New Details Emerge in Twins Minority Sale

[USAFChief]

I actually thought Tom's letter to season ticket holders was refreshingly light on word salad. I thought there was at least a hint of honesty about where they're at and how they got here. 

Lots of promises, the proof of which will be in the pudding, of course. Not off to a good start with the Bell signing, IYAM.

But at the least, he acknowledged they've got work to do at all levels. As someone who has recently been at a low point in my 60+ year Fandom, I'm slightly encouraged. 

Pretty clear they've even admitted nephew Joe was a mistake. 

[Woof Bronzer]

30 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Disagree with all of you, Tom's AI chat bot sounds WAAAAY more mature than Joe's AI chat bot.

This part is the most annoying to me though:

I also recognize that your time at Target Field matters—and enhancing your fan experience will remain a key focus. From the atmosphere in the ballpark, to the service you receive, to the energy we create together, we are committed to making every visit special. Target Field is one of the very best ballparks in baseball because of you, and we intend to make it an even more exceptional place to watch the Twins and gather as a community.

When are these owners going to realize that people aren't drawn to the stadium because they have a bigger jumbotron than the Royals, or because they have deep fried lamb kabobs or because they have more statues in the plaza, people are drawn to the stadium because you put a winning team on the field. Stop with the 'fan experience'. Go spend money on better players instead.

It's especially weird because Tom thinks the Twin Cities market can't support a first class ballpark, whatever that means.  An interesting comment considering the Pohlad family spent years saying they needed a first class ballpark to win.   A case of "I was lying then, I'm telling the truth now" I suppose. 

Tom Pohlad pointed to what he said is an unfavorable economic model for small- and middle-market MLB teams like the Twins. In such markets, revenues “don’t necessarily support” amenities like a first-class ballpark at Target Field or consistently putting a high-performing team together.

 

[Mike Sixel]

I somehow missed him saying the place he wants fans to go isn't first class.

They are the worst at PR, no matter who speaks. All this time I thought it was the person, now I know it is the org. 

[laloesch]

16 hours ago, arby58 said:

This is a somewhat different debt story from what I have seen elsewhere, which is that the debt was largely from non-baseball real estate losses (albeit tied to COVID). As a finance professional, this seems more plausible - if the $300-$500 million debt is accurate, it would be hard to rack that up because of 'continuing to pay players and staff' during COVID. Yes, the lost TV revenue was an issue, but they also reduced payroll in the aftermath. I'm still betting a lot of the debt is non-baseball-related businesses.

It's all smoke and mirrors talk.  That debt was mostly tied to their commercial real estate holdings.

[TheLeviathan]

I'm strategically curious how many seconds will pass until they put the team up for sale after the new CBA is worked out.

[Woof Bronzer]

27 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

I somehow missed him saying the place he wants fans to go isn't first class.

They are the worst at PR, no matter who speaks. All this time I thought it was the person, now I know it is the org. 

I read it more as "Twins fans don't deserve a first class stadium because they don't give my family enough money."

[jctwins]

What a world we're living in where the Pohlads have triangulated us against two of them and people are suddenly celebrating that a different Pohlad is running the train wreck. LOL

[nicksaviking]

45 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

I read it more as "Twins fans don't deserve a first class stadium because they don't give my family enough money."

You mean the fans don't deserve the first class stadium they paid for and then gifted to the Pohlads.

[Jeff K]

2 hours ago, USAFChief said:

I actually thought Tom's letter to season ticket holders was refreshingly light on word salad. I thought there was at least a hint of honesty about where they're at and how they got here. 

Lots of promises, the proof of which will be in the pudding, of course. Not off to a good start with the Bell signing, IYAM.

But at the least, he acknowledged they've got work to do at all levels. As someone who has recently been at a low point in my 60+ year Fandom, I'm slightly encouraged. 

Pretty clear they've even admitted nephew Joe was a mistake. 

I share your take on his letter to ticket holders.  Joe was not a good person to head up the organization.

[Irishman]

8 hours ago, SF Twins Fan said:

That might be the best news of all the changes.  So, he was basically forced out, so his brother could step in and take over.  Woof - Christmas is going to be awkward. 

Tom could be worst owner than Joe is.  

I will believe it when I see it.