11/05/24
November 03, 2005
Money, it's a gas. Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash. New car, caviar, four star daydream, think I'll buy me a football team.: John Nic is fed up with all the whining about Chelsea's millions. Could he talking about the Yankees or maybe Manchester United in the pre-Roman era? Does money really buy trophies or is it just the target of resentment for those who support teams with shallow pockets?
posted by Texan_lost_in_NY to soccer at 06:03 PM - 3 comments
Has it worked for the Red Sox or Yankees the last years? I know the RS won it all last year, but with the money both teams spend are'nt they supposed to be dynasties?
posted by volfire at 11:18 AM on November 04, 2005
I think the money lifted Chelsea from generally mid-table to the top tier--their last EPL title was 50 years ago--but they won't win everything every year any more than ManU did in 1998-2000 or so. Out of EPL, CL, FA and Carling Cups I wouldn't be surprised if they took at least one trophy most year for awhile though. Glazer could decide enough's enough and open the checkbook, Arsenal will have the big increase in revenue when the new stadium's built and who knows where else money will flow from over time, any of which would change the picture But, I mean, there's depth and then there's depth and Roman has given them the real thing. For now at least the Blues are two deep in all stars at every position. Duff and Crespo get injured, Robben moves up top and SWP takes the wing. Makelele gets a little old, Essien steps in. The only spot where maybe this isn't true is fullback, where Ferreira has clearly won the right side but Mourinho is still trying to figure out the left. No other team in the EPL, or elsewhere that I can see, comes close to Chelsea on this scale. In 2005. Next year or two, who knows?
posted by billsaysthis at 04:20 PM on November 04, 2005
I think it is fair to say that money buys a greater opportunity for trophies or championships. John Nicholson touches on this point with the quote, "Yes the money gives you a much bigger chance of success by allowing you to have strength in depth..." Does it guarantee success? Most definitely not, due to the overwhelming amount of variables associated with team sports. A cute point of note would be the difference in salary between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, which is about $80 million. What can $80 million buy? It bought the team that won the World Series. I would certainly enjoy a level playing field for the sports that I watch, but there's something to be enjoyed and said for the David and Goliath clashes in organized athletics. Who doesn't enjoy rooting for the underdog, on occasion? However, I can feel for the franchise owners and fans that have to struggle to contend with the Financial Goliaths of the Organized Sports World.