I'm not a voting member yet (was a Leagues Club member from 1976 until 1985 but then moved miles away from the beaches) but will be again in another year.
As someone who is not eligible to vote, even though I am a member, the parties that be do not believe it is necessary to explain why there is a need for change and what they propose to do if the board changes.
Some say that the Penn's will have full control. Well what is the Penn's vision for the club compared to the rest of the current board? Maybe those who are voting members have received heaps of mail regarding this, but I can't see it anywhere in this blog (mind you I didn't really look that closely).
From Penn's previously published visions it would appear that he is trying to make Manly an international brand like Man U and other English clubs, with games in the UAE, China and the like and probably moving us away from Brookie to a major stadium. Basically increase the $ value of the brand, as his investment at the moment is probably worth diddly squat what he paid for it and has had to invest in it since.
In August this year, Scott Penn indicated that he foresaw a change in ownership prior to the 2014 season, with his family potentially selling to major sponsors who have an interest in buying. So at that time he was obviously fed up with what's going on at board level, affecting changes he and his family wants to make to probably build value in the brand (I'm guessing) or limit his future investment costs to prop the club up, even though we made a small profit this year.
However, in 2011 he had a different focus and foresaw much more cooperation with Quantum after they took a major share in the business and their apparent commercial outlook. Unfortunately for his family, given that Quantum seem against Penn, this has obviously not transpired.
In his interview in 2011 he stated that Television was definitely a detriment to attendance at games (even though the TV contract covers the entire FG salary cap) and to attract attendance; " So I think that as a game we have to look at how we can make that atmosphere even better. Gone are the days of just turning up and watching the game. We need to turn it into an entertainment experience."
He also said; "If you have a choice of watching it (on TV) at 7.30 on a Friday night when it is pouring with rain outside and 10C, what is your choice? I think that the TV spectacle is outstanding but it can never replicate being at a game live". I agree with this totally, we are very fickle, particularly with our kids health and the ease of saying 'Stuff it I'll just watch it on tele' when you have the archaic facilities we have at Brookie in typical winter night weather and the bloody NRL, that won't give us our wonderful Sunday arvos on the hill.
So what am I saying?
I have no idea really what Penn and his family vision is for the club that he has 49%+ ownership of. One minute he has a long term vision, the next minute he wants out, but apart from games in Dubai, China and more of an entertainment experience, I am damned if I know what his future vision is for the club.
Come on Scott, you remember the speech... "I have a dream....".
Can you just share a little bit more of it please so those who can vote can decide if they want to come along for the ride.
As someone who is not eligible to vote, even though I am a member, the parties that be do not believe it is necessary to explain why there is a need for change and what they propose to do if the board changes.
Some say that the Penn's will have full control. Well what is the Penn's vision for the club compared to the rest of the current board? Maybe those who are voting members have received heaps of mail regarding this, but I can't see it anywhere in this blog (mind you I didn't really look that closely).
From Penn's previously published visions it would appear that he is trying to make Manly an international brand like Man U and other English clubs, with games in the UAE, China and the like and probably moving us away from Brookie to a major stadium. Basically increase the $ value of the brand, as his investment at the moment is probably worth diddly squat what he paid for it and has had to invest in it since.
In August this year, Scott Penn indicated that he foresaw a change in ownership prior to the 2014 season, with his family potentially selling to major sponsors who have an interest in buying. So at that time he was obviously fed up with what's going on at board level, affecting changes he and his family wants to make to probably build value in the brand (I'm guessing) or limit his future investment costs to prop the club up, even though we made a small profit this year.
However, in 2011 he had a different focus and foresaw much more cooperation with Quantum after they took a major share in the business and their apparent commercial outlook. Unfortunately for his family, given that Quantum seem against Penn, this has obviously not transpired.
In his interview in 2011 he stated that Television was definitely a detriment to attendance at games (even though the TV contract covers the entire FG salary cap) and to attract attendance; " So I think that as a game we have to look at how we can make that atmosphere even better. Gone are the days of just turning up and watching the game. We need to turn it into an entertainment experience."
He also said; "If you have a choice of watching it (on TV) at 7.30 on a Friday night when it is pouring with rain outside and 10C, what is your choice? I think that the TV spectacle is outstanding but it can never replicate being at a game live". I agree with this totally, we are very fickle, particularly with our kids health and the ease of saying 'Stuff it I'll just watch it on tele' when you have the archaic facilities we have at Brookie in typical winter night weather and the bloody NRL, that won't give us our wonderful Sunday arvos on the hill.
So what am I saying?
I have no idea really what Penn and his family vision is for the club that he has 49%+ ownership of. One minute he has a long term vision, the next minute he wants out, but apart from games in Dubai, China and more of an entertainment experience, I am damned if I know what his future vision is for the club.
Come on Scott, you remember the speech... "I have a dream....".
Can you just share a little bit more of it please so those who can vote can decide if they want to come along for the ride.
