It's one thing to say that a football club is owned by its fans, it is another to observe it. FC Barcelona, the knight in shining armor for all that is glorious surrounding football fan-ownership, is commonly looked to for an example of a club where the fans really do own the club. Members get to vote, and can even run to be owner.
But can a born-and-bred Catalan who has been watching the club play since before he could walk ever seriously run the club? This article exposes the most recent election for what it really is: a formality to appease those hopeful fans while making sure the club is held by the privileged few.
Yes, members get to "vote" for the owner of the club, but with barriers to entry such as a 77 million euro deposit, it is clear that there is a significant void between candidates, and those seriously considered as fit to run the club.
http://www.espnfc.com/club/barcelona/83/blog/post/2516364/barcelona-elections-show-fan-ownership-not-what-it-seems
-Jordan Rodriguez
I definitely agree with you here on this topic of fan ownership. FC Barça prides themselves on being 'Mes que un Club' giving off the sense of community or family and I believe that they take advantage of this to make a profit. At one point I think people will realize that the club has turned into more of a business than a club, but I do not think this will matter because they have such a large following, and tradition.
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ReplyDeleteI agree as well. I think that the "Mes Que un Club" isn't as authentic as it once was. Personally, I think that fan ownership/membership is more symbolic than effective. At the end of the day, any business (FC Barcelona included) is driven by making money. I'm curious to see what happens with their new stadium - the members recently voted against moving to a new location because the Camp Nou is in the middle of the city. However, if Real Madrid's stadium plans go through, I wouldn't be surprised if the Barca board forces a move as well to remain competitive with their rivals.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with what you have said here. It definitely puts "fans" into perspective and gives them a new meaning as to what it means that the "fans" own the club. Does a "fan" mean that you have a 77 million euro deposit to make a difference? They wouldn't flat out say that but I think it does mean that. The "fans" are people with power and money, and they really own the club. However do you think that regular catalans feel like they own the club, or do you think they feel short sided ?
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ReplyDeleteI agree with what you say here, having restrictions on it's members really puts the "Mas Que un Club" ideal into perspective, however to sustain a football club you do still need money. Here in lies the difficulty with having a passionate business. Not any random fan can run for the club without money, but without the money that this well-off fan puts up to run for the club, the club could not survive. The members still vote for the club owner, so at least those without the money to put up to run for the club still have a say in who runs it. There is always going to be this money power struggle in sports, business, and life. I think Barcelona does it's best to keep it's "Mas Que un Club" identity, but football clubs are still a business and there will always be money requirements involved. Even with this, I don't think that makes FCB a club OR a business, it is both, which is a lot more than you can say about most other football "clubs" today.
ReplyDeleteJackie Brett
I definitely think "Mes Que un Club" has become more symbolic than reality. I agree that putting a $77 million euro deposit limits the reality of fans being members . That being said, I think that if you were to talk to fans regardless of the official title, they would consider themselves members. I think as time goes on membership has become more about the community FCB offers, rather than the actual decision making an official member has.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jackie when she says the money is vital to the survival of the club. While in a literal sense this takes "membership" away from your average joe, I don't believe it takes away from the sense of community and family the club has built.
Lindsay Schiff
Valid point Jackie. I agree that not every member is in a role where they are seeking leadership or decision-making power. The sense of community reaches far beyond the few people who run for office within the club, and that should not be overlooked.
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