An article on co-operative ownership of football clubs in the League of Ireland.

Might be of interest to some in this group.

It looks at the success of co-operative ownership in Irish professional football and the threat of new investment to the model.

Can it work? Would you want to own your club?

Will big money kill off community ownership in League of Ireland? (rte.ie)

https://preview.redd.it/0rfzjr7ilkxb1.png?width=926&format=png&auto=webp&s=c8ac0fd9acc1f7091614abf3888ef6ff16eff40f

  • DinoKea@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    So I made another post here of examples but I’m just going to make this on the pros and cons involved with fan ownership

    Cons

    • You will be out moneyed by richer single-owner clubs
    • Prone to creating imbalance within the league as larger clubs gain larger ownership and bigger clubs have an easier time attracting new fans. A vicious cycle
    • Risk of Failing to Adapt - Supporters getting locked in a cycle that stops working

    Pros

    • Non-Profit Football Clubs - tickets and shirts should be solid to break even, not price gouge supporters
    • No Stupidly Incompetent Owners - Fans will hold the boards responsible and are less likely to destroy their financial situations
    • Feeling and being a part of the club you support
    • Generally more stable clubs and should typically get good attendance
    • westbywestbywest@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      German football has seen it’s 3rd (Bremen), Stuttgart (4th), HSV (5th), Schalke (7th), and Hertha (11th) most successful Bundesliga Club, all fan owned, get relegated at least once the last 5 years because of idiotic decisions made by elected boards and Presidents.

      German football is still filled with horror stories, but at least fans get to vote out and then vote in new people when it gets bad and don’t have to sit by.