The Coronavirus and its impact on sport/Fans Return (Merged)

[Spoons]

Think we need to remember the club will need our support , including money , during this difficult time. 

If people can afford it they should still purchase a season ticket to help club out. 

Obviously there will be some supporter's who need help or refunds but let's be honest there are plenty of others who go down the gate who won't be effected massively financially by this covid19 crisis. 

[Slacker]

22 minutes ago, ITK..... said:

Think we need to remember the club will need our support , including money , during this difficult time. 

If people can afford it they should still purchase a season ticket to help club out. 

Obviously there will be some supporter's who need help or refunds but let's be honest there are plenty of others who go down the gate who won't be effected massively financially by this covid19 crisis. 

Lots will be more affected than grossly overpaid footballers.

[wayne allisons tongues]

49 minutes ago, hodge said:

Its not that they'd be left to rot, its a case they'd get their end of season money from the league for their position to help their financial position to pay players/staff

I believe EFL don’t pay prize money for places, just solidarity payments and tv money. EFL have had an advance of £56m for EFL clubs from PL from next season  but are holding on to it due to fears of clubs burning money on wages. 
 

If clubs have no gate receipts, hospitality match day income coming in they will be in deep trouble. They need that money to survive.

 
They can’t survive now so void the season and let them have an advance from next season to keep them afloat. Then they can restructure if need be for next season and can have discussion with league about what happens if 20/21 season is behind closed doors or delayed.
 

[wayne allisons tongues]

1 hour ago, Alan Dicks' Barmy Army said:

You'll never watch City again because of a decision taken from others? 

Talk about a ridiculous over reaction 

Yes, 

Football in the championship and PL had got to commercialised and clubs don’t care about fans and community anymore.

It’s all about money money money. If championship PL clubs let other clubs die due to there greed then I’m quite happy watching non league as I have started doing. 

Non league clubs appreciate fans and community and aren’t in it just for the money and ways of getting more and more out of you. How football, use to be.

I am hoping with this delay in the season clubs take stock and think about how they treat fans and how much they are now spending. Can’t see it myself but live in hope.

Why should Championship clubs have the right to be promoted but not relegated whilst L1 downwards can’t go anywhere, where is the fairness in that. All teams should be voided for the season not just the elite few able to play. 

 

[Lrrr]

8 minutes ago, wayne allisons tongues said:

I believe EFL don’t pay prize money for places, just solidarity payments and tv money. EFL have had an advance of £56m for EFL clubs from PL from next season  but are holding on to it due to fears of clubs burning money on wages. 
 

If clubs have no gate receipts, hospitality match day income coming in they will be in deep trouble. They need that money to survive.

 
They can’t survive now so void the season and let them have an advance from next season to keep them afloat. Then they can restructure if need be for next season and can have discussion with league about what happens if 20/21 season is behind closed doors or delayed.
 

Just reading up, only found info on league one but it says all clubs share an equal fund on end of season (approx 667,000) in addition to solidarity payments and tv. So finishing their season early would get them that much each, voiding the season wouldn't as voiding implies the season never happened and as such no money for finishing the season. Hence where the vote for finishing early comes in, if the clubs feel they need that money they can vote to finish season with positions as are. However PL and championship clubs who can afford to tide themselves over until its feasible to play again want to see out the season to a conclusion.

[wayne allisons tongues]

1 hour ago, hodge said:

Just reading up, only found info on league one but it says all clubs share an equal fund on end of season (approx 667,000) in addition to solidarity payments and tv. So finishing their season early would get them that much each, voiding the season wouldn't as voiding implies the season never happened and as such no money for finishing the season. Hence where the vote for finishing early comes in, if the clubs feel they need that money they can vote to finish season with positions as are. However PL and championship clubs who can afford to tide themselves over until its feasible to play again want to see out the season to a conclusion.

I thought solidarity payments are paid at the start of the season that’s why EFL have £56m from next season siting in the bank, but don’t want to give it out unless they need to.

[Lrrr]

2 minutes ago, wayne allisons tongues said:

I thought solidarity payments are paid at the start of the season that’s why EFL have £56m from next season siting in the bank, but don’t want to give it out unless they need to.

