Do Friendlies Exploit Supporters?
By: JT | July 22nd, 2007
As I saw the looks on the faces of Celtic supporters towards the end of the club’s atrocious performance against the MLS All Stars, I couldn’t help but answer with a resounding “YES”. It’s a safe bet that all the good folks who came wearing Hoops were not from the metro Denver area, but from all corners of North America. Since the match I’ve read stories of supporters who traveled from Alabama and New England just for the match, not even to stay in the city for the night. That’s a level of dedication to the club that was not reciprocated. All this money spent, and in return they get to see the club they love deliver an unquestionably inferior product.
Personally, I took a look at the price of airfare and tickets, and even though I would have had free lodging with friends in the area, declined to spring for the tickets, for what in the end turned out to be what manager Gordon Strachan would later term “a good training session.”
I didn’t really think about it too much more once my post-match write-up was posted, but this piece in today’s Scotland on Sunday made me realize a wider discussion is warranted. As Jim Duffy mentions, Celtic and Rangers like to claim they “never play friendlies”. That’s bogus, as we witnessed Thursday evening.
The simple, super-capitalist answer is that the consumer is expressing their freedom to choose where to spend their disposable leisure income. He or she knows that the product they are buying is extremely likely to be inferior, yet they still choose to spend the money for it. The market should then dictate the rate for the ticket.
But does a club with a strong community-based, working-class tradition have a moral obligation to ensure that their fans get what they pay for?
Are neutral fans like those in attendance the other night being bilked as well? They come to see the storied club in green-and-white and they get a collective sleepwalk from everyone but the keeper.
When we know we’re only going to get 75% effort, should we as consumers, demand to pay only 75% of regular ticket prices as Duffy suggests?
Am I just an idealist gone bonkers after watching Sunday morning political talk?
Celtic has recently announced they are opening 30 academies across North America with the express purpose of developing urban talent. If those same kids that they are targeting scrap together enough cash to come see the match, could Celtic justify the product they put on the pitch Thursday night to them?
I think not.
I know readers of The Offside are a football savvy crew, so I’m wondering what you think about this as it relates to Celtic, your club, or football business in general.
JT steps off soap box.
Category: 
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
      |
Comments
-
Although we’d like to believe that ” a club with a strong community-based, working-class tradition have a moral obligation to ensure that their fans get what they pay for?” I think we’ve gone way past that stage. After all money is king for them all.
Friendlies shouldn’t cost that much (cos in general they are naf), but perhaps with teams like Celtic, Rangers, Man U, Liverpool etc etc it is to be expected. Its not right, but its the way things are unfortunately. They can afford to charge what they like and lots of people will still turn up regardless.
The alternative is that you should all come and support Blackburn…only a fiver for our one home preseason game!
Posted from
United Kingdom
-
When we know we’re only going to get 75% effort, should we as consumers, demand to pay only 75% of regular ticket prices…?
As soon as people stop buying the high-priced tickets, the prices will come down - basic economics: a drop in demand leads to a reduction in prices.
The problem is that no single fan can do this on his own. It would have to occur on a coordinated basis among a large enough contingent of fans; that is unlikely to happen.
Personally, I don’t know why anyone would have wanted to spend hours of travel time and hundreds of dollars for that exhibition show (it was NOT a “friendly”, much less a “competitive” match!).
The pre-season overseas matches mean nothing except marketing and money for the teams. Unfortunately, that’s just how it goes.
Posted from
United States -
It is interesting to see how exhibition games in the States develop. A few years ago the friendlies seemed to be more competitive than they are today. You could almost justify paying big bucks to see Man U and Celtic play in Seattle even if you knew it was a game that wouldn’t count. That has changed a bit and a lot of teams are intent on getting in a little run and making a ton of money.
It is a tough call. How many times does one get a chance to see Celtic in person even if that Celtic is far from the real team?
Posted from
United States -
Thanks for the thoughtful comments guys, I’ve been on the road and thus, slow to respond.
Clare, thanks for the offer. I’m looking for a Prem team to follow this year (I generally pick 1 per year), so maybe it’ll be Blackburn.
Nick, coordinated consumer movements are easier now than ever with the net, it could happen. We’ll see if anything results from Hearts jacking up the price for visiting supporters when the Old Firm and Hibs come a calling. 30% increase if I’m not mistaken.
Bob, thats the thing, we don’t have a chance to be discriminating about when we spend our cash. We have little choice on any aspect of seeing the teams when they come to the States, much less the quality of play we see. and the club’s know this.
Posted from
United Kingdom
Comments are closed
Home 
