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Post by aco227 on Jul 3, 2013 6:20:27 GMT -8
Hey everyone, I've been a long-time reader, and really enjoy what goes on over here--especially as it pertains to Aztecs basketball. Just yesterday, I started a petition in regards to the Padres television situation. In short, Time Warner Cable STILL does not cover Padres game, leaving many North County citizens trapped in the middle of an ugly money dispute. In my humble opinion, this has gone on for far too long, and it's now in OUR HANDS to address the situation. Check out my petition, and give it a sign if you like what you see. Spread the word, and let's see what we can do with this thing! Cheers, Alex www.change.org/petitions/end-the-disputes-and-bring-padres-telecasts-to-twc |
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Post by aco227 on Jul 3, 2013 21:33:04 GMT -8
UPDATE: The petition has reached nearly 50 signatures in under 24 hours. Thank you to everyone who has already read and/or signed it. I am currently making plans to meet with the Padres General Counsel at the beginning of August to address this issue. In addition, I've reached out to all of the Sports writers at the UT, producers and executives at XX 1090, mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher, and more. The goal is to accumulate as many signatures as possible before then.
IF you consider this issue at all important to the success of the Padres/San Diego sports, PLEASE do your part and send the petition link to anyone you know who may be interested, with a (friendly!) recommendation that they do the same . It is of my firm belief that, if we can get this petition to reach a substantial number of San Diegans, we can force the Padres, TWC and FSSD to at least consider the plight of the people. I will happily make time to meet and/or speak to any of those parties willing to address the issue at hand.
Thanks for your time, and always remember, KEEP THE FAITH!
Alex
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Post by La Mesa Aztec on Jul 3, 2013 23:02:43 GMT -8
LOL. What good is a petition? Voting with your feet is what could work if enough people were willing to leave TWC over the Padre games. Obviously enough haven't been.
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Post by aco227 on Jul 4, 2013 6:48:15 GMT -8
LOL. What good is a petition? Voting with your feet is what could work if enough people were willing to leave TWC over the Padre games. Obviously enough haven't been. Thanks for the support. Your support for the team is emanating vibrantly. If you'd been paying any attention, you'd know there was already an "actual" Vote cast in March to address the issue by city officials through a resolution. Unfortunately, as is the case with many resolutions in this country, the vote was SYMBOLIC IN NATURE, and has no binding nature whatsoever. By initiating a petition with enough signatures, we can force the hand of the Padres, FSSD and TWC. By showing them that Padres fans will no longer tolerate this lack of concern over a very real issue, they must at least address the problem. I, personally, have already initiated a meeting with Padres General Counsel, one that should take place at the beginning of August. It would appear I've already done more than you could imagine possible. Furthermore, it's ludicrous to ask consumers to switch their cable providers for the sole purpose of watching Padres games. And frankly, do you buy the argument that TWC will finally bend once enough consumers switch cable providers? The fact is, La Mesa Aztec, if those consumers switch providers to ATT U-Verse or any of the Satellite providers, they WILL NOT return to TWC ex post facto if the parties do finally reach an agreement. In this instance, TWC is hesitant to agree to terms with FSSD because--by televising Padres games--they will lose money overhead. That is a fair argument, and I address this fact in my petition (if you were to actually read it instead of simply scoffing at it). HOWEVER, the fact remains that the Padres maintain a 20% share in FSSD. Should it not be in their economic best interest to increase the potential viewership of their product on the field? Since you live in La Mesa, you're clearly not aware that many North County citizens have already stopped going to games altogether-- unfortunately, they feel as if they have no need to support a team that's leaving them out in the cold (This is not my position, and I will continue to support the team in whatever way I can). If you actually read my petition, you'll realize this is not a TWC cable problem. This is a Padres, FSSD, and TWC cable collective action problem. Because the dispute is centered on these three parties, no one is willing to shoulder the burden (i.e. $$$). After signing a $1.2 billion contract with FSSD, centered on a $200 million advance, there's a bit of money laying around somewhere. It's irresponsible of all three parties to allow this to continue, at the expense of taxpaying citizens, and lifelong Padres fans.
