I got in asap and it's pretty exciting that we've agreed in principle to buy a club and are just waiting for the announcement. Best $70.00 I've ever spent and nothing's happened. Fence, we'll be holding an owners only meeting down the pub shortly.
Does anyone know of other publicly traded pro sports teams? When the New England Patriots were first started in 1960, a number of shares of stock were sold. The stock was quoted on one exchange or another for quite some time. I believe it was non-voting stock, and was all bought back or otherwise disposed of within a few years. The Boston Celtics, some years ago, I can't remember exactly when, also sold some non-voting stock. It had more of a souvenir value than any actual hope of gain, but it sold out quickly. Neither case was really one of public ownership, but was a way of raising money.
I thought Man U, Spurs, Arsenal and Leeds (RIP) were publicly traded. Some of them might have gone private after a poor experience with the stock market and with the emergence of new billionaire owners. But that's just a guess based on poor recollection. So do with it what you will.
If, however, rcade is referring to teams that are fan-owned, they might want to take a gander at MK Dons or FC United (whatever that disgruntled fan-based spinoff of Man U is called) or Barcelona. Again, I might be wrong, but it's a lot easier than looking it up on Wikipedia.
whatever that disgruntled fan-based spinoff of Man U is called FC United of Manchester. I think we had a story on them a while back. Founded for different reasons than rcade's AFC Wimbledon, however both sets of fans now feel more gruntled about supporting a genuine local team. I thought Barca were privately owned, but like other Spanish teams, the 'socios' are semi-official community organisations for fans, arranging season tickets, trips etc but not involved in actually running the club.
Manchester United were publically traded, but when Glazer took over he delisted them and transferred the debt accrued buying the Devils to back to the club.
I thought the officers of the Spanish clubs were elected by the members/socios.
I think you're right, Bill. I'd forgotten about the elections.
