Ever wanted to look at the books of a Major League Baseball team? Specifically Pittsburgh's MLB team? Then today is your lucky day.
Showing posts with label Bob Nutting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bob Nutting. Show all posts
5/20/2010
PIRATESREPORT.COM REMOVES PENGUIN STORY
It's been mentioned by a few of you in the comments section, but a controversial column entitled, "Like Bucs, Penguins Still Have Work To Be Done" has now been removed from the Nutting-owned Piratesreport.com website. However, it is still available for viewing through the wonders of Google's cache feature.
The author, Paul Ladewski, made comparisons of Bryan Bullington to Marc-Andre Fleury, among many other low blows at the Penguins' expense. The PG's Bob Smizik really brought Ladewski's story to light yesterday, and questions whether it was meant to be funny or was merely a case of a writer pleasing their boss to the point of extreme.
If Ladewski's aim was to get people talking about Pirates Report at any cost, mission accomplished. But the removal of the article, especially considering who owns the site, definitely raises a ton of questions.
Like Bucs, Penguins Still Have Work To Be Done [cached/PiratesReport.com]
Email your feedback, questions, and tips Mondesishouse@gmail.com
1/30/2010
LEMIEUX INTERESTED IN OWNING THE PIRATES? YES, PLEASE.
For years, there's been a hope that Mark Cuban would buy/save the Pirates, for the reasons being that A. he was from Pittsburgh and B. he was rich.
As weak as the Pirate ownership has been, I was never on board with the Cuban dream. Call it merely a hunch, but I didn't feel that it was the right fit, although that's certainly open for debate. And I never had a firm grasp of how serious he really was about buying it.
But the news I read last night from Dejan Kovacevic in the PG is something that I can believe in. Believe in, back, support, whatever you can do to push it forward, you can bet that I'll be on board.
Both franchises appear to be telling a different side of what happened, but one thing is for sure: the Pirates' and Penguins' head honchos recently had a closed-door business meeting. The Penguins sources are saying Lemieux's Penguin partner, Ron Burkle, made an offer to buy the Pirates. The Pirates are saying it was about another matter, and continue to insist that the team is not for sale.
Bob Nutting is no dummy. His group has been feeding this cash cow on a diet of revenue sharing and broadcasting rights for a long time, and according to Forbes, it is worth about $288 million. For comparison's sake, Kevin McClatchy paid $95 million for the team back in 1996. So basically, in the last decade-plus of strictly losing baseball, the value of the franchise has nearly tripled. One can only imagine what it would be worth with a winner on the field, selling more tickets, more merchandise, and higher local broadcasting rights.
If anyone has proven to know what they're doing in the field of pro sports ownership, it's the Lemieux/Burkle group. What they've done with the Penguins did take a matter of some luck in the draft, but also needed the right touch to finish what the lottery Gods gave them. That's hiring Ray Shero, that's managing the payroll, that's having a fan relation staff second to none. They know Pittsburgh, they know Pittsburgh sports, and they know Pittsburgh sports fans. Having their people in charge of the Pirates could be a dream come true for the long-suffering Bucco fan.
Where this goes from here is up in the air. To have this news come out during PirateFest is probably the worst-case scenario for that organization, but face it, their existence has been worst-case scenario since Sid Bream crossed the plate in 1992. They're used to dealing with bad news.
But from a fan point of view, now that's where this gets interesting. If you thought there was pressure on Pirate ownership in the past, that's going to pale in comparison to what will happen next. Mario Lemieux has been The Best Thing To Happen To Pittsburgh at least three times by my count - he saved the Penguins on the ice, he saved the Penguins from bankruptcy, and he saved the Penguins from moving. And that's not to mention the Stanley Cups and millions of dollars raised for local charities. How there's not 10 statues of this man around town is a mystery in itself.
Bob Nutting? Let's take the high road and say he's not quite as distinguished with the locals. And that league-low $35 million payroll and likely 18th consecutive losing season isn't going to win him many more friends.
This is a story that began months ago, but is only being talked about now. I think it could be one of the biggest developments in Pittsburgh sports history if it actually comes to fruition. Turning around that franchise just might be the impossible. But if there's one guy who we can count on to do the impossible, it's Mario Lemieux.
Lemieux, Penguins co-owner offer to buy Pirates [PG]
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As weak as the Pirate ownership has been, I was never on board with the Cuban dream. Call it merely a hunch, but I didn't feel that it was the right fit, although that's certainly open for debate. And I never had a firm grasp of how serious he really was about buying it.
