Hockey fans will often think that if they were running the team they would do it differently. But the lucky thing is that they aren't heads of Fortune 500 companies. Sports are unfortunately no longer based on wins and losses, but only on turning a profit. Therefore, an owner of a professional sports team must make payroll to continue along. But if the fans somehow supported a change and took a more active role in managing a team, I would say this is the proletarian uprising.
My Own Hockey Team is looking for investors from hockey fans who are willing to be a stock holder in a business venture to decide to purchase a minor hockey franchise. Here is their mission statement as it is read on their website.
MyOwnHockeyTeam is setting out to create the first fan owned and managed Professional Ice Hockey Team. Web technology allows a group collective thinking and decision making process, making active fan participation a reality.I do not believe that this business model will work because there will be too much input and infighting to get anything done. Each trade proposal would first have to clear a stock owners poll and secondly, it would be tough to keep all owners on the same boat by not getting alienated.
Together we will purchase a professional ice hockey franchise, and guide it to victory.
Remember that bid that the Tampa Bay Lightning entertained by a plethora of investors? Well, the word is that one investor is suing another for not coming up with his end of the money as well as operating alone according to the article. If this goes on with a smaller group than what MyOwnHockeyTeam is proposing.
One share one vote is the motto for this business model, but did you know that $14 of your $59 donation goes to the maintenance fees of the website which is the two Toronto-based canuckleheads Robbie and Vlad. No mention on the FAQ that the money is refundable should owning a pro team not occur.
Don't bother signing up with this, dear readers. It sounds like a big scam to me.
2 comments:
Hi Hockey Fanatic -
As much as I completely agree with you that the business model of MyHockeyTeam is flawed, there is a precedent behind it.
The Green Bay Packers are owned by the citizens of Green Bay. They are shareholders and the organization has meetings and listen to the state of the franchise.
However, they were smart enough to hire a GM to deal with the day-to-day football operations end of it. If any corporation had it in their gullet to move the Packers, they would have to speak to the shareholders of the Packers, which is the community at large of Green Bay, which makes that small market team go.
This organization to buy the minor league outfit doesn't come close to that model.
Hi Micheal,
Thank you for your coverage on us. It is the nay-sayers that help us modify our model towards success.
To address your concerns:
I do not believe that this business model will work because there will be too much input and infighting to get anything done. Each trade proposal would first have to clear a stock owners poll and secondly, it would be tough to keep all owners on the same boat by not getting alienated.
To say that the collective cannot make sound decisions is to go against the very principals your glorious nation was founded. We appreciate that not all members are well informed which is why there will be a panel of 3-5 advisers who will review all options and present only sound possibilities for the members to vote on. They will educate and advise, helping all to become better at the game.
Second re: money. $45 of the $59 is being transfered to a Toronto based lawyer who will keep funds in escrow until we are ready to purchase a team. Should we not raise enough money members have the option of a refund, via paypal. It's all easy modern technology. The balance ($14) goes to website development and advertising for the venture, and unfortunately cannot be refunded. Perhaps a $14 risk is too much for you to handle, but for the masses is it merely the cost of a meal.
We are available should you like to discuss the issue further, and again, we appreciate you noticing our goal. We have noted your concerns and made the replies more available to members, so they do not, as you did, miss the point. $14 gives you the chance to be part of something that could change hockey forever!
In the end we are just hockey fans, like yourself, with a dream of owning a winning team.
Cheers,
Vlad Heger - vlad@myownhockeyteam.com
Founder - MyOwnHockeyTeam.com
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