Solidarity yes, which as you've said they've got and can give out as and when. However if true that it looks like league 1 clubs also get an end of season amount of over 600,000 each the voiding the season deprives them of that money, hence why they'd vote to finish as opposed to void. Also as said its why Championship/Premier league clubs wouldn't finish, because they could see out this period and then finish

[S25loyal]

Everyone saying clubs folding etc, maybe if the tv Money still existed in some form and players were actually paid a “normal” wage like the “olden days” then clubs would be able to continue. 

Where is kalas going to be able to be paid 20k+ a week if he’s not a footballer etc? Maybe this might knock some reality into it all 

[The Humble Realist]

2 hours ago, ITK..... said:

Think we need to remember the club will need our support , including money , during this difficult time. 

If people can afford it they should still purchase a season ticket to help club out. 

Obviously there will be some supporter's who need help or refunds but let's be honest there are plenty of others who go down the gate who won't be effected massively financially by this covid19 crisis. 

Oh yeah of course. I'm sure the first game back will be a close to full sell out and will be a great occasion.  Hopefully in the autumn (although could well be longer ). 

Its reassuring for many though that a refund of £80-100 will be coming their way . 

Some will have bought new season tickets already too and the club already has that money which no doubt helps the club  (many other clubs hadn't done their renewals )

[phantom]

3 hours ago, Slacker said:

Lots will be more affected than grossly overpaid footballers.

Two completely different things. The post you quoted was referring to the club.

You won't find grossly overpaid footballers at our club, not everyone is on a top end prem salary 

[Slacker]

20 minutes ago, phantom said:

Two completely different things. The post you quoted was referring to the club.

You won't find grossly overpaid footballers at our club, not everyone is on a top end prem salary 

The club pay the players and will presumably decide what happens regarding the relevant fixtures.

I dont know what our top earners are on,but what is classed as grossly overpaid is surely a matter of opinion. Our opinions on that presumably differ.In my opinion there are players in the Championship and lower/middle Premier teams that get paid far too much money for kicking a bag of wind about.Fair play if you see it differently. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

Grossly overpaid (talking in general not just City btw) at this level, it's a hard one.

In some ways yes, in some ways it's not exorbitant. The bottom line is though that if your wage bill is over 100% of turnover, and not just at one or two clubs but as a divisional average, you've got a serious issue as a division!

Edited April 20, 2020 by Mr Popodopolous

[Bristol Rob]

 

[Lrrr]

1 hour ago, Bristol Rob said:

 

I wouldn’t go that far I would say clubs need to show with accounts that they can afford another player and that it won’t hurt them financially while they’re paying back the deferred wages

[S25loyal]

11 hours ago, phantom said:

Two completely different things. The post you quoted was referring to the club.

You won't find grossly overpaid footballers at our club, not everyone is on a top end prem salary 

Surely you don’t think 20k plus for Kalas a week isn’t grossly overpaid?

[One Team In Keynsham]

18 minutes ago, S25loyal said:

Surely you don’t think 20k plus for Kalas a week isn’t grossly overpaid?

Depends on what scale you are comparing him to.

If you compare to other people in his industry, then there are people on 10+ multiples of his salary.

If you compare to people in other industries, then take your pick, and you can make a point either way. But that doesn't seem to be a fair argument to me. I can't think there is a person in this country who wouldn't want, for example, to pay nurses more than they currently get. But you resolve that by increasing funding to the NHS and paying nurses more, not by attacking footballers' salary arrangements.

For me? I don't begrudge Kalas 20k/week: the club presumably were happy to offer it. Why would he refuse that and take a lower wage? Whether the club should be paying salaries beyond its financial means is a separate argument.

[The Humble Realist]

14 minutes ago, One Team In Keynsham said:

Depends on what scale you are comparing him to.

If you compare to other people in his industry, then there are people on 10+ multiples of his salary.

If you compare to people in other industries, then take your pick, and you can make a point either way. But that doesn't seem to be a fair argument to me. I can't think there is a person in this country who wouldn't want, for example, to pay nurses more than they currently get. But you resolve that by increasing funding to the NHS and paying nurses more, not by attacking footballers' salary arrangements.

