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Hacksaw’s Thursday Podcast
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“PADRES–CHANGING OF THE GUARD”
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What a week of news with the Padres.
What a reaction in the community.
First the hiring of Criag Stammen as manager.
Now the stunning farewell, with the Seidler Family announcing the franchise is ‘4-Sale’
An ever-changing landscape of activity from the front office at Petco Park.
The announcement comes 48-hours after USA-Today reported the team has money issues.
The decide to sell came months after President Erik Greupner said ownership was here to stay.
Alot of diverse reaction within the first hours after the announcement was confirmed.
The emotion of the fans was everywhere.
MONEY GRAB…The Seidler’s have hiked up ticket prices 57% in 5-years, many believe to recoup all the money that legendary owner Peter Seidler allowed GM-AJ Preller to burn thru. The 3.43M-fans, a record season, did not seem against paying the prices for the wins and good times at Petco Park.
FINANCES..I find it hard to fathom they have cash flow problems, but they are facing big pay bumps and long guarantees for 8-veterans. Not going deep in the playoffs cost them additional revenue the group of years. The high payroll and the luxury tax adds up. The big issue, the erosion of the 60M a year TV rights fee years ago, and despite going to MLB, they are getting 50% of those fees in recents years. That’s alot of money gone missing-yet to be remade.
BETRAYAL..Why the turn-around? Reality probably. A non baseball family has decided to exit the sport they have no experience running. Peter Seidler’s vision of greatness has pretty much arrived, just short of getting to the World Series. The franchise could bring a massive payoff, in excess of 2B-which is quite a haul compared to the 800M-purchase price when Peter took over control of the team.
FANS & MEDIA…The pushback has been strong and that is understandable, because it is a surprise. But the Seidler accomplishments have been superb considering what San Diego has experienced in the past decades.
WHAT’S NEXT..Set aside the rumblings of labor trouble in 2027. Record revenue, attendance, TV ratings, this is now a viable franchise. This ownership group should call Stan Kroenke, sports empire owner of the Rams-Nuggets-Avalanche-Soccer-So Fi Stadium, to see if he is interested. Joseph Tsai, owner of the Brooklyn Nets, has expressed interest in baseball. So has Jeff Bezos. Anybody want to talk to young phenom Theo Espstien about becoming part of ownership. You’re not buying Miami-Tampa-Pittsburgh. This is a red-hot commodity under the Seidler banner.
HISTORY…It should write nothing but favorable reviews of this ownership group. What they did on the field. What they did in the community. It is San Diego’s team. San Diego’s heart. The Padres own the town emotionally and financially now. It is because of Peter’s vision. History should remember Ray and Joan Kroc, saved the franchise from moving to Washington, DC. John Moores and Larry Lucchino rallied the team from the terrible Tom Werner era, and the Moores’ money and the Lucchino brilliance brought us Petco Park. And the Seidler family created an aura linked to big time baseball, big time stars, big money contracts, and big crowds at the corner of Tony and Trevor in the Gaslamp district.
TOMORROW…There is always hope. There is always next year. There should be a special thank you for what the Seidler stewardship meant to Padres baseball. The measure of a man is not just what he accomplished but whom he touched, influenced and changed. Peter Seidler checked off all the boxes. View him, and them. as ‘Forever Friar Friends’.
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