Can the Cards Afford to Compete?

[Harry]

What’s the concern; isn’t there a salary cap? Supposedly the existence of the cap means less wealthy teams will be protected. However, more and more I’m hearing rumblings that the extremely wealthy teams intend to find ways to expand that cap. Creative avoidance has always been practiced. However, there was enough pressure on compliance to restrain extreme cases. The sentiment to continue this restraint seems to be fading. There appears to be an increasing number of millionaires who are not used to being told “No.” The Cards may be in jeopardy. Their ownership rests principally with one family, as it has been traditionally. The team seems to be the primary source of income for that ownership. Other teams are owned by groups with financial resources coming from primarily outside the NFL.

With salaries exploding at record levels the pressure against the cap is rapidly increasing. How long with this hobby of millionaires be restrained by the concern of protecting their lessers? Who in the MLB feels sorry for Pittsburgh? Sooner or later the proverbial oscillating fan will get blemished. The Cards have worked diligently to build a competitive war chest to field a more competitive team this season. How long can the fans of this franchise feel secure the team can remain financially competitive?

However long will it be before rich, large city owners look at the Dodgers and ask, “Why can’t I have the best team money can buy?” These are not men who enjoy have their power restricted. Its a good time to remember, never say never. There seems to be a strengthening group of owners who want to play hardball. I can’t see the NFL allowing these owners to leave for greener pastures. They represent financial security. Sooner or later a breakout seems inevitable. It’s not a case of can the Cards compete? Perhaps it’s more a case of how long can the Cards compete?

 

[slanidrac16]

It’s befuddling. The cap is there. Teams have to spend a minimum amount. Yet supposedly we are strapped by a Bidwill ownership.
I remember in 2008 how the stands were packed and excitement was everywhere. I’m beginning to think Bidwill makes more money saving on the salary cap. A 1/3rd empty stadium seems to not make a difference.

I wonder how much changes when Bidwill made the huge mistake hiring Wilks and firing him one year later resulting in paying two entire staffs. Shortly after paying that off he extends Keim and Kingsbury only to fire them and again having to pay ( and still is) two staffs and two GM’s.

I imagine that restricts cash flow thus we have to wait. I’m probably wrong. But it appears it’s more profitable for Bidwill to play it safe rather than fill the stadium every week.

If that’s the case we will never be a real contender other than catching lightning in a bottle every 10 years.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Yes... they just choose not to.

 

[Stout]

Bidwill is cheap, end of. He could spend far more than he does without blunting the family wealth. He just doesn't want to. He knows he's set, has all the prestige and power he wants, and has no need to spend what is required to compete.

 

[slanidrac16]

Bidwill is cheap, end of. He could spend far more than he does without blunting the family wealth. He just doesn't want to. He knows he's set, has all the prestige and power he wants, and has no need to spend what is required to compete.

I can’t agree more. He makes more money with a 1/3 empty stadium than he does reaching for the brass ring. If you can do that then what is the incentive to spend money just to fill the stadium?

It’s a business and it’s always the bottom line.

 

[BirdGangThing]

if we had made the playoffs mikey might've busted out that wallet - not now tho - with nobody buying tickets

 

[slanidrac16]

if we had made the playoffs mikey might've busted out that wallet - not now tho - with nobody buying tickets

Build it and they will come. Not the other way around.

 

[kerouac9]

What’s the concern; isn’t there a salary cap? Supposedly the existence of the cap means less wealthy teams will be protected. However, more and more I’m hearing rumblings that the extremely wealthy teams intend to find ways to expand that cap. Creative avoidance has always been practiced. However, there was enough pressure on compliance to restrain extreme cases. The sentiment to continue this restraint seems to be fading. There appears to be an increasing number of millionaires who are not used to being told “No.” The Cards may be in jeopardy. Their ownership rests principally with one family, as it has been traditionally. The team seems to be the primary source of income for that ownership. Other teams are owned by groups with financial resources coming from primarily outside the NFL.