So the question we really should be asking then, is: Do the Padres even care about this 20% of San Diego? If not, they should. Because there's thousands of people in the North County, who paid the same taxes for our beautiful park, who've been attending Padres games for years, and who care mightily about the success of this team. Unfortunately, there's also a lot of people in San Diego like you, who don't care. And that's fine. Because at the end of the day, we still live in San Diego.
But the next time you show up to a Padres-Dodgers game, and you're surprised that there's 40K screaming, obnoxious Dodgers fans sitting all over "YOUR" ballpark. Don't complain--don't be surprised--don't look around and comment on the lack of support. Because, believe it or not, the lack of support derives from opinions and attitudes like yours.
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Post by aco227 on Jul 7, 2013 9:16:31 GMT -8
Petition has reached almost 130 signatures in under 100 hours. Please read and sign if you support the Padres.
This issue will continue to go unnoticed unless San Diegans make their voices heard. In this situation, ALL THREE parties are leaving money on the table. If the Padres could facilitate an agreement between FSSD and TWC (one in which TWC does not lose money to provide telecasts), then all three groups will be generating MORE revenue. Seems logical, right?
And, not to mention, an additional 400,000 San Diegans will be able to watch Padres telecasts.
If you care about this team, sign it and pass it along. I am setting up meetings with both the current and previous Padres General Counsel to address these matters.
If allowed, I will personally mediate negotiations between the three parties. I will sign a contract to not publicly disclose any of the negotiations/agreements--this deal just needs to be done for the people of San Diego.
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Post by aco227 on Jul 7, 2013 12:59:56 GMT -8
Almost at 140 signatures, and I just received a phone call from a local news affiliate interested in covering the story. I'm planning on petitioning outside Petco for this weekend's 4-game Giants series.
Keep the Faith,
Alex
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Post by aco227 on Jul 7, 2013 14:07:32 GMT -8
Almost at 140 signatures, and I just received a phone call from a local news affiliate interested in covering the story. I'm planning on petitioning outside Petco for this weekend's 4-game Giants series. Keep the Faith, Alex You might see my brother at the game, though it'll be hard to pick him out from among the other 20,000 coming down from SF and wearing Giants gear. I admire your energy and passion. However, I agree with La Mesa Aztec. The people's desire to see this team is reflected in their failure to a) leave TWC and b) tell them that they're doing so ONLY because of the Padres issue. You might be blaming the wrong people here. For example, aside from fielding a major-league team, is there something the Padres can do? Anyway consider yourself lucky to not be able to watch this 4A outfit. Maybe if the team were better, people would care more. They aren't any good, so people couldn't care less. Good luck. I sincerely hope you can pull this off. Thanks for the response, John. It was much more well-intentioned than La Mesa Aztec's. In response to a) I would counter-argue that many people don't want to change television providers in the first place. In addition to being a huge hassle, I think that many TWC subscribers are very hesitant to switch to other providers. For example, many of these same people will avoid any type of satellite dish, at all costs. In response to b) Some subscribers already have switched SOLELY for Padres coverage. However, what makes me wonder is TWC's public claims about the situation. TWC representatives have implied that they would be forced to act if enough subscribers left for other providers. This is a non sequitur. Essentially what they're arguing is that, IF "enough" people leave for Cox/Dish/ATT, they will be forced to come to an agreement with FSSD. Yet, if this arbitrary number of TWC subscribers are to leave in the first place, they assuredly won't be returning if TWC and FSSD agree to terms ex post facto. Furthermore, let me be clear that I'm not "blaming" anyone here. As a matter of fact, my main point is that this is a collective action problem in which all three of these parties have something to gain (i.e. money). And, in the petition, the argument I make is this very point you just brought up--is there not more the Padres can do? In my knowledge of the situation, the Padres retain a 20% share in FSSD. Therefore, would it not be in their best interest to facilitate an agreement between the two? If the Padres could, somehow, urge the two parties to come to an agree--one that allows TWC to provide that telecasts and NOT operate at a loss, then all three parties stand to generate greater income than before. |