For me? I don't begrudge Kalas 20k/week: the club presumably were happy to offer it. Why would he refuse that and take a lower wage? Whether the club should be paying salaries beyond its financial means is a separate argument.

The 'grossly overpaid 'was in reference to someone saying the club will need help to get through this too when I said about fans being refunded season ticket money  .

If the club didn't offer refunds (hypothetically) but continued to pay Kalas 20k a week I think we would all agree that would be outrageous. 

It's highly unlikely such a scenario would ever occur(the club WILL offer us all refunds and Kalas will likely not be paid his full 20k every week with deferrals etc) but hopefully that helps with the context the original quote was said in

 

[Cowshed]

40 minutes ago, S25loyal said:

Surely you don’t think 20k plus for Kalas a week isn’t grossly overpaid?

Its relative to the industry. It is what the industry considers to be his worth. The players worth increases or decreases accordingly.

 

 

[One Team In Keynsham]

2 minutes ago, The Humble Realist said:

The 'grossly overpaid 'was in reference to someone saying the club will need help to get through this too when I said about fans being refunded season ticket money  .

If the club didn't offer refunds (hypothetically) but continued to pay Kalas 20k a week I think we would all agree that would be outrageous. 

It's highly unlikely such a scenario would ever occur(the club WILL offer us all refunds and Kalas will likely not be paid his full 20k every week with deferrals etc) but hopefully that helps with the context the original quote was said in

 

Fair dos. I didn't read back the whole thread to source.

[Tinmans Love Child]

8 minutes ago, The Humble Realist said:

The 'grossly overpaid 'was in reference to someone saying the club will need help to get through this too when I said about fans being refunded season ticket money  .

If the club didn't offer refunds (hypothetically) but continued to pay Kalas 20k a week I think we would all agree that would be outrageous. 

It's highly unlikely such a scenario would ever occur(the club WILL offer us all refunds and Kalas will likely not be paid his full 20k every week with deferrals etc) but hopefully that helps with the context the original quote was said in

 

I think most fans think football clubs should be run (or told to run) in such a way that they can only pay out what they get in.  

The massive loss making that nearly all clubs have operated on for years has got way out of hand, especially when it’s driven by paying very high wages to players that they cannot afford based on income.

Maybe this will force hands to bring in salary caps etc etc, regardless of clubs being a rich persons play thing, they are part of the community and should be offered some form of protection from going bust, and the best way to do this is to make sure they are run in such a way that at worst they break even.  Also players wages should only be a % of income, say 50%, which would drive down wages I think.

 

[BanburyRed]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52368010

[Mr Popodopolous]

3 hours ago, Cowshed said:

Its relative to the industry. It is what the industry considers to be his worth. The players worth increases or decreases accordingly.

 

 

Still though, a club or a division paying out in excess of 100% of income on wages is a nonsense. That's before trsnsfer fees (shown in cost of amortisation) or any other costs.

That divisional average is the Championship.

[Lrrr]

Sheffield Utd players agree partial pay deferral including bonuses until end of 2020

[Lrrr]

Barca sell title rights to Nou Camp for 1 season/year to raise money for coronavirus

[phantom]

https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/club-statement-covid-19-update/

CLUB STATEMENT: COVID-19 UPDATE

TUESDAY, APRIL 21ST 2020

Bristol City have united to safeguard the financial stability of the club.

From first team to Academy level, all players and staff have agreed steps to make sure that jobs and livelihoods are secured.

Those measures are:

• Players agreeing to defer a percentage of their wages for three months
• All staff agreeing a temporary voluntary salary reduction
• Use of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furloughing) of some non-playing staff

Bristol City Chief Executive Officer Mark Ashton said: “These are challenging and difficult times and I’ve been overwhelmed by the care everyone has had for their team-mates and colleagues.

“I have always said that central to our business is our first-class people and their health and wellbeing is paramount.

“Lee and I have spoken to every player and also to many staff affected and we have been impressed with how understanding they have been and the recognition that we are all in this difficult situation together.

