The $90 Million Dollar Question

"Is $90 Million Enough For a New York Sports Team?"

I think most Met fans have seen that the 2012 estimated payroll for the Mets is around $90 Million Dollars. Thats nearly $90 Million more than I have in my bank account, but at the same time... it seems like nothing.

Looking at 2011 Team Payroll Figures: Link
The Mets at or above the level of the other major market teams. Sure... the Yankees, Phillies, Red Sox, White Sox and Cubs spent more... but the Mets are at least appearing like they play in a city with lots of people, lots of money, and lots of love for the sport of Baseball. $90 Million puts the Mets well below the rest of the major markets and amongst the ranks of the Milwaukee Brewers. Do the Wilpons think that the City of New York is not capable of supporting a team more expensive than the City of Beer and Cheese?

The Disturbing Trend is Easy to Spot:

2008: #2, $138 Mil
2009: #2, $149 Mil
2010: #5, $134 Mil
2011: #7, $119 Mil
2012: $90 Mil

Brian Costa:

"After today's signings, Mets projected to start 2012 with a payroll somewhere in the range of $90 million, down from $143 million in 2011."

So The Question Is:

Should The Wilpons Be Allowed To Own The Mets?

The short answer is no. So is the long answer, but it involves a bit more ranting. Many of you can guess what the next block of text will be about so if it doesn't interest you, just skip the RED text. When we some of you were young your parents may have given in to your demands to get a dog on the condition that you take care of it. You'd need to walk it and feed it and brush it every day. Most kids who duped their parents into this deal would know that their parents would still end up doing most of the work. What the Wilpons are doing is no different than being a snot-nosed kid who wants the puppy... but none of the work. They own a franchise that we, as fans, support. We buy tickets and merchandise, watch games on TV and make them money. In return they are supposed to infuse the team with an appropriate amount of that money so the team we, as fans, are watching is still relevant and good. Instead they are using the team to make money without regarding the fans. Should the Wilpons be allowed to own the Mets? NO!

Now that I have that off my chest I need to explain a major issue. The Wilpons WILL lose ownership of the Mets. It's only a matter of time. While the Wilpons own the Mets, it will be like swimming in ski boots. Sure if you are a strong swimmer or naturally buoyant you can keep your head above the water, but it's a pretty dumb thing to do and eventually you're going to drown.

NOTE: Whether the Wilpons needed to pay $1 Billion or $386 Million I never thought they still had the money to pay. Eventually... 2013... 2014... 2021... they WILL lose this team. The longer they hold on, the worse things will get. Bud Selig should step in within the next year and do something or loyal fans will jump ship.

My Two Birds With One Stone:

Governor Christie of New Jersey recently stated that he'd leave politics to help run his New York Mets. Frankly, Christie being a Met fan fills me with a small amount of revulsion but I'll soldier on. Yet, let us say that a new ownership board is formed and that they chose Chris as their President of Operations. Not only would this get the Wilpons out of my baseball team, it would get Christie out of my state's government.

While I loathe Christie's policy of attacking education as a vile and cancerous growth on the country. I highly doubt that his hatred of educators would matter much in the baseball world. In fact, his no nonsense swagger that makes him such a popular Republican would probably be welcomed by Met fans (Conservative and Liberal alike). I also would bet that the NJEA would kick in a little money to help get Christie out of Trenton and into Flushing.

P.S.

If the Governor's staffers happen to read this, I'd love it if you could get moving on doing something for the residents of Little Falls, NJ BEFORE the Flood of 2012.