Socialism in American sports!

[Musky Master]

Canadians are often accussed of living in a semi-communist state with socialized medicine,etc. Interesting to note that one of the most successful NFL teams, Green Bay Packers, is owned by the community with profits going back into the club. Is this not a form of socialism? Why is it so successful in the land of capitolism and free enterprise?

[Packer Fan]

Say whaaaat? General Motors has 1000s of shareholders who get dividends, does that make GM a socialist company?

[Leechboy]

It is a form of socialism, if you want to define it that way. The team was started before football was a business, and got grandfathered in as community owned, thank god. I bet you wish the same were true for the Nordiques and Jets, eh?-lb

[musky master]

You have that right LeechBoy! The NHL team owners are strictly in it for the bucks with no regard to tradition and what is good for the sport. I have to congratulate the folks in Green Bay who had the foresight way back when to hang onto the team for the good of the community instead of turning over control to some money-grubbing s.o.b. who would have moved long ago to a bigger market. I believe that ticket prices in Green Bay are comparatively low to other cities.....just another benefit of socialism! Go Packers Go!

[Peanut]

"...just another benefit of socialism."

Well, that and the gazillion dollar TV deal the NFL has with its network partners. TV revenue, coupled with merchandise sales, which are also handled by the league through NFL Properties, mean that most of the teams have at least broken even each year before they sell a single seat.

I don't carry a flag for any political ideology, but let's not give too much credit or condemnation to either for the NFL's prosperity.

derrek.

"It's the weaseling out of things that sets us apart from the animals.... Except the weasel."
- H.J. Simpson

[sevenmmm]

There are shareholders who own the Packers just like shareholders who own the paper mills down the road.

[Leechboy]

Sevenmmm:
Who are those shareholders? My understanding was that if the team was sold all profits would go to a little local VFW. Now THAT would be quite a party...-lb

[ArtCo]

I think GM share holders have a say in what they can do with their dividens, so count me out as a socialist. LOL

[rock2me]

The Green Bay Packers are a part of the NFL - a true capitalist business. The NFL is one thing. Yes, there are teams some of which are owned by single owners, some by trusts, and some by corporations and the Packers. However, they are one business.

It has nothing to do with socialism. These "owners" are capitalizing on capitalism at it's best/worst.



Good Luck