Players contracts, our budget, and the Amex...

[dingobruce]

Don't know diddly squat about contract negotiations, however I've been wondering about this for a while...

When we move to the Amex we stop paying rent for the Withdean, the amount of bums on seats will increase, hence our yearly income will be far greater than what we have at the moment. On top of the footballing side I'd imagine the club will be raking in a decent amount from the corporate side of the stadium. This will surely allow us a much larger playing budget and more specifically wage budget.

With contract negotiations this summer will Gus and Tony be inserting a "raise" clause into contracts? For example offering 4k a week for this season but doubling this to 8k a week for our first season at the Amex?

Like I said, I know naught about contract negotiations, just a thought!

 

[strings]

Interesting thought. It all depends on how the loans to Mr Bloom are paid off I guess. Nevertheless, being in a stadium that doesn't lose us money every time we kick a ball will help a lot.

 

[The Merry Prankster]

Don't know diddly squat about contract negotiations, however I've been wondering about this for a while...

When we move to the Amex we stop paying rent for the Withdean, the amount of bums on seats will increase, hence our yearly income will be far greater than what we have at the moment. On top of the footballing side I'd imagine the club will be raking in a decent amount from the corporate side of the stadium. This will surely allow us a much larger playing budget and more specifically wage budget.

With contract negotiations this summer will Gus and Tony be inserting a "raise" clause into contracts? For example offering 4k a week for this season but doubling this to 8k a week for our first season at the Amex?

Like I said, I know naught about contract negotiations, just a thought!

Alternatively it might mean no new money available just that we stop losing £4 000 000 (or whatever it is now) a year. I wouldn't get my hopes up too high.

 

[BigGully]

Don't know diddly squat about contract negotiations, however I've been wondering about this for a while...

When we move to the Amex we stop paying rent for the Withdean, the amount of bums on seats will increase, hence our yearly income will be far greater than what we have at the moment. On top of the footballing side I'd imagine the club will be raking in a decent amount from the corporate side of the stadium. This will surely allow us a much larger playing budget and more specifically wage budget.

With contract negotiations this summer will Gus and Tony be inserting a "raise" clause into contracts? For example offering 4k a week for this season but doubling this to 8k a week for our first season at the Amex?

Like I said, I know naught about contract negotiations, just a thought!

Income may well increase but overall costs are likely to increase too.

As Strings said it depends on Mr Blooms financing agreement and the crowds that will attend, so its a tough one.

Playing budgets are likely to increase too, either to attract players that can improve our chances of progressing or to keep us competitive at a higher level than now.

The 'raise clause' just as part of playing in a different more luxurious stadium is unlikely, players would be rewarded by the agreed bonus system which of course is negotiable.

 

[Icy Gull]

I think Bloom may want the stadium and marketing to generate the funds to rise through the leagues. Most on here think he will just stick his hand in his pocket and fund it. I think he may have funded more than he wanted to given the perilous state the building of the stadium was when the recession hit and will be unwilling to throw more millions at the team.. Be nice if he did but gonna be a shame if he gets crucified by "want it now" fans if he doesn't as he has already done more than any of us could have dreamt of a couple of years ago

 

[clippedgull]

Obviously Mr TB wants his cash back, although not immediately.

I would have thought that the playing budget will be significantly increased to Gus next year as per increased attendances, revenue, corporate events etc.

If not I for one will be asking why I am paying £1,000 for my season ticket for League One football when we can only compete with the likes of Yeovil for players.

Yes,it was my choice to sign up, but I signed to the dream authorized by the board and sold to us. I appreciate promotion can never be guaranteed but the funds for the players to give us an advantage can be.

Having said all that, TB is no fool, he knows Championship football is a minimum requirement at Falmer. I am positive he will deliver it very shortly!

 

[Icy Gull]

Having said all that, TB is no fool, he knows Championship football is a minimum requirement at Falmer. !

I'd say you are very wrong, a decent League One campaign with us near the top will come close to filling the stadium next year. A footballing and successful Albion team does not need to be in the Championship imo. We had massive crowds in the days of Ward and Mellor in this very division

 

[clippedgull]

I'd say you are very wrong, a decent League One campaign with us near the top will come close to filling the stadium next year. A footballing and successful Albion team does not need to be in the Championship imo. We had massive crowds in the days of Ward and Mellor in this very division

Aah! But I didn't say we had to be in the Championship for next season. You are correct, good results and the Falmer factor will ensure very good figures for our first season there. But, year two, year three? The novelty factor for floaters returning would be wearing thin by then if we are still playing League One football I believe.

