The Not So Truth
Last week at the press conference to introduce the New Dodgers owners Magic Johnson said the previous owner (Really not trying to use his name any more) was not involved in any shape or fashion. Well turns out that wasn’t exactly the truth. Turns out like it’s the same agreement that was being discussed before the sale of the team happened. The new owner would pay 14 Million to the previous owner for the parking lots annually. So he gets this annually up front and for the next 99 years. New ownership gets all the revenue from cars parking in the lots, but they have already made their payment to lease the lots. As it stands right now GBM will end up losing money yearly. Gene Maddaus from the LA Weekly sent me some figures, in 2006, the last year that parking cost $10 revenue earned was $9.2 million. So right now they stand to lose $5.2 million. GBM will have to decide either they eat that loss or eventually charge it to the fan.
So the question is what can be done? The answer is simple – Not much. The parking lots can be boycotted, but that is not going to hurt the previous owner, he gets his no matter what. I know there will be some that will still go to any measure to boycott any thing associated with previous ownership, and that is cool. Magic did also make another good point at the press conference. He said the old ownership is no longer here that is reason enough to be applauding. The truth of the matter is we have a new era, and we are moving forward and we will give them the support they need to move forward. It was not a smart move to lie to the fans on your first day, so don’t make that mistake again. As a big brother we will continue to watch out for our team and look over them. We need to get past this and we will and look forward to some great things happening this years and years to come.
Dodgers’ owners to pay $14 million a year to rent parking lots from McCourt entity LA Times
Magic Johnson Lied to Dodger Fans About Frank McCourt’s Role In Parking Lots LA Weekly
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The new ownership knows they will be taking hit, but purchasing a team for over 2 billion, 5 million is a drop in the bucket. This was a good move to reduce the parking to $10 because the #1 goal is getting fans back to the stadium and reassure them that the organization is dedicated to the fans.
With the reduction in parking fees, this clearly shows to the fans that the new ownership not only recognizes grievances with past ownership, but also is willing to “take one for the team” to gain their business and loyalty again.
The profits from everything else – ticket sales, retail, food, etc. will increase MORE than enough to compensate for the 5 million in losses in the parking lot. Then they get their money AND the fans are back in the seats!
Good move on my part!
So sad that going to a ball game has to be almost a $100 dollars! Lets see: $15 to park, depending on your skill to bargan, $40 ticket, a soda or beer $7-10, food….Hot dog and other stuff..$25..snacks from the vendor..$?? And these are just one person figures.
The fans need to be able to do something about the ridiculous parking price. $15 to park is still over priced!! $5 is about right..but oh the poor wealthy owners! Why so much for a parking spot? To keep out the “bad guys”? I think a good idea is to have the security set up at any point of entry,to see that each entrant has a valid day ticket, regardless of how they enter; in car or on foot. This will hopefully stop the band of thuds roaming the lots with no intentions of going to the game,looking for fights. I’m just happy they don’t charge for the restrooms….yet.