SQL Utilities/Financial Utility

[Ryan]

Well that's easy to see who that is going after so I'll repeat what I told Brad.

I don't understand the OOTP financial system nor baseball economics to any great extent, I apologize. I do believe that anything that evens the playing field like a hard cap and closer together market sizes is a good thing.

The NFL is a dominant force these days because of the salary cap and revenue sharing. Every season a good share of the teams have a chance for the title and it has made it exciting and generated more interest. I think anything that resembles or brings us closer to that model (which is what ours sounds like) is a great idea.

I thought the NFL was as popular as it is because it appeals to the lowest common denominator.

[Matt]

I'm not looking it up again and this may no longer be true since last season, but I thought I remembered that more teams have won a title in the MLB in the past 20 years than in the NBA or NFL.

I agree with this as the NFL has had dynasties...the Cowboys in the 90's, the Pat's in the 00's...but this doesn't represent parity IMO.

Parity is the fact that every single team in the NFC East this season has a chance to win the division...and play in the Super Bowl. If you are a Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, or Giants fan you have hope, which generates interest, which generates revenue.

As for back on topic I like the idea of the 6-8 for market size and a hard cap. Over time the smaller teams will creep up and the cap will make people have to pay attention to what/how much/how long they are signing guys too.

It's like the WLB...and like Alan's FOOL leagues. It creates high and lows but the good managers still find a way to keep winning.

[Andrew]

Does this factor in the 30% revenue redistribution?

Those budget numbers are the before. The after looks like:

Team Current Budget
Baltimore Bulldogs $122,010,000.00
Virginia Colonials $116,060,000.00
Washington Bats $116,000,000.00
Syracuse Slammers $108,890,000.00
Hyundai Dinos $107,140,000.00
Sin City Gamblers $105,680,000.00
Dallas Snappers $102,740,000.00
Carolina Tobs $100,280,000.00
Windy City Playboys $99,040,000.00
Los Alamos Bandits $98,870,000.00
Maine Guides $97,820,000.00
Philadelphia Freedom $95,970,000.00
California Kodiaks $95,940,000.00
Pawtucket Patriots $94,580,000.00
Denver Bulls $91,130,000.00
Wilmington Wildcats $87,690,000.00
Indianapolis Clowns $84,720,000.00
Pittsburgh Millers $82,630,000.00
Davenport Brawlers $81,780,000.00
Mississippi Storm $80,360,000.00
Los Lunas Javelinas $80,300,000.00
Hartford Whalers $75,060,000.00
Batavia Muckdogs $73,910,000.00
Morgantown Mohawks $69,830,000.00

[Andrew]

I'm a little confused as to how it's coming up with these budget numbers though.

Using Morgantown as an example... Their 1990 budget was $62m. Using the new numbers it calculated a budget of $69m. However, when you look at the details they are getting about $32m more in media revenue and revenue sharing. Even after you subtract the $7m they finished in the red, it would still be $25m more so everything else being equal (gate and merchandising revenue) shouldn't their budget be more like $87m instead of $69m?

Under the 6-8 budget numbers there is only $13.5m difference in media revenue between the top teams and bottom teams compared to about $35m right now. All the numbers look much better to me except the budgets. I think it would take a few years for the budgets to somewhat normalize.

[Andrew]

And one last anomaly before I leave for vacation. Even though the average media contract remained unchanged, the average media revenue went up from $45m to $51.75m meaning there would be a cash influx

[Spear]

I actually really like how we've imitated MLB by not having every team on an equal playing field. I'd prefer to keep something resembling the status quo.

I'm opposed to the cap, but I don't have any solutions to offer, so I won't fight it either.

I agree with this.

I see the reasons why a cap makes sense but at the end of the day it just doesn't feel like baseball.

But of course this is fictional baseball and if a cap is the best thing for the health of the league then by all means let's do it up.

[BradZ]

I'm a little confused as to how it's coming up with these budget numbers though.