 

[Acker79]

Does Bloom want his cash back? Isn't his loan set to be paid back as shares?

 

[clippedgull]

Does Bloom want his cash back? Isn't his loan set to be paid back as shares?

I think the agreement is to be paid back by 2023 and an option is available to convert to shares any remaining balance owed at that point.

 

[Nappy thrower]

I'd say you are very wrong, a decent League One campaign with us near the top will come close to filling the stadium next year. A footballing and successful Albion team does not need to be in the Championship imo. We had massive crowds in the days of Ward and Mellor in this very division

I say you are wrong.Being in the championship is a must regardless if we are struggling.Being in the championship alone you recieve 2 million in tv money.You make more money in the championship.You also more likely to fill the away end more times then in league 1.
Bottom line is..Falmer=championship football=nothing less will do.

 

[H block]

How much do we actually pay in rent to the council for Withdean ?

 

[dingobruce]

How much do we actually pay in rent to the council for Withdean ?

I seem to remember about £2 million a season, but I may be completely wrong!

 

[Icy Gull]

I say you are wrong.Being in the championship is a must regardless if we are struggling.Being in the championship alone you recieve 2 million in tv money.You make more money in the championship.You also more likely to fill the away end more times then in league 1.
Bottom line is..Falmer=championship football=nothing less will do.

We'll have to agree to differ, the £2million we get will have to be spent on just one player. Yes we'd get a full away end but I'd rather see a top 6 or 7 team in League 1 than a struggling team in the Championship. Until we can afford to compete, and we can't at the moment, I'd be happy for us to spend a couple of seasons getting to the Championship with a full stadium to fill the coffers, even if the away end is seldom full.

If Bloom decides to throw millions at the team however it would be a different scenario completely. Absolutley no sign of him doing this though, is there?

 

[HastingsSeagull]

I think we'll see lots of higher profile 'free' transfers on better wages, but very little initial outlay in terms of up front cash. We're not going to be the next Leeds, Wednesday, Hudds, Scumhampton etc. buying 7-8 players for money but will be able to compete with these teams in terms of attracting free agents.

 

[Eastbourne Stripes]

Obviously the playing budget will increase inline with higher revenues, i agree
with a previous post that its not mandatory that money be spent on transfer fees to improve the quality of players.I Also believe its no coinsidence that tickets for the Amex go on sale in the Autumn this will generate revenue for the jan transfer window Expect a big signing then. Until then be patient and look at the massive improvement already under Gus, the future is very bright
for The Albion

 

[CHAPPERS]

I think we'll see lots of higher profile 'free' transfers on better wages, but very little initial outlay in terms of up front cash. We're not going to be the next Leeds, Wednesday, Hudds, Scumhampton etc. buying 7-8 players for money but will be able to compete with these teams in terms of attracting free agents.

Exactly. We are still a few years behind the clubs you mention and I think Bloom is going to build a decent business model as opposed to lobbing money at the playing side.

 

[DIFFBROOK]

Exactly. We are still a few years behind the clubs you mention and I think Bloom is going to build a decent business model as opposed to lobbing money at the playing side.

I think you are right. Plus its really the only sustainable way forward. I think Bloom may need to pump money into the playing side initially, but in the medium to longer term its the revenue from Falmer that will sustain us.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

Exactly. We are still a few years behind the clubs you mention and I think Bloom is going to build a decent business model as opposed to lobbing money at the playing side.

Agree totally, and I think that's what he said/implied when he converted the £16m or so loans into shares and obtained a majority shareholding last year.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Obviously the playing budget will increase inline with higher revenues, i agree
with a previous post that its not mandatory that money be spent on transfer fees to improve the quality of players.I Also believe its no coinsidence that tickets for the Amex go on sale in the Autumn this will generate revenue for the jan transfer window Expect a big signing then. Until then be patient and look at the massive improvement already under Gus, the future is very bright
for The Albion

Bloom and Poyet are both on record as saying they don't like doing business in the January window so I won't expect a big signing then. When we move to Falmer the club will look a much more attractive option both for potential players and investors. "If you build it they will come."