RebKell's Junkie Boards

[StevenHW]

https://elitesportsny.com/2018/08/09/exclusive-adam-silver-lisa-borders-discuss-the-future-of-the-new-york-liberty/

[lynxmania]

[Rock Hard]

The last time I checked in pro sports you need an abundance of parked buttocks in a big arena to make lots of money. Packing the house in a matchbox does not count.

_________________
You can win, as long as you keep your head to the SKY! Be OPTIMISTIC!

[Randy]

I think the fans that matter to Lisa are the ones showing up for the games (and ideally paying for tickets.)

[tfan]

[Rock Hard]

[pilight]

[SportsGuru]

[Rock Hard]

[Bob Lamm]

[myrtle]

She needs to read Queenie's article to see how a real Liberty fan feels...

I guess they pay her to be positive but there comes a point where it's ridiculous. Yes, Auschwitz is lovely - has a very intimate atmosphere...

_________________
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.
- Amanda Gorman

[root_thing]

The league needs a NY presence to maintain credibility. Not having a team in the city of your league office is embarrassing, and not having a franchise in the country's largest market is not a good look if you're selling sponsors on a brighter future. All they need the Liberty to do is breakeven. That will allow Dolan to fend off dissident stockholders who wonder why MSG is still hanging on to a money-losing operation after over 20 years.

Clearly, the arena rental is the team's biggest expense. The last estimate I could find for rental of MSG is from May, 1990. At that time, the rough estimate was $200,000 for a concert. If you adjust that by general inflation over 28 years, the updated estimate would be $390,000 per event. That's obviously opportunity cost, not operating expense, but it's nonetheless the way a businessman would evaluate things. So, we're talking about $6,630,000 for 17 games that the Liberty have to offset to make using the arena a "breakeven" proposition for MSG. Now, if you can rent WCC for a fraction of that amount -- say $1,000,000 per year -- then you might be able to cover all your costs (including salary, administration, sales, etc.) through TV money and sponsorships. Then box office money -- actual fans in seats -- just becomes gravy. You've become some kind of hybrid between the overseas sponsorship model and a TV show. As long as the league distributors (currently ESPN and Twitter) and local Liberty sponsors (Verizon, DraftKings, etc.) can live with this arrangement, then maybe the franchise can limp along this way for a few years. Meanwhile, you hope that a new owner emerges or that a sudden rise in popularity makes it viable to move to a better arena.

_________________
You can always do something else.

[CourtsideTix]

LOL at the two Dukies comparing the Liberty’s situation to a college team playing at Cameron.

[toad455]

More than anything they need new ownership. And whoever these new owner(s) are need to move them away from WCC. Brooklyn, Nassau, Newark(NJ), Philadelphia, as long as they can stay in or near the tri-state area I'm ok.

_________________
LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!

Twitter: @TBRBWAY

[NYSports56]

[toad455]

Well, it's probably easier to get to Philly from NYC than it is getting to Westchester.

_________________
LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!

Twitter: @TBRBWAY

[NYL_WNBA_FAN]

I honestly think the Liberty are staying here. I think Dolan is fine with them playing in WCC personally...in that he doesn't care...losses are probably minimal if at all. The Garden is free for other events and he can even do a couple of school/camp day games at MSG.

I had read way back when an article alluding to the idea that WCC would have to be renovated to become a longer-term option for the Libs. As if it had been discussed as an option. Can't remember what source. It was awhile ago. But point being, I could see renovating the place being a legit option from a standpoint that the place could then cater to more events. It wouldn't be just for the Libs. I'm not even concerned as much with making it markedly bigger as am I with altering the seating configuration so as not to have that many obstructed view seats.

If there were a way to do it, I honestly think Rose Hill (Fordham) would be a better option if all else remains the same. Yeah there's some bleachers and yeah it's a college. But you can fit 3,500-4,000 people and you wouldn't have a problem with obstructed views. Metro North literally stops right outside the campus and it's 20 minutes from Grand Central with not a terribly long walk to the gym. There's people on campus in the summer who would likely attend a game as well as a handful of Fordham summer programs that you could probably give discounted tickets to in order to draw crowds. Won't happen, but I honestly think it's a more desirable option.

I haven't been able to confirm this but is Dolan affiliated with or part owner of WCC?

_________________
The poster formerly known as LibWNBAFan.

[Shades]

Is this deja vu, because it seems like we already had this discussion before.

Found it.
http://boards.rebkell.net/viewtopic.php?t=92523&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=2078

_________________
Nnekalonians 1:14 - Thou shalt not accept that which is not earned

[Bob Lamm]

[PRballer]

The corporate heads of the NBA/WNBA are going to give this a positive spin. Why is that so surprising?

But yes - LOL to the Cameron comparison. Goodness.

The important thing is that the New York Liberty remain intact and right now it looks like it will for the foreseeable future under Dolan/MSG. If Borders is any good, she uses this borrowed time and secures a different buyer in the NYC market but in the meantime the Liberty are relegated to Westchester and try to break even for Dolan. It's just sad because I doubt they will do tons of investment in marketing/promotions and overall fan and franchise experience, i.e. will not be able to retain the best coaching nor attract free agents.

It's not great, but it's better than no Liberty franchise IMO.

[toad455]

Just a thought, but if Dolan's price is too much, could the league fold the team and then revive the Liberty under new ownership? This is assuming there's a group out there wanting the team but don't want to buy it under Dolan's terms.

_________________
LET'S GO LIBERTY!!!!!!

Twitter: @TBRBWAY

[Lib Fan]

[Randy]

[NYL_WNBA_FAN]

[Shades]