchises. The Marlins were a stepping stone to the top for Henry.

 

Mind you if things were to really go sour on the field for awhile I could see where things might change. A string of third place finishes, a couple more slips on the yacht, a story in the Globe about a spike in sales of pitchforks and torches, and yes, I could see him entertaining some offers.

[jacksonianmarch]

Yeah, but by then the asset in question has lost value. It's about taking what you feel is above market value at the height of its worth. It's just good business. Right now, he's probably making $50 million a year on the sox, why would he sell that?

[Bellhorn04]

Yeah' date=' but by then the asset in question has lost value. It's about taking what you feel is above market value at the height of its worth. It's just good business. Right now, he's probably making $50 million a year on the sox, why would he sell that?[/quote']

 

Right now might be the ideal time to sell.

 

Maybe I'm just playing devil's advocate here, but my main point is that we don't really know if the Sox represent anything more than a great business investment to Henry. I think it's a possibility that it does mean more than that to him, and that he was being honest when he said he intends to keep the team at least another ten years. Just my take.

[Tulkinghorn]

I think holding on to the RS was a goal through the 100th year of Fenway.....huge money was put into the team so that the RS may have gotten the WS rings for the 2010 season to complete the celebration.

 

Now I wonder if keeping below the Luxury tax is important in order to make the team more sellable.

 

These guys has owned teams previously and then moved on....why would the RS be any different for them?

 

 

 

Why would they want to sell?

[a700hitter]

Why would they want to sell?

Big $ capital gain taxable at a rate that is likely to go up after 2012.

[JohnShaft]

Yeah' date=' but by then the asset in question has lost value. It's about taking what you feel is above market value at the height of its worth. It's just good business. Right now, he's probably making $50 million a year on the sox, [b']why would he sell that[/b]?

 

So he could make more money with a different investment. I don't know the value of your club but lets say he had a hundred million in equity tied up in it and it's returning him say 15% a year without much capital growth or, more to the point, without much hope of real capital growth. Baseball is not getting any richer is it, i.e. its not opening up new markets at any real rate of knots. They also own Liverpool Football Club which is in a market that has huge growth potential with opportunities for negotiating individual tv rights in Asia which is worth billions. If you want gold you go where the gold is and right now in the world of sport thats top premier league teams in England and Liverpool desperatly need a new stadium to increase corporate revenues and that requires investment of circa half a billion dollars.

[Elktonnick]

So he could make more money with a different investment. I don't know the value of your club but lets say he had a hundred million in equity tied up in it and it's returning him say 15% a year without much capital growth or' date=' more to the point, without much hope of real capital growth. Baseball is not getting any richer is it, i.e. its not opening up new markets at any real rate of knots. They also own Liverpool Football Club which is in a market that has huge growth potential with opportunities for negotiating individual tv rights in Asia which is worth billions. If you want gold you go where the gold is and right now in the world of sport thats top premier league teams in England and Liverpool desperatly need a new stadium to increase corporate revenues and that requires investment of circa half a billion dollars.[/quote']

 

Forbes estimates the Red Sox to be valued at just under 1 billion dlrs. Given the Dodgers and Mets financial issues it is probably the second most valued baseball franchise right now. Although the Dodgers were traditionally considered the second most valuable in baseball, the sale price will be interesting to see if it lives up to expectations.

 

JH and his partners got a real bargain in Liverpool. Traditionally Liverpool was one of the most valued premier division clubs worth just under a billion. Because of Liverpool's financial mess JH was able to buy Liverpool for about 500 million. BTW most financial experts estimate that Man U is the most valuable sports franchise in the world, more than either the Yankees and Cowboys. I suspect Real Madrid is right up there as well. If Henry and his group can find another opportunity like Liverpool why wouldn't they consider selling the Red Sox to advantage of that opportunity?

[ForeverYoung]

Honestly, I think the luxury tax limit that Ben has placed on this off-season is mainly in place so that next year we can go out and try and get some big guns. Have you seen the 2013 Free Agent Starting Pitching list? It is very loaded and I think we will make a legitimate run at a couple of these players and if we exceed the limits this year we will get hit with a gigantic penalty when we exceed it in 2013.

 

So I think he is looking to get someone to eat 200 innings and hope that our offense can power enough games to carry the Starting pitchers. Also, I think he is banking on one of the "reclamation" projects (right-handers Brandon Duckworth, Charlie Haeger, Will Inman, Doug Mathis, Tony Pena Jr., Carlos Silva and Chorye Spoone; left-handers Jesse Carlson, Rich Hill and Justin Thomas) making the starting rotation. I see him trying to patch a starting rotation together with assets he already signed, and Platooning Sweeny and Kalish (When healthy) in RF and than making a run at a big name next year.

 

Possible Starting Pitchers in 2013 Free Agent Class:

Starting Pitchers

Scott Baker *

Joe Blanton

Matt Cain

Fausto Carmona *

Kevin Correia

John Danks

Jorge De La Rosa *

R.A. Dickey *

Scott Feldman *

Gavin Floyd *

Zack Greinke

Jeremy Guthrie

Cole Hamels

Dan Haren *

Tim Hudson *

Colby Lewis

Francisco Liriano

Kyle Lohse

Derek Lowe

Shaun Marcum

Daisuke Matsuzaka

Brandon McCarthy

Brett Myers *

Carl Pavano

Jake Peavy *

Anibal Sanchez

Jonathan Sanchez

Ervin Santana *

Joe Saunders

James Shields *

Jake Westbrook *

Randy Wolf *

Carlos Zambrano *

 

Outfielders

Michael Bourn

Marlon Byrd

Melky Cabrera

Matt Diaz

Andre Ethier

Curtis Granderson *

Josh Hamilton

Torii Hunter

Carlos Lee

Angel Pagan

Carlos Quentin

Aaron Rowand

Luke Scott

Ryan Spilborghs

Ichiro Suzuki

B.J. Upton

Shane Victorino

Reggie Willits

Delmon Young

* – player whose current contract includes 2013 option

[Muggah]

Forbes estimates the Red Sox to be valued at just under 1 billion dlrs. Given the Dodgers and Mets financial issues it is probably the second most valued baseball franchise right now. Although the Dodgers were traditionally considered the second most valuable in baseball, the sale price will be interesting to see if it lives up to expectations.

 

JH and his partners got a real bargain in Liverpool. Traditionally Liverpool was one of the most valued premier division clubs worth just under a billion. Because of Liverpool's financial mess JH was able to buy Liverpool for about 500 million. BTW most financial experts estimate that Man U is the most valuable sports franchise in the world, more than either the Yankees and Cowboys. I suspect Real Madrid is right up there as well. If Henry and his group can find another opportunity like Liverpool why wouldn't they consider selling the Red Sox to advantage of that opportunity?

 

 

IMO, they would in a heartbeat. There's nothing left for them to do here. The sooner they go the better.

[ibot2much]

Why would they want to sell?

 

 

I don't know. Why would they not? and I don't know that one either . It was just a discussion point.

[Gringo]

He'll sell Liverpool before he sells The Red Sox. He's getting a nice dose of the harsh reality of owning a Premier League soccer club in England.

 

Major drama at that club this season too. He can't escape it!