Ultimately, fans will pay for management's mistakes
The Dolphins have recently undergone some cost-cutting measures and even had a hiring freeze not too long ago, but costs of operating the team still have gone up substantially.
The fact is Wayne Huizenga has had to dig deeper into his pockets than ever to pay for what amounts to his own mistakes. In the last month alone, he has had to swallow the cost of hiring Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland, Tony Sparano and a new coaching staff even as he's had to accept paying off the contracts of Cam Cameron, Randy Mueller, and the old coaching staff that included a high-priced and underperforming Dom Capers.
Some of the costs of paying off those fired people will be subsidized when the folks that were fired get new jobs. This already happened with Cameron. But the Dolphins still have to make up the difference between what those men were scheduled to make in Miami and what they are actually making at their new jobs.
So Huizenga and his leadership staff have cost the Dolphins money by hiring people they eventually had to fire -- in other words the wrong people, the people that didn't get the job done.
And why should you care that the billionaire owner's cost of doing business is higher?
Because some of the higher costs the Dolphins have heaped upon themselves by making bad decisions will almost certainly be passed along to ticket buyers.
The Dolphins today announced that 2008 season ticket prices will remain the same as 2007 for current season ticket holders. But that is only for now.
Season ticket holders will receive a renewal package in the coming weeks informing them that their ticket prices will not be increasing for the 2008 season if they purchase their renewals prior to May. New season ticket purchasers will also benefit from the price freeze.
But fans that purchase season tickets after May 9th will likely pay higher prices than in 2007 despite the fact the Dolphins last year were the worst team in the NFL.
Why? Well, because the cost of doing business is going up every year and ticket prices have to rise to meet at least part of those rising costs. But also, unfortunately for Miami fans, because Miami's burden is greater than most teams based on the substantial debt it incurred by hiring people that didn't work out.
The fact is Wayne Huizenga has had to dig deeper into his pockets than ever to pay for what amounts to his own mistakes. In the last month alone, he has had to swallow the cost of hiring Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland, Tony Sparano and a new coaching staff even as he's had to accept paying off the contracts of Cam Cameron, Randy Mueller, and the old coaching staff that included a high-priced and underperforming Dom Capers.
Some of the costs of paying off those fired people will be subsidized when the folks that were fired get new jobs. This already happened with Cameron. But the Dolphins still have to make up the difference between what those men were scheduled to make in Miami and what they are actually making at their new jobs.
So Huizenga and his leadership staff have cost the Dolphins money by hiring people they eventually had to fire -- in other words the wrong people, the people that didn't get the job done.
And why should you care that the billionaire owner's cost of doing business is higher?
Because some of the higher costs the Dolphins have heaped upon themselves by making bad decisions will almost certainly be passed along to ticket buyers.
The Dolphins today announced that 2008 season ticket prices will remain the same as 2007 for current season ticket holders. But that is only for now.
Season ticket holders will receive a renewal package in the coming weeks informing them that their ticket prices will not be increasing for the 2008 season if they purchase their renewals prior to May. New season ticket purchasers will also benefit from the price freeze.
But fans that purchase season tickets after May 9th will likely pay higher prices than in 2007 despite the fact the Dolphins last year were the worst team in the NFL.
Why? Well, because the cost of doing business is going up every year and ticket prices have to rise to meet at least part of those rising costs. But also, unfortunately for Miami fans, because Miami's burden is greater than most teams based on the substantial debt it incurred by hiring people that didn't work out.
posted by Armando Salguero at 1:32 PM
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25 Comments:
I am a holder of three season tickets for the last four years.
I have called the Dolphins to try and get an idea of what was going to happen and couldn't get anyone on the phone who could speak to my questions.
They also took my number and never called back. Guess what? The Dolphins can shove their tickets far as I'm concerned.
I can deal with watching an awful team. I will not tolerate awful customer service.
This is an old marketing ploy. Announce you're not raising prices now, then raise prices later. i doubt they will have an "announcement" of that price increase in May.
the little guy -- the guy buying tickets to one, two or three games -- gets shafted in the end.
dont forget the costs of fixing Joe Robbie Stadium. That will fall on the fans too.
well when you start winning nobody will whine about ticket hikes. NE fans pay a lot more than we do for tickets and don't care
Why would anyone go to that stadium to watch us get pounded every year? At least you can turn off the TV.
"because Miami's burden is greater than most teams based on the substantial debt it incurred by hiring people that didn't work out."
Um yeah... because its a real rarity that coaches get canned in the NFL...
Arizona is still trying to find a coach.. They are probably still paying for Dennis Green (Cameron is probably making a lot more coaching than Green is as an analyst).
The Lions? I believe they had to eat the cost of the Mooch.
The Raiders may be in the market for a new coach soon.... Probably still paying their 3 or 4 previous coaches.
The list goes on.. So don't try and spin it as this is some rare event in the NFL. Every year there are at least 10-12 teams who are not happy because someone has to lose and it happened to be them. So Coaches get canned. Rarely after 1 year but if that coach isn't the answer and you keep him around the fans will be forced to pay for more losing seasons. Personally if Cameron wasn't the answer and Parcells can fix the ship I rather pay an increase in the season ticket price than pay for another worthless season coached by him at the same price.