But the news I read last night from Dejan Kovacevic in the PG is something that I can believe in. Believe in, back, support, whatever you can do to push it forward, you can bet that I'll be on board.
Both franchises appear to be telling a different side of what happened, but one thing is for sure: the Pirates' and Penguins' head honchos recently had a closed-door business meeting. The Penguins sources are saying Lemieux's Penguin partner, Ron Burkle, made an offer to buy the Pirates. The Pirates are saying it was about another matter, and continue to insist that the team is not for sale.
Bob Nutting is no dummy. His group has been feeding this cash cow on a diet of revenue sharing and broadcasting rights for a long time, and according to Forbes, it is worth about $288 million. For comparison's sake, Kevin McClatchy paid $95 million for the team back in 1996. So basically, in the last decade-plus of strictly losing baseball, the value of the franchise has nearly tripled. One can only imagine what it would be worth with a winner on the field, selling more tickets, more merchandise, and higher local broadcasting rights.
If anyone has proven to know what they're doing in the field of pro sports ownership, it's the Lemieux/Burkle group. What they've done with the Penguins did take a matter of some luck in the draft, but also needed the right touch to finish what the lottery Gods gave them. That's hiring Ray Shero, that's managing the payroll, that's having a fan relation staff second to none. They know Pittsburgh, they know Pittsburgh sports, and they know Pittsburgh sports fans. Having their people in charge of the Pirates could be a dream come true for the long-suffering Bucco fan.
Where this goes from here is up in the air. To have this news come out during PirateFest is probably the worst-case scenario for that organization, but face it, their existence has been worst-case scenario since Sid Bream crossed the plate in 1992. They're used to dealing with bad news.
But from a fan point of view, now that's where this gets interesting. If you thought there was pressure on Pirate ownership in the past, that's going to pale in comparison to what will happen next. Mario Lemieux has been The Best Thing To Happen To Pittsburgh at least three times by my count - he saved the Penguins on the ice, he saved the Penguins from bankruptcy, and he saved the Penguins from moving. And that's not to mention the Stanley Cups and millions of dollars raised for local charities. How there's not 10 statues of this man around town is a mystery in itself.
Bob Nutting? Let's take the high road and say he's not quite as distinguished with the locals. And that league-low $35 million payroll and likely 18th consecutive losing season isn't going to win him many more friends.
This is a story that began months ago, but is only being talked about now. I think it could be one of the biggest developments in Pittsburgh sports history if it actually comes to fruition. Turning around that franchise just might be the impossible. But if there's one guy who we can count on to do the impossible, it's Mario Lemieux.
Lemieux, Penguins co-owner offer to buy Pirates [PG]
6/25/2007
The News
A recap of your favorite links, named in honor of Mike Tomlin
"I'm not telling a story. I'm reporting the news."
Got news? Email it to mondesishouse@gmail.com
--"Pirates Notebook: Littlefield says team's basics are 'better'". The best story I've read since "Inside the Pirates: Colborn merits credit for starters".
--"TheStarterWife" sent over this tidbit from the Steelers mascot contest:
"These forms along with the video submission must be received at the Steelers mailbox no later than June 30, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. Pittsburgh time. Steelers reserves the right, in its discretion, to extend the deadline as appropriate."
Best part? "PITTSBURGH TIME". Not EST, not GMT -8 . "Pittsburgh time."
--The Pirates are talking to the Braves about Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Apparently the Buccos learned nothing about trading with Atlanta after Adam LaRoche.
--Ron Cook talks down to you about Bill Cowher. Thanks for the lecture.
--Former big-leaguer Rod Beck is found dead at the age of 38.
--GM Ken Williams on the White Sox: 'I'm tired of watching this'. And his team has only had a few bad months. Imagine a team that stands pat after 15 years.
--Guess what? The Pirates are projected to have a stopgap at center field next year.
--Bill Simmons does an NHL Draft Diary. Hey, it's better than his 756th article about Durant and Oden.
--Indiana Hoosiers coach and former Ben Roethlisberger mentor Terry Hoeppner died last week, and here's a great story on the relationship he shared with Ben.
--Brett Hull is out at NBC. Few will miss him.
