Have a pretty cool experience to share with you guys, today as part of a UCLA Economics program, some Dodgers related members shared some cool things that got me pumped for the future. The point of the program was to help start a Sports Economics program at UCLA, so the panel talked about some economic stuff behind the Dodgers (but mostly spent a lot of time talking about new Dodgers ownership). It was awesome. I'll go person by person, starting off with the coolest one: Peter Guber (Co-Owner of the Dodgers): This dude fucking gets it about the future. When asked about criticisms of the 2.15 billion dollar purchase he literally lol'd. Talked about how the ownership has already dished out 100+ mil on improving Dodger stadium cause they knew they had to do this not only for the fans but for the players. Mostly said that they need to make Dodger Stadium a place of the technological future and spent a long time talking about using mobile devices inside of Dodger Stadium to do a lot of things. I don't know how much is going to be implemented, but he talked about being able to buy tix on your phone, and give info on what you like as a fan so that when you get to the game you have interactive messages sent to you (for example, if you like jerseys, they will tell you what jerseys are for sale and when they have discounts). Talked about how it's not fair that customers pay money to go to a 3 hour game and end up spending up to 40 minutes waiting in line for food/restroom, so he'd want it to so you can order your food/merchandise from your phone (and be able to see interactive menus from your phone). Then he talked about replays on your phone. Talked about it being unfair and a bad business model to be able to watch replays sitting on your couch in your underwear (his words) but not be able to on the field because of the union (or where you are sitting). So he'd like to be able to send those replays to your phone. **All of this is with a definite highly improved cellular/wifi service at Dodger Stadium** I mean, this guy could have spent all day talking about what Dodger Stadium will be with our phones and technology, and it sounded awesome. He basically said that Dodger Stadium will be one of, if not THE, most technologically advanced baseball stadiums. Oh yeah, and he said there is gonna be TWO large screens at Dodger Stadium that will have VERY high resolution (one of the highest in a baseball field). Michael Young (Chief Revenue Officer): He kinda just reiterated what Guber was saying, but the biggest thing I got from him was that (if I heard his subtle hints right) he basically said that we'd soon hear about the new media deal that will change the way we think of Media Deals in Baseball Economics. Said that in the DVR age, sports is the one constant that people won't DVR so the new baseball media deals reflect the great advertisement that can be generated through sports games. Talked a lot about the new owners definitely putting in a lot of money in not just getting good players but making a better fan experience. Said that getting this double punch of on and off the field money is almost never seen in this amount. Barry Axelrod (MLB Player Agent): Had an interesting note that he had a couple cases where players (when money was equal) chose to NOT go to the Dodgers due to the facilities being from the 16th century. Said that the owners coming in and changing them is a great step forward and a underrated maneuver to help entice players to want to go. He said that when money is equal or not very different across teams, little things like that can make a huge difference. Also said that the new owners scare the hell out of other teams, and that agents are licking their chops cause these owners are using money they should be using, unlike other owners. Axelrod said that these new owners are great and he disliked the past two Dodgers owners lol Ron Cey: He had some cool anecdotes, and also talked a lot about the new ownership bringing on a new legacy that has died down due to poor ownership. Also touched on PEDs (ugh sorry to get into this lol) but said that those who are nostalgic and say the past eras wouldn't have taken PEDs are wrong because they would have, it's just human habit, and especially if it technically wasn't illegal by the MLB. So yeah, the new advancements to Dodger Stadium sound damn exciting.
That's awesome. Wish I was there! Did he say much about the new scoreboards? I hope they return to the old hexagonal shape from '62.
On prank day, I'm sending you a surprise from my phone. I will have 20 Dodger Dogs delivered to the top deck for you! I know how you love your Dodger Dogs
Kasten already tried to get Clayton to give away all the Loney shirts to the African kids. They were insulted.
so, any word about when is the Greinke signing announced??? did some said "we just want to fuck the Giants"?
There was a small thing after where you got to shake their hands and strike up a small convo and multiple ppl asked Guber about Grienke and he just laughed it off and talked about something else.
