Reality Bytes - Why there will be no DP this offseason
by Fuzion on Jan 5, 2012 7:27 AM CST
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One of the best things about being a Dynamo fan is our players give 200% on the field -- yes, this is mathematically an impossibility, however, none of us would argue they do indeed give a full 200% -- except perhaps the occasional Right Midfielder/Winger from say Jamaica, not to single any one specific player out or anything. One of the worst things is the reality of a team built around the team concept, and shying away from the one big name, big time superstar. I hit on this a little bit a few days ago in a comment reply, but I wanted to offer up the discussion as I can see it becoming something of a debate/discussion between not only our favorite commenters, but also our Staff. Follow me after the jump for an in depth look at why I believe we should place our hopes on a DP to the side and focus on the here and now.
AEG selling off their shares could happen before the season, and this would be an absolute boon for the Dynamo and their faithful. However, I suspect this season will continue as previous seasons have, just without any attempt to mask the lack of an attempt to sign a DP-level salaried player.
The Dynamo as they stand now are profitable in the local infrastructure, because they are backed by businesses and the fandom at large. Why mess with what works? Integrating a DP into the fold would only increase fan support at this juncture minimally. The team is full of guys the fans can and do relate to, such as Geoff Cameron and the Boz. The fans also love their Head Coach, who just inked a brand new 3-year extension on his contract.
Top all of this off with moves which make business sense, such as the well-masked release of Brian Ching, who while being a fan favorite was also the heaviest salary on the team, and the relative lack of any big contracts outside of Brad Davis. You begin to see a clearer picture when you also combine everything else with the sheer fact any incoming ownership would have a desire to immediately make an impact, to gain the trust and support of the fans from the get-go. It is a much more likable prospect if the team has no DP in place, and the new ownership comes in and brings one in -- no matter who this DP is or what position they play.
The cauldron boils and bubbles, and the crystal ball clears when you take the time to step back and view it from the perspective of a non-Dynamo fan (this was hard as hell for me to swallow, mind you). It's just not fathomable to expect anything less than disappointment when it comes to a DP player over this offseason, unless AEG sells their shares of ownership before the Winter transfer window really hits hard. Based on the lack of any speculation as to any ownership changes, I can safely say this is our reality.
There may be changes, minor and small, even a Draft pick or two. This team, the one before you now, is probably the majority of what you will see next season. Most likely, it is also not going to include a DP, and while it saddens me as a fan, it does excite me as well. The opportunity to have a very sellable franchise to a new ownership group, and to cobble that with the opportunity to bring in their guy. I have goosebumps.
It might take the entirety of this season, but it spells great things going forward. While I want to have the DP now, I can wait. I'd rather have a great DP, than another Landin DP. And that is something we can all agree on.
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Another reason this is actually a good thing
Look at where the Dynamo as they currently are went, how far they drove. They have the makeup to be very solid and very formidable, especially with a healthy Davis. If we can get needed depth, and do so on the cheap, then I believe they can compete as they are.
After all, let’s not fool ourselves…we have the best DP money could buy…
Brad “MV” Davis
-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog
We did touch on this
we are the footballing equivalent of Daryl Morey and the Houston Rockets: a team stocked with quality talent and depth, but one star-level talent (in our case a full-on All-Star in Brad Davis) and in need of another star-level talent.
First, I sadly agree with you and the spirit of the article. The fan in me knows we need a DP, or perhaps a DP-level talent to ensure that we are head-and-shoulders-above-the-rest contenders this year. Our defense is stout (though could be worryingly thin), and we have some very good midfield players, but we need someone who can create for himself and others aside from Davis. Camargo has shown that its possible, but he seems much more comfortable as a CM/DM, though he may have worked at it this offseason and could pleasantly surprise us in pre-season training. All that aside, AEG is angling to sell their ownership stake so they’re going to be smart and reduce expenses as much as possible while increasing and solidifying revenue streams to make it an attractive sell to any investor/owner. All this points to not wanting to splurge on a large, potentially multi-year salary. So unfortunately I do have to concede, grudgingly, that they likely won’t splurge for a DP.
