Wow!! Layoffs are hitting the NFL!

[madinmaryland]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/08/AR2009010803956.html

The Washington Redskins laid off at least 20 employees at Redskins Park this week and an undetermined number at FedEx Field, according to several sources with knowledge of the situation.

No coaches, trainers or scouts were let go. Cuts included at least one team vice president and members of the legal, marketing, information technology, public relations, cheerleading, game-day operations and Redskins Television staffs, according to several of the outgoing employees. Two members of the football operations staff were let go, sources said.

The Redskins declined to comment. The team's media guide lists 143 positions in its section devo ted to non-football staff.

Several of those let go on Wednesday said Chief Operating Officer Mitch Gershman told them the team was shedding about 30 employees because of financial difficulties caused by the economy and a decrease in revenue.

"Mitch said that the revenue from tickets and season tickets was not where it needs to be," said one employee who was let go on Wednesday. "It's going to be really tough for the people who are still there, because we were all already wearing two to three hats. Now, they're all going to be wearing four to six hats, and the compensation is not changing. I guess that's typical when businesses do this kind of thing, but that doesn't make it any easier."

..snip

What's going on Danny boy??

[NJmaverick]

1. I have been telling people (although not the lounge)

that I felt the current economic crisis would have a significant impact on the NFL. Teams like the Redskins, that have learned to milk their fans out of every penny, would be particularly hard hit (less room to absorb cut backs). I am wondering how it will play out with the Cowboys as well. I see their only saving grace being they are in energy country and big oil has not been hit nearly as hard. I think the Giants could also be hard hit with many of their sponsors and corporerate box holders being financial companies and banks.

If I am right about this issue, we should hear of falling Super Bowl commercial revenues (unless this is presold well in advance). I feel that SB commericals are more vanity than effective marketing. I feel that way because you are reaching such a diverse (and often drunk) audiance, that makes it a less than ideal marketing demographic. I can think of only a few products that sell accross the diverse demographic of the Super Bowl audiance.


THen I think those teams with heavy debt from new stadiums will be hit hard. I think it will be interesting in that it's possible there could be calls to reduce the salary caps or teams that don't come close to the cap. It's also possible owners will consider the players untouchable but everything else will be cut to the bone.

Finally I think MLB will be even harder hit than the NFL.

[undeterred]

8. The price of professional sporting events

has been out of range for a lot of people for quite a while. In this economy people are going to watch on tv.

[madinmaryland]

12. Watch and see what happens to the networks. I don't think any contracts

are up in the near future. They are going to be battered by the loss of ad revenue.

Also, watch for the NBA to take a hard hit.

[flvegan]

2. Cheerleading staff cuts!!! NOOOO!! Not the chicks in the little uniforms.

Dammit.

[JVS]

4. Couldn't they just save money by not having uniforms?

[flvegan]

6. I like the way you think. Might be able to increase revenue

by charging more for seats by the cheerleading section.

Ban bringing binoculars in, but then sell cheapy ones for $50.

We could brainstorm our way to a very profitable team.

[Missy Vixen]

3. There have already been layoffs within the Seahawks' non-player personnel

IIRC.

Our stadium has been sold out for years; our season ticket waiting list has several thousand on it, but I told my husband the other day I'm wondering how many people will drop their season tickets this time around due to lack of available funds. We've historically been pretty stable money-wise because of Microsoft, Adobe, Nintendo, etcetera. If the rumors of a huge Microsoft layoff are true, this is going to affect everyone in the area.

Let's face it: We're not up for an $8.50 beer right now, let alone paying two to three times face value for a Seahawks game ticket. Surprisingly enough, I think the Mariners may do better in this environment. Their stadium food and drink (and parking!) are also significantly overpriced, but it's possible to go to a Mariners game for $7.

Julie

[petronius]

5. I'm sure the Lions are praying the cuts will be based on seniority and not performance

:)

[madinmaryland]

11. They canned Matt Millen, which was a good start!!

[sasquatch]

7. When does Turtlensue fly in to save that Hitler-like owner of theirs?

:D

[madinmaryland]

10. Isn't she the evil Snyder Shill?? Maybe she got laid off.

:shrug:

[TZ]

13. I don't.

The man can go to hell as far as I'm concerned. I wish they'd bring back John Kent Cooke..x(

[SoxFan]

9. The Skins should start with Danny Snyder

[jobycom]

14. The Cowboys dumped Pacman and the Tank, so not all layoffs are bad.