With salaries exploding at record levels the pressure against the cap is rapidly increasing. How long with this hobby of millionaires be restrained by the concern of protecting their lessers? Who in the MLB feels sorry for Pittsburgh? Sooner or later the proverbial oscillating fan will get blemished. The Cards have worked diligently to build a competitive war chest to field a more competitive team this season. How long can the fans of this franchise feel secure the team can remain financially competitive?

However long will it be before rich, large city owners look at the Dodgers and ask, “Why can’t I have the best team money can buy?” These are not men who enjoy have their power restricted. Its a good time to remember, never say never. There seems to be a strengthening group of owners who want to play hardball. I can’t see the NFL allowing these owners to leave for greener pastures. They represent financial security. Sooner or later a breakout seems inevitable. It’s not a case of can the Cards compete? Perhaps it’s more a case of how long can the Cards compete?

I think you're going to have to provide some more concrete examples. The NFL isn't going to relax the salary cap in future CBAs.

The comparison to the Pittsburgh Pirates is silly; baseball doesn't have a salary cap or floor. Teams like the Athletics are embarrassing nomads and no one cares.

I disagree with the assertion that "pressure against the cap is rapidly increasing." It seems like more teams than ever have excess cap space. There are only a handful of teams in "cap hell" this week.

 

[football karma]

after Mike, Monti and Gannon all using the word "aggressive", etc. in talking about the offseason --

what a gigantic let down it would be if we get an offseason of C+ kind of FA additions.

 

[slanidrac16]

after Mike, Monti and Gannon all using the word "aggressive", etc. in talking about the offseason --

what a gigantic let down it would be if we get an offseason of C+ kind of FA additions.

Prepare yourself.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I think you're going to have to provide some more concrete examples. The NFL isn't going to relax the salary cap in future CBAs.

The comparison to the Pittsburgh Pirates is silly; baseball doesn't have a salary cap or floor. Teams like the Athletics are embarrassing nomads and no one cares.

I disagree with the assertion that "pressure against the cap is rapidly increasing." It seems like more teams than ever have excess cap space. There are only a handful of teams in "cap hell" this week.

It pains me to say this but I 100% agree with K9. The NFL is a money making machine and I doubt that Owners want to mess with that too much. No need to kill the goose that lays golden eggs.

 

[BirdGangThing]

Build it and they will come. Not the other way around.

agree - but he hasn't busted out the wallet since the last time we (sorta) made the playoffs

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Bidwill is cheap, end of. He could spend far more than he does without blunting the family wealth. He just doesn't want to. He knows he's set, has all the prestige and power he wants, and has no need to spend what is required to compete.

The "happy to be at the table" crew, with no ambition beyond that.

 

[slanidrac16]

agree - but he hasn't busted out the wallet since the last time we (sorta) made the playoffs

Well, if he’s waiting to catch lightning in a bottle it might be a long time before we see him reaching for the brass ring.
You have to spend money to make money…except in the NFL.

 

[football karma]

Given in the churn in playoff teams, the NFL considers the system a success

what we have locally is an owner who is simply bad at managing a football team ( or a business in general)

pray for the siblings demanding a big payday that forces Mike to change the ownership dynamic

 

[gimpy]

Well, Harry, if you're talking about ownership above, you used the wrong monetary word. It's not millions.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

The only way Michael is ousted is if he goes full Sarver. 98.7 spent the last week discussing how he is cash poor and can't match up to the other owners when it comes to bonuses and using the cap. At least Bickley is openly challenging it like a real reporter should.

 

[gimpy]

You know, I read an article the other day (I think ESPN?) where it listed all the NFL billionaires. He (BW) was not the lowest money wise of the owners, I don't think. If I remember right, a couple of lesser(?) owners were owners of pretty good teams.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The only way Michael is ousted is if he goes full Sarver. 98.7 spent the last week discussing how he is cash poor and can't match up to the other owners when it comes to bonuses and using the cap. At least Bickley is openly challenging it like a real reporter should.

if that's what those guys are saying, then they need to say the second part of it too... if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. In other words... sell the team.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

if that's what those guys are saying, then they need to say the second part of it too... if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. In other words... sell the team.

How can our intrepid reporters be honest about the team when they are in bed with them?