 Yankees and Cowboys Team Up To Rip Off Fans In case you missed the news today, the Yanks and Cowboys have joined forces to create Legends Hospitality LLC. In a nutshell, the teams themselves will take over all vending and merchandising done at their respective new stadiums. The teams held a press conference earlier today to talk about the brave new world of hot dog slinging they hope to usher in with this new venture.They promised shorter lines, fresher food, and a return to the American dream of a ballgame with your kids free of missing whole innings to get a beer. Much like other promises we've been hearing recently, what they don't tell you about is the cost. In essence, the Cowboys and Yankees have cut the middle man out of the concession and merchandising businesses at their stadiums. What this could mean is lower prices for us, the fans. Unfortunately, the teams themselves will be the ones reaping the benefits of this streamlining. There wasn't one word on the price gauging taking place at the stadiums. They also failed to mention that the overall enjoyment of a game, from a food perspective, is going to be achieved by the design of the new stadiums. If you have any doubt, go to a game at any of the new parks across the country. The new parks have all been designed with the "fan experience" in mind. They've placed food stands at strategic locations, they've designed the stadiums to serve people more food quicker. It makes sense from a financial standpoint. So, yes, when you go to the new Yankee Stadium next year, or God forbid, that disgrace of a stadium in Texas, you'll be amazed by how easy it is to pay $10 for a beer, but don't be fooled. This new venture between the teams has little to do with the improvements, it's just a nice spin to put on another way for these teams to bilk their customers. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the Yanks and Cowboys, for that matter, look for new and innovative ways to make money. I'm especially happy that they put their gigantic profits back into their teams. It just irks me a little bit when it costs $500 to take a family of four to a baseball game and the respective owners are smiling for the cameras because they found another way to squeeze money out of us. 
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I gotta hand it to ya, Brian... You are so on top of all this! Way to be on top of your game with the latest breaking news!
As a former trader, one thing not strongly mentioned is that there is another partner in this business venture. It's Goldman Sacks, Wall Street money grubbers. They must have smelled a way of making a fortune here.
Also, does it cover merchandising and TV agreements for both teams? How extensive is the collaboration?
You're right, the fans will never see the cost benefit of this. But if they are capable of improving the quality and delivery of the food, at least that is some small consolation.
On an unrelated topic, is there anyone who is going to cover the Brett Favre ratting out his old team and teammates story?
Nothing about the cable rights in this one. The Yanks already clean up with YES, the Cowboys are tied into the NFL TV deals, so they can't really branch out in that department.
PS...
This is why the Yankees and hated Cowboys are able to afford to back up a truck with money and sign guys that other teams can't afford to sign.
You gotta admire the business sense there, even while begrudgingly paying top dollar. Both owners are willing to pull out all the stops to win. I wish we had ownership like that in Philly for both the Eagles and the Phillies.
This is another example of how Jerry Jones finds ways to break the socialist revenue structure of the NFL, I like that.
Brian,
Off topic, but what happened to SML? I miss reading his blog.
And is anyone covering the Brett Favre ratting out his team and calling the Lions?
I think life has intervened for SML.
For Jets' coverage, check out Green Pinstripes, I'm not sure if he's written anything on Favre's double dealing, though.
What up JJ. I scribbled some thoughts on the Favre situation. Let me know what you think.
I dont get it Brian. If it means possibly lower prices for fans and fresher,faster food whats the downside ?
The fresher, faster food doesn't have anything to do w/ the new venture. You get that in every new stadium across the country, it's the new design of the stadiums. They take things like traffic patterns, distance to seat, etc. into account when they plan stadiums so fans spend less time in line, more time in their seats etc. It's a great development actually, instead of designing stadiums to pack as many people in like cattle, they actually worry about the experience for the fans once they're in.
My problem is that they won't be passing the savings off to the fans, they'll just be pocketing the huge margins on $10 hot dogs.
It's a business, I get that, but don't pretend you're doing this out of some altruistic feeling for your customers, just call it what it is, another great way to get rich at the fans' expense.
It IS another way to get rich but you did mention there would be the chance that food may be cheaper as a result. Even if a hot dog is a dollar cheaper...its still cheaper. Its no different than a 8 dollar beer at a strip club or a 5 dollar bottle of poland spring at an outdoor concert. If people will pay it...they will charge it. There are no good guys in big business who think about the little guy.