The bright side is, we have Davis and he should be at 100%, and we’re going to need it. The other bright spot is that it doesn’t necessarily take DP talent: Moffat and Camargo are testaments to that. Moffat is cheap-as-chips and Camargo is above-average in terms of MLS salary (I thought he was like ~$180K) but I think its obvious to anyone his presence on the ball and his passing made a huge impact late in the season. And this is where I’m encouraged: if we find one or two talents like this we’re still a contender and perhaps that standout contender. Imagine if we get Alvaro Sanchez and he turns out to be Camargo-esque talent; I don’t imagine his salary is DP-level (it strikes me as being in the ballpark of Camargo’s salary) and we could potentially get very, very good talent at the CAM spot. Combine that with our current squad and we have a very dangerous-looking team. At that point we just need quality signings (Nathan Sturgis, assuming he pans out as hoped) and we have a solid, stacked squad with some excellent bright spots (Davis, Camargo and perhaps Sanchez?). Factor in some of our young talent that I’m sure will get more minutes this year (Sarkodie, Dixon & Soto) and it helps alleviate the need to look for DP-level talent.
So its not what we would certainly hope, but at the same time if Canetti and crew can continue their run of signings there’s no need for complete despair (this is aimed mostly at myself).
A Boon For The Dynamo And Their Faithful?
Would AEG divesting itself of it’s 50% investment in the team really be a boon for the Dynamo?
As we all know, the main reason that the downtown stadium is being built is because the Dynamo (AEG) wanted to maximize their revenue stream by escaping the Robertson tenant relationship and being able to profit from all sources of revenue that come from owning your own venue.
If AEG sells it’s 50% in the team – the team becomes a tenant once again. The lease agreement between the sports authority and Dynamo Stadium LLC refer to a sublease between Dynamo Stadium LLC and Dynamo Soccer Club LLC. As it stands now – AEG benefits from whatever revenues the stadium provides and whatever revenues the Soccer team receive.
I assume that the club receives the majority of its revenue from ticket sales and whatever is shared from MLS or SUM, but without having access to the lease agreement between the stadium and the team we have no way of knowing if a real tenant relationship between a non AEG owned team and the stadium would be a detriment or profitable.
As for a DP – it took LA 5 years and 3 DP’s to get the cup. Thus far we’ve been there 3 times without a DP.
Nice
I only finished one cup of coffee this morning but effectively you’re saying that if AEG sells its ownership stake in the Dynamo then AEG’s revenues would come from any tenant agreements (Dynamo SC LLC and TSU, for example) as owners of the stadium, correct? I wonder, though, if they do sell (hopefully) are they entitled to any monies from the naming rights deal with BBVA Compass? Was that a deal with the AEG (through their ownership of Dynamo) since AEG owns the stadium or with Dynamo SC LLC, and therefore the Club is entitled to those monies from naming rights?
And yes, it took 3X our payroll to take the Cup. Well done LAG? I like our chances next season :)
You'd have to see the Lease
I would think that the naming rights are between Dynamo Stadium LLC (wholly owned by AEG) and BBVA Compass and that the revenue from that naming deal goes directly to the owners of the stadium. Dynamo Soccer Club LLC is a tenant of Dynamo Stadium LLC.
I guess you’d really have to see the lease agreement to see which entity actually gets the other Stadium revenues like parking, concessions, etc but as privately held entities I don’t think that either party has an obligation to disclose that.
If AEG does divest itself of the team, and that was their goal all along – it kind of bothers me that they used the team to get fans involved in the political process of petitioning City, County etc – so that AEG could get a venue built.
