Forbes: Sox Worth $692M

[Marty34]

With the way this team makes money there's no excuse for the playoff drought they've been in. Team is a sleeping giant.

 

Complete List

[Chicago White Sox]

Again, that's operating income, not net income.

 

Regardless, what is your point? They can raise payroll by $20 million? I still don't see how we're a "sleeping giant".

[caulfield12]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9104778/...-average-values

 

 

Except for the fact that every team in baseball is SIMILARLY rising.

 

The Dodgers inked a SEVEN BILLION dollar local t.v. deal.

 

Our Comcast contract doesn't come up for renewal for another six years.

 

Even the Groupon Marlins are worth $520 million, according to Forbes.

[caulfield12]

Again, that's operating income, not net income.

 

Regardless, what is your point? They can raise payroll by $20 million? I still don't see how we're a "sleeping giant".

 

Because adding Josh Hamilton or Zach Greinke would automatically get the Sox into the playoffs.

 

Btw, how well did that work for the Dodgers last season? They didn't exactly clinch an NL playoff berth with all their payroll additions.

 

Fire KW! Fire Hahn for not spending! Fire JR from Board of Directors! ETC.

Edited March 27, 2013 by caulfield12

[southsider2k5]

Again, that's operating income, not net income.

 

Regardless, what is your point? They can raise payroll by $20 million? I still don't see how we're a "sleeping giant".

 

They can't be broke, they still have checks!

[Marty34]

Again, that's operating income, not net income.

 

Regardless, what is your point? They can raise payroll by $20 million? I still don't see how we're a "sleeping giant".

 

When the Sox put 30K a night in that park for a 3-4 year stretch they'll be swimming in money. Operating income of $23M with an average of 24K while having a $115M payroll is pretty impressive.

[caulfield12]

When the Sox put 30K a night in that park for a 3-4 year stretch they'll be swimming in money. Operating income of $23M with an average of 24K while having a $115M payroll is pretty impressive.

 

 

That's because of the higher average ticket prices, Chicago media market (I'm not sure exactly how they split co-ownership of Comcast and ad revenue there exactly), controlling all their own concessions/parking, the low taxes or even subsidies based on attendance for the stadium and the ongoing diversification of revenue streams, to the point where attendance-driven revenues are only 25-30% of the total picture.

[southsider2k5]

When the Sox put 30K a night in that park for a 3-4 year stretch they'll be swimming in money. Operating income of $23M with an average of 24K while having a $115M payroll is pretty impressive.

 

So if they can do something they have done once or twice (depending on if you want to use the 3 or 4 year standard) in the franchise's history, everything will be great. Well that kinda goes without saying. If housing prices went back to the 2007 levels, things in our economy would be great too.

[Marty34]

So if they can do something they have done once or twice (depending on if you want to use the 3 or 4 year standard) in the franchise's history, everything will be great. Well that kinda goes without saying. If housing prices went back to the 2007 levels, things in our economy would be great too.

 

There's no point to being in the middle as they have been. Bump the payroll and compete for the division.

[southsider2k5]

There's no point to being in the middle as they have been. Bump the payroll and compete for the division.

 

If they are as bad as you say they are, an extra $20 million wasn't going to save them. The problem is that cutting the other way would have hurt them for a decade or more.

[Marty34]

If they are as bad as you say they are, an extra $20 million wasn't going to save them. The problem is that cutting the other way would have hurt them for a decade or more.

 

What if I'm wrong? They could easily afford another $30M on this payroll.

 

[caulfield12]

They're building the right way.

 

If Hawkins and Thompson continue to progress and are everyday players in late 2014, then the major area/s of concern will be replacing some of the infield, particularly Konerko/Dunn at 1B (probably Viciedo) and they'll still have Keppinger around.

 

Who knows what will happen with Ramirez and Beckham, or Flowers, for that matter.

 

But they're more than one player away from being able to match up with the Tigers on an even basis.

 

Then you have to factor in Mitchell, Walker and Carlos Sanchez, to name a few.

 

Eventually, we'll have to trade from our outfield depth, and maybe DeAza also has to go as he becomes more expensive and injury-prone.