“The coronavirus pandemic means that, along with millions of other businesses around the world, we find ourselves living in unusual and uncertain circumstances.

“But we believe these measures, taken in conjunction with other areas of Bristol Sport, will safeguard our financial stability and help us come through this period in the best possible position for when football resumes. When that will be is difficult to say and, conscious that many of our supporters are suffering financially, we are deferring the first direct debit payment for 2020/21 season cards by one month, from May 1st to June 1st.

“Without doubt, next season will be one of austerity for everyone but I believe that Bristol City’s principles of sustainability through prudent financial management will see us through.”

Head Coach Lee Johnson said: “Throughout these difficult and unprecedented times it is important that we as a football staff do all we can to contribute to the various causes that need us right now. The players and staff have been amazing in showing their class, community spirit and charitable donations. I am proud to work with such people. We all miss football and hopefully these sacrifices will help us in the goal of securing a positive future for the football club when we return and beyond.”

Speaking on behalf of the whole squad, club captain Bailey Wright, who played a leading role in the discussions along with City’s longest-serving player Korey Smith, said: “As a playing group we feel it is important that we contribute to the cause. Everybody at the club is making sacrifices and it’s only right that we play our part. This is a special group of players and staff and we will get through this together.”

As a club we want to support our community as much as possible during these difficult times.

The Robins Foundation charity is working with Ashton Gate, Bristol Sport Foundation and Bears Community Foundation to deliver food, prepared at the Stadium by Head Chef George Opondo, to those most in need. The Foundation is using its extensive knowledge of the local community - gained through the multitude of projects which they run around central and south Bristol - and are working with both schools and the police to identify those who need support most.

The Foundation’s staff and volunteers are currently delivering approximately 1,000 meals and food parcels (made up of essential items) a week to vulnerable young people in our local community.

Ashton Gate has partnered with the South West arm of national charity FareShare to use the stadium concourse areas so that more ambient surplus food can be taken in and redistributed to frontline organisations across the city and wider region.

City players, staff, supporters are also undertaking a number of activities to support the Bristol community, including adding food and essential supplies to their shopping, with volunteer drivers collecting from outside their homes and delivering to food banks in Bristol.

In addition, the Winterstoke car park at Ashton Gate Stadium is being used for the Ambulance Service’s Covid-19 testing unit for University of Bristol Hospitals and Weston General NHS Trust staff.

Stay safe, stay home

[The Dolman Pragmatist]

22 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Simon Jordan thinks fans may not be able to return to grounds for 12 months.

Listening to Talksport catchup for the SL stuff and yeah 12 months.

In Germany they’re talking about eighteen months...

[Cowshed]

2 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Still though, a club or a division paying out in excess of 100% of income on wages is a nonsense. That's before trsnsfer fees (shown in cost of amortisation) or any other costs.

That divisional average is the Championship.

But that is again the club deciding the players worth. We view that as a nonsense, or maybe we don't because its a industry standard, it is not unusual. Football clubs and in this case the owner Steve Lansdown chooses to run his club in that manner. 

It should be a nonsense but it isn't. Fans widely expect the club to lose money and spend beyond its means because the overwhelming majority of clubs do. 

[Davefevs]

6 hours ago, hodge said:

I wouldn’t go that far I would say clubs need to show with accounts that they can afford another player and that it won’t hurt them financially while they’re paying back the deferred wages

Assumes there is a transfer window!!!

Personally I can’t see there being one during the 19/20 season.

[Lrrr]

2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Assumes there is a transfer window!!!

Personally I can’t see there being one during the 19/20 season.

There won't be one during the season but its a case of whether you're still deferring wages because of the lack of income, Sheffield Utd as said for example have deferred a portion for the rest of 2020, if a champ club does that and say season ends November (hypothetical) the rule would embargo them

[Bazooka Joe]

23 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Simon Jordan thinks fans may not be able to return to grounds for 12 months.

Listening to Talksport catchup for the SL stuff and yeah 12 months.

Won't make anything difference at the Mem.

No-one seems to go there anyway.

Judging by their sparse, thinly dispersed crowds they've been doing social-distancing for years.