--Meet Autumn Sullivan Corbett Fitzsimmons Jeffries Hart Burns Johnson Willard Dempsey Tunney Schmeling Sharkey Carnera Baer Braddock Louis Charles Walcott Marciano Patterson Johansson Liston Clay Frazier Foreman Brown. That's 25 names, for those of you scoring at home.
--Allegheny County’s “Ties on Tour” event is auctioning off celebrity owned and autographed neckties to benefit the Kane Regional Assisted Living facilities. It’s truly a worthy cause, with the proceeds going directly to events, activities, and general help for the residents at the Kanes through the Kane Foundation.
Among the ties featured are a number of Pittsburgh sports notables (with my favorites in bold): Ray Shero, Bill Cowher, Kevin McClatchy, Dan Rooney, Robert Nutting, Mike Tomlin, Max Starks, and Dave Wannstedt, as well as many others, including Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Rod Stewart, Bob Knight, Ted Kennedy, George Steinbrenner, Tim Russert, Luke Ravenstahl, and more. The ties come with a caricature by the excellent Pittsburgh artist Kyle Holbrook.
Among the ties featured are a number of Pittsburgh sports notables (with my favorites in bold): Ray Shero, Bill Cowher, Kevin McClatchy, Dan Rooney, Robert Nutting, Mike Tomlin, Max Starks, and Dave Wannstedt, as well as many others, including Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Rod Stewart, Bob Knight, Ted Kennedy, George Steinbrenner, Tim Russert, Luke Ravenstahl, and more. The ties come with a caricature by the excellent Pittsburgh artist Kyle Holbrook.
OK, you officially have my interest. I have to see what the market will bear on an item signed by Bob Nutting.
You can view or bid on the ties at:
http://www.county.allegheny.pa.us/kane/auction.asp
A LIST OF TODAY'S TOP LISTS
Why The Pirates Still Suck and What You Should Do About It
1/08/2007
Chris Berman Pictures, Pitt Recruits, Ricky Williams to Dolphins, Angelina Jolie Painting, Every NES Game Ever, Seven Springs Has Snow
CHRIS BERMAN:
There's the happily married Boomer at the Super Bowl in Jacksonville...crammed onto a couch with five girls, one on his lap
MEDIA:
ESPN's Ombudsman wraps up 2006 like only an ombudsman could
NFL:
Ricky Williams wants to come back to the Dolphins. Seriously, haven't these people suffered enough? All those years getting teased with Dan Marino, yet no Super Bowl wins...the embarrassment that is the champagne-popping '72 team...Ricky Williams' original disappearance...Nick Saban...Junior Seau retires, then joined the Patriots. Can't we tell Ricky to stay away? Seriously, go join the Giants. They won't even notice you with all of their sideshows.
Video of The Tuna telling Tony Romo to throw the F-ing ball away.
MLB:
Seven Springs trucked in 6 million pounds of snow to the resort on Friday. Owner Bob Nutting gave this quote: "We are doing all that we can to show our skiers, snowboarders, snowtubers and guests that in this first year of ownership we are absolutely committed to providing the best possible conditions." To all of you who can't connect the dots, Mr. Nutting's family also owns another small business called The Pittsburgh Pirates. So I would guess that this snow came cheap, won't perform well, and will disappoint all the paying customers. (thanks to reader Cecil for the link)
NHL:
SI compiled a list of hockey's most colorful names. Mildly amusing.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL:
Scout.com has Pitt's updated commits list for the 2007 class. In my best "Count" voice, here are one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine! Nine four-star recruits! Ahh-ahh-ahhh! And one five-star recruit too!
RANDOM FUN STUFF:
Here's what passes for art in 2007: a painting of Angelina Jolie, as the Virgin Mary, hovering over a Wal-Mart checkout line.
Disney World's Tigger punches a kid...and of course, there's video. Something about Bengals and trouble this year.
Toyota is creating a vehicle that detects drunken drivers and shuts down the car if sensors pick up excessive alcohol consumption. Sounds fantastic. But if a person has such a drinking problem that they would consider drinking and driving in the first place, then why would they buy such a car?
Play every NES game ever on your computer...kill more time at work...make your bosses hate Mondesi's House even more....
Will Ferrell turned down $29 million for Elf 2. And Brad Pitt wants to produce a movie with Sacha Baron Cohen, known to you as "Borat". Hold on, I think my head just exploded with these two facts. (thanks to reader Kiana for the link)
Here's the dumbest rap star names. Unfortunately, J-Peezy is not a rapper and thus does not qualify for this list.
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