 

Having Adam Dunn playing 1B everyday in 2014 isn't a great option.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[caulfield12]

What if I'm wrong? They could easily afford another $30M on this payroll.

 

 

Then we're back in post 2011 mode and semi-rebuilding and having to shed payroll out of desperation or stuck with awful contracts that are difficult to unload.

 

Adding 2-3 $10-15 million players to the payroll is definitely not the answer.

 

It's developing young players who are cost-controlled and continuing to hit with their bargain shopping strategy.

[Balta1701]

Maybe they could invest those profits into cutting ticket prices for 2013? That'd help a lot of fans.

[ScottyDo]

When the Sox put 30K a night in that park for a 3-4 year stretch they'll be swimming in money. Operating income of $23M with an average of 24K while having a $115M payroll is pretty impressive.

One thing that would ensure this doesn't happen is tearing down completely and accidentally becoming the Astros.

[caulfield12]

Maybe they could invest those profits into cutting ticket prices for 2013? That'd help a lot of fans.

 

 

Then there would be complaints we were eroding or devaluing the "core fan product" by lowering ticket prices...leading to more fans and the ones with the suites and box seats having to compete more in concession lines or parking further away or having to wait an extra 15-20 minutes to get out on the expressway after the games.

[Balta1701]

Then there would be complaints we were eroding or devaluing the "core fan product" by lowering ticket prices...leading to more fans and the ones with the suites and box seats having to compete more in concession lines or parking further away or having to wait an extra 15-20 minutes to get out on the expressway after the games.

Dude...they actually lowered ticket prices this year. That was the point.

[iamshack]

Paging DA, paging DA

[caulfield12]

Dude...they actually lowered ticket prices this year. That was the point.

 

 

That WAS my POINT. No matter what they do, even with lowered prices, there would still be a complaint about that from SOMEONE.

[Chicago White Sox]

Also, the Sox's opening day payroll is going to be about $20 million higher than last year and Hahn has indicated they still have a little money to play with. It seems to me that the organization is reinvesting its higher earning power back into the team.

Edited March 28, 2013 by Chicago White Sox

[southsider2k5]

Also, the Sox's opening day payroll is going to be about $20 million higher than last year and Hahn has indicated they still have a little money to play with. It seems to me that the organization is reinvesting its higher earning power back into the team.

 

So the Sox made $23 million, cut ticket and parking prices, and raised payroll $20 million. I wonder why only one of these things were brought up in the first post in the thread?

[Marty34]

Don't you think that $23M could have gotten them a division title if it was used last year?

Edited March 28, 2013 by Marty34

[Balta1701]

Don't you think that $23M could have gotten them a division title if it was used last year?

Scrolling through the FA's who signed last year...they would have had to have picked the perfect guy, a guy who outplayed his contract significantly. The only guy who signed a contract for less than $23 million who would have been a substantial upgrade of nearly 3 wins at any position is Josh Willingham, who turned out to be one of the best signings of the year last year.

 

None of the 3b who signed for less than that amount would have made up 3 wins. Aramis Ramirez would have made a difference, but he signed for $36 million for 3 years, so $23 million alone doesn't do it. Hell, Nick Punto got $3 million last year and hit .219.

[hogan873]

There's no point to being in the middle as they have been. Bump the payroll and compete for the division.

Bump the payroll and spend it on what? One impact bat? One starting pitcher? A couple bullpen guys? It's easy to say spend more, and the team will be better. But we all know that isn't necessarily true. What happens if the Sox spend an extra $20 million and still don't make the playoffs? Sell and start over? Spend more? Ask the Miami Marlins how spending a bunch of money worked out for them.

[Dick Allen]

Don't you think that $23M could have gotten them a division title if it was used last year?

Depends on how it was spent. Where are you with the Sox? You complain they give Ramirez and Danks their contracts, then complain they don't hand out more of the same.

 

I do agree, if they chose, they could spend more and not go broke. The only source that ever has stated they break even is the White Sox, and they certainly aren't going to mention while they play in a publicly funded stadium with a sweatheart deal and fans that complain about everything, that they are turning a decent profit year after year. I also think the payroll is at a level now, where it is reasonable for them to win.

Edited March 28, 2013 by Dick Allen