Albert Pujols and his ability to generate revenue?

[Nader Raider Tim]

Firstly didn't know whether I should start a new topic or just throw this in with the Brewers 1st Base thread. I started the new one because while the topic is partially based around the Brewers it is also more broadly focused on any team signing him.

 

Also let me start by saying I know Albert Pujols will not be signing in Milwaukee. However, I've been curious to see what others opinions are on Pujols ability to generate revenue for a club weighted against his contract size. For sake of argument I am going to use the Brewers as the signing team, although the argument is valid for any club. While I am bad at writing out my argument the gist of it will be gotten. This is one of my favorite "bar" conversations lately.

 

So let's say the Brewers sign Albert Pujols to a 9 year $240 Million contract, with an additional 2% share of the team. Along with that contract there would have to be an "adjustment" of the Brewers payroll going forward. Instead of a payroll pushing $100 Million over the next few years management would have to adjust and be willing to push it into the $115 - $125 range, or about what the Twins assumed payroll will be this year.

 

Firstly Albert is a great player, a team based around Albert and Braun would be a scary offense for years and years. No singular move would make the odds of the Brewers making the playoffs over the next 5 years than signing Pujols. Along with improving the Brewers on the field signing Pujols would vault the Brewers to a whole different scale on national fanbase. More national coverage, more jerseys, more attention from the national media. Pujols brings with him a yearly chance at MVPs and in the future a hopeful run at the Home Run title.

 

With all that Pujols can bring would he also have the ability to inflate the overall value of the Brewers? To me Albert screams Barry Bonds, and I mean that in the good way. If the Giants would never have traded for and signed Bonds where would that franchise be value wise, and where would they be in terms of national fanbase?

 

While I will agree that Pujols will not be worth every penny of his contract over the life of the deal will he be so far off that the difference wouldn't be recoupable?

 

Again this isn't meant to be a the Brewers should sign XXX thread it is simply a conversation about what kind of value on the field and off, long term and short term that Pujols will bring to whatever team signs him. I only used the Brewers because well I like the Brewers. Realistically a team like Pittsburg signing Pujols would probably be able to generate more revenue by signing him. The Brewers should hopefully have build up a fanbase that will drawn 2.75+ million fans for the next few years. A team like Pittsburgh signing Pujols would get a massive boost in ticket sales.

[Invader3K]

It's an iteresting idea, but I'll say for now that MLB teams cannot give shares or part ownership to players.

[logan82]

Almost no free agent will generate enough money to cover his contract except possibly in the bigger markets. Even that is probably debatable. You could probably argue that teams like the Yankees would bring in tons of money unless they have an extended streak of bad seasons. Even then they wouldn't Wins and losses drive profit. Almost no single player makes a dramatic enough change in wins and losses to cover their own salary.(other than prearby players)

 

The Brewers wouldn't gain much revenue from national exposure. Sales of Brewers fan gear gets split evenly outside of at the stadium and a few places around the Milwaukee area. I think the national TV revenue probably is as well. All internet stuff is split evenly so MLB TV goes to everybody.

 

Bottom line is that Pujols only makes sense to bigger teams.