Or perhaps I should just be grateful that come May 12th I’ll be sitting in my comfortable seats watching my Dynamo win the first game in our new stadium.
by Nigel Brooks on Jan 5, 2012 10:15 AM CST up reply actions
Hmmm
I’m starting to feel more and more snookered by the minute. If that is the case (and I suppose we’ll never really know because as you point out that there is no obligation to divulge) then we – and really, I’m talking more about myself – got all aflutter about naming rights and how it’ll boost the team coffers to help finance a signing but really, it just went to AEG’s pocket. So they REALLY get a sweet deal because they get all the benefits – revenue from tenants, 10-year revenue from naming rights – and none of the hassle of worrying about investing in a professional sports team.
Fair enough, I suppose, that it did take AEG’s investment to get the stadium built (and I can’t wait to enjoy those fruits) but from the perspective of the Dynamo Club (which we care more about rather than AEG), its a double-edged sword of a position.
Most ownerships coming in would require AEG to also sell their stake in the Dynamo Stadium LLC
Otherwise they would say “no deal”, and AEG will be left continuing to look infinitely for a new ownership group.
No incoming ownership group or individual would be without financial advisement, and no financial entity would agree to such ludicrous terms.
-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog
Perhaps
it just wouldn’t shock me that AEG would haggle over that…but you are right, if I’m an owner or ownership group I want that revenue stream (naming rights) because it is a multi-year deal. Anyways, I really wish this would happen soon but I know these things take time, even when we’re talking about the 1% and how they splash their cash.
Glad you're seeing the light here
-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog
ive never had a huge desire for a DP
From a business perspective it doesn’t make much sense. There aren’t many players who can move the ticket needle on their own, and any temporary bump in ticket sales won’t last unless the team performs. An over the hill “star” whose heart might not be in it isn’t going to do any good unless their is a solid team around with enough depth to keep starters fresh/survive injuries and pile up wins.
Plus It’s hard to keep chemistry where it needs to be if you have a player or two making big bucks while others starters are making 30k. Just look at New York…either the red bulls or the jets if you don’t think chemistry is important.
The league said years ago they wanted to get away from one owner owning multiple teams. I have zero doubt that the plan all along was for AEG to sell once the stadium situation was settled. I don’t expect them to invest in a DP now, and that doesn’t bother me in the least. It also explains why they never got the big name DP in the past if the plan was indeed to sell. I can at least understand it, even if I don’t like it.
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
by papabear on Jan 5, 2012 1:11 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Also not worried about a DP
One of the things I like about our club is that it’s a dedicated bunch of regular guys making it happen on pure grit. I hate the Yankees b/c they buy their team- Real Madrid same thing. Look at what we did without a DP and in a rebuilding year. I don’t need stars on my team; I need guys that play for each other, work together, and put the team and the fans above themselves. I feel like we have that right now-no need to go messing that up.
For me
its not about having a DP because everyone else has one, its much more about the level of quality & talent that should come along with a DP-level talent. And to me, yes, we need either someone near or on that level to become perhaps what could be called an “elite” team. For instance, part (and I emphasize “part”) of why we struggled early this season and against LAG in the Cup was our reliance on Davis: he is DP-level talent in terms of what he brings to the team offensively. However, once you key your defense on him his output becomes a bottleneck because no one else on the team can create for himself or others. If we add someone else (preferably a CAM) WITH talent, you then have a two-pronged attack which can distribute the ball in an attacking manner which makes it far more difficult for an opposing team to defend. I realize this is a wordy preface to say that aside from a handful of players in MLS, those who can create for themselves in terms of quality is limited. To get better talent, you have to look internationally and that typically raises the price. For me, that’s the only reason to consider getting a DP; in particular, I’ve mentioned getting talent from Brazil or Argentina. Of course its a risk in terms of they may not pan out but by spending the money you’re getting (or supposed to be, anyways) a higher level of talent than what you have.
Now, I agree that because of circumstances it likely won’t happen and even without DP talent we’re still MLS Cup Runners-Up, which is nothing to sniff at. And yes, we can still get talent without having to pay DP prices, its just more of a risk in terms of getting quality on the cheap.
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