Using Morgantown as an example... Their 1990 budget was $62m. Using the new numbers it calculated a budget of $69m. However, when you look at the details they are getting about $32m more in media revenue and revenue sharing. Even after you subtract the $7m they finished in the red, it would still be $25m more so everything else being equal (gate and merchandising revenue) shouldn't their budget be more like $87m instead of $69m?

Under the 6-8 budget numbers there is only $13.5m difference in media revenue between the top teams and bottom teams compared to about $35m right now. All the numbers look much better to me except the budgets. I think it would take a few years for the budgets to somewhat normalize.

Stingy owner? Maybe there's an in game govenor over how much a team budget can increase year to year?

[Gyrodork]

For me, the "bottom line" is simply reducing and maintaining the gap between the highest and lowest budgets. We don't lack for options; and whichever option(s) we choose will be fine with me. We'll all have to adjust our strategies to be competitive in the new environment.

[funclown]

I'm a little confused as to how it's coming up with these budget numbers though.

Using Morgantown as an example... Their 1990 budget was $62m. Using the new numbers it calculated a budget of $69m. However, when you look at the details they are getting about $32m more in media revenue and revenue sharing. Even after you subtract the $7m they finished in the red, it would still be $25m more so everything else being equal (gate and merchandising revenue) shouldn't their budget be more like $87m instead of $69m?

Under the 6-8 budget numbers there is only $13.5m difference in media revenue between the top teams and bottom teams compared to about $35m right now. All the numbers look much better to me except the budgets. I think it would take a few years for the budgets to somewhat normalize.

Could this have something to do with each team's new owner rating? If thats the case I say leave it as is. I LOVE the fact each of us will have to deal with unique personalities:)))

[Andrew]

Could this have something to do with each team's new owner rating? If thats the case I say leave it as is. I LOVE the fact each of us will have to deal with unique personalities:)))

No, that feature is somewhat disabled. We have it set to "Entire Budget Available" instead of "Owners Controls Budget"

We could always change that if people are interested.

[Delandis]

No, that feature is somewhat disabled. We have it set to "Entire Budget Available" instead of "Owners Controls Budget"

We could always change that if people are interested.

I'd like that. Gives it more of a GM feel.

[BradZ]

I'd like that. Gives it more of a GM feel.

Be careful, you have an "Economizer" as an owner. He may tighten up your purse strings to Batavia level finances if you don't produce.

[Delandis]

Be careful, you have an "Economizer" as an owner. He may tighten up your purse strings to Batavia level finances if you don't produce.

All I have to do is play .500 ball. That's my specialty.

[Matt]

I would have been + .500 if I didn't have to play Philly every other game. Speaking of will the old schedule be put in place or for ease are we letting HAL pick it and skipping the All-Star game again?

And I like entire budget available unless we can kill off the GM every few seasons. In my SP league I've had the same guy for 5+ years and that's a long time in MP time.

So...6-8, hard cap, entire budget. It's like the WLB but with a little parity due to the 6-8. With the hard cap there though it was still possible to go over the $65 mil, I had to cut players on teams over. That means out of game work for the commish though. If we just want the finance guy inside the game to handle it and let some teams go over since that's easier I'd have no problem.

[BradZ]

I would have been + .500 if I didn't have to play Philly every other game. Speaking of will the old schedule be put in place or for ease are we letting HAL pick it and skipping the All-Star game again?

And I like entire budget available unless we can kill off the GM every few seasons. In my SP league I've had the same guy for 5+ years and that's a long time in MP time.

So...6-8, hard cap, entire budget. It's like the WLB but with a little parity due to the 6-8. With the hard cap there though it was still possible to go over the $65 mil, I had to cut players on teams over. That means out of game work for the commish though. If we just want the finance guy inside the game to handle it and let some teams go over since that's easier I'd have no problem.

You were 10-11 against us. You more than held your own. You should focus your negativity on BAL and CAL (15-26 combined).

I liked the variety of this past season's schedule. Maybe a little too much interleague, but I liked the change overall.