This isn't a post about an athlete overcoming tremendous odds to become successful in a sports endeavor. But, it is the best news about the ownership side of sports that I have read in a long time, and what I think will be a rare post about "Business Organizations".An England-based soccer (football) club has announced that controlling interest in its club has been purchased by an internet collective. The website collects about $70 per year from its members, and members get to vote on all aspects of team ownership....right down to who is signed to play, who gets to play, and how much to pay the players. The internet collective owns 51% of the team, and anticipates that it will use continuing membership fees to enhance the club, both on and off the field. But, the owner is "not-for-profit" meaning that the value of the team is not for distribution to the owners / members.
Now, there is room for mischief here, but there is also a lot of room for improving sports (by which I mean the game, the contest, and the fan support and loyalty). It's a small step, but there are a lot of pro teams in America that I would buy a piece of if I could be assured some control. I guess anybody can pay up and vote as an owner of this particular team, but better yet, I'm hoping this translates from British to American like so many other things. Click on the title to this post to go to the team website. And, here's a link to the owners.
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