Yes it sucks that prices could go up because coaches were fired... but if they weren't going to work you would be paying for more losing seasons.
I DON'T KNOW WHO THE GUY IS WITH THE SEASON TIX AND NOBODY HAS CALLED BACK OR WHATEVER. BUT MY EXPERINCE HAS BEEN FANTASTIC FOR 16 YEARS, AS A MATTER OF FACT. IF YOU GOTO MIAMIDOLPHINS.COM LOG INTO YOUR SEASON TICKET HOLDER ACCOUNT IT TELLS YOU WHO YOUR REP IS. MINE, HER NAME IS CASEY HAS CALLED ME MANY TIMES THRU OUT THE SEASON TO FIND OUT HOW THINGS ARE GOING. SHE MADE IT A POINT TO CALL AFTER THE LONDON TRIP TO SEE HOW IT WAS. I CAN ONLY SAY GREAT THINGS ABOUT MY EXPERINCE WITH ACCOUNT HOLDER REP'S.
how much are season tickets these days. i'm thinking about buying some. what's the best section?
john123, first it says it all that you're comparing the dolphins to arizona and detroit.
Secondly, the raiders haven't fired their coach because Al Davis doesn't want to pay Kiffin off while also paying for a new coach, so you're just wrong there.
And as for the Dolphins, They are not only paying for Cameron and Mueller, but as Armando noted, Dom Capers who was making more money than Cameron. And Saban conned Huizenga into hiring more coaches than any other team in the NFL. They built a practice bubble.
Who do you think pays for all that eventually? Maybe you. Not me. I'm outta here.
Wet Wilder,
you mean Al Davis doesn't want to pay off Kiffin while still having to pay off their two previous coaches and hire a new one. What do you think Art Shell signed a 1 year deal? Kiffin may last this season but unless he does something special next year the writing is on the wall.
Minnesota? outed Tice.
Rams? Martz (Linehan is on the chopping block)
Washington? Schottenheimer (I believe the skins were somewhat pissed with the deal he signed with SD because it was a low ball deal because Washington still owed him a lot of money)
Do some of those teams suck? Yeah they do... why do you think they fired their coaches? Bottom line: Coaches and staffs get fired and they end up paying two staffs. It's nothing new and certainly not rare.
Another no duh column. Every NFL team rises tix costs every year. Miami though, unmentioned by armandoo, is in the bottom 1/4 of
the league price wise. So Huizenga has hardly been ripping people off. The herald is getting ripped off by paying Armandoo to be a sports writer when he can barely write good enough for the wanted ads.
Who cares what Wayne has to pay out...it was his decision to buy the team...and I doubt he'll cry a tear when the NFL shut's out the players or when the players call a strike later this year.
The only loser's are the fans...they always lose.
Let's see, the Dolphins are in the bottom quarter in ticket prices ... but their results last year were dead last with the worst record in the NFL.
So they ripped us off, you dull-minded anonymouse.
Hey anonymous at 9:36, if you don't like Armando's writing, why are you always on here?
You are just a big hater hypocrite. Go back under your rock slime.
OCHO CINCO in Miami in 2008!
So teams never raise ticket prices unless owners make bad hires and need to fix stadiums? That's ridiculous. The Dolphins raised prices when Shula was here. The Patriots have raised prices while Belichick has been there. Raising ticket prices has nothing, or very little, to do with fired coaches.
Oh Mandy... there you go again, showing your true colors. I'm sure you're really concerned about the Dolfans who'll have to shell out a few more dollars when you get to watch the team from the booth and eat all the food you want for FREE.
For all you whiners, if you don't want to pay more, don't go. We don't need your complaining about the cost of a hot dog or a beer at the game anyway. Shut up, or root for your team. When they start winning, you'll be back. Get over yourselves. Waaah... everything costs more... waah...
Some good points Aramando, but let's get this straight - "So Huizenga and his leadership staff have cost the Dolphins money by hiring people they eventually had to fire"
The Dolphins don't have any money, it is Wayne's. His mistakes have cost HIM money.
And you might also mention that it is rare indeed to hire a NFL coach that becomes successful and stays with the team 5-10 years. Wayne's problems with coaches is more the norm in the NFL than the exception. Give him a break and at least mention this. And how about prof's for opening his wallet and brining in the new regime?
I now read your post not to be informed, but to get a laugh out of what stupid opinion you are going to offer next. This blog is GREAT, as I am never dissappointed and always rewarded with a good laugh.
Hey Armando, are you the guy from Napolean Dynamite. You look like that dude Pedro. Great acting job. But I guess it's better than the info you give about the phins.
Warms my heart!!
10 years of our misery from Hire-Zinger's malfeasance. Remember he said "Never listen to the fans."
Ticket buyers .... let your actions send a message to Hire-Zinger.
Armando is a genius in that some of us (like me) appreciate that he always has good information or enlightening stuff. And some of us, like the last couple of retards, come here because they hate the guy.
And the whole time, his blog's popularity soars. I saw it quoted on Profootballtalk.com a couple of weeks ago. I saw it on MSNBC a few days ago.
Amazing. Good job, big boy!!!
Quit going to the games and put that money toward paying off some debt and actually improving your lives.
Obviously you've never taken an economics class...ever heard of the law of supply and demand?
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