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Post by aco227 on Jul 7, 2013 14:10:17 GMT -8
But the next time you show up to a Padres-Dodgers game, and you're surprised that there's 40K screaming, obnoxious Dodgers fans sitting all over "YOUR" ballpark. Don't complain--don't be surprised--don't look around and comment on the lack of support. Because, believe it or not, the lack of support derives from opinions and attitudes like yours. How will TWC's status affect how many opposing fans are in Petco Park? How does Petco Park belong to me, La Mesa Aztec, or any other regular citizen of this city or county? This paragraph was simply in response to LaMesaAztec's nonchalant attitude about the team in general. What I'm saying is, there seems to be a complacency among many Padres fans, people like LaMesaAztec. Then, when teams like the Dodgers, Phillies, Giants, Red Sox and Yankees come to town, and fill up our ballpark, Padres fans seem surprised. There's nothing to be surprised about if we continue to corner out 20% of market fanbase. And the park belongs to us all, my friend. How do you think our beautiful ballpark was funded? It came straight from the paychecks of hard-working San Diegans. You should also check out the petition, John. I raise all these issues within my argument. I'm not saying that TWC's status will affect opposition fan attendace--you're grasping at straws there. What I am saying, however, is that all three of these businesses are missing an opportunity to cater to 1/5 of their fanbase. My point is: Why should these fans support the team, buy season tickets, pay for parking downtown and spend money on food when the team shows little interest in providing them with the most basic of modern-day services? It's a missed opportunity if you ask me. That's why you'll see me outside Petco this weekend. |
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Post by aco227 on Jul 7, 2013 14:56:24 GMT -8
What I'm saying is, there seems to be a complacency among many Padres fans, people like LaMesaAztec. Irrespective of TWC, the Padres (more specifically, John Moores, John Moorad, and whatever fifteen people "own" this team today) have been practically begging for this "complacency" since at least 2004, and they sure as hell got it. It's Jeff Moorad, but I can't say I disagree with you John. The unfortunate thing is, the next time the Padres make the playoffs, all of these complacent people will be clamoring for Playoff tickets, as if the brief success of the team immediately restores their fanhood. So, while I understand the anger and resentment of people like you/LMAztecs towards Padres ownership, this should simply be viewed as an opportunity to call them out on a lost business opportunity. And, although the current feelings of some people on this board seem to manifest in questioning my goals--I think we should all take a step back and remember that I'm on YOUR side. The reason I started this is because I love the Padres, as much as everyone else here. So, irrespective of whatever management does now, back then, or in the future, I think it's imperative that we step up as a community and support our Friars. |
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Post by La Mesa Aztec on Jul 7, 2013 19:38:58 GMT -8
This paragraph was simply in response to LaMesaAztec's nonchalant attitude about the team in general. What I'm saying is, there seems to be a complacency among many Padres fans, people like LaMesaAztec. I just don't agree that a petition accomplishes anything. But I did read it and found it very thoughtful and well written. And I do admire your passion. This still seems like an issue where TWC won't pay the market price for the rights, and their subscribers aren't demanding they do so. This notion that if enough subscribes bolt that TWC still won't carry the games because those customers won't return ignores the likelihood that those that actually leave TWC represent a fraction of those thinking about it. TWC would need to worry about the latter. But as the team continues to suck TWC will be OK. This is a fair weather fan city in the end. The complacency among Padre fans that you mention has been acquired by the franchise the old fashioned way. They've earned it. |
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Post by aco227 on Jul 7, 2013 20:38:18 GMT -8
This paragraph was simply in response to LaMesaAztec's nonchalant attitude about the team in general. What I'm saying is, there seems to be a complacency among many Padres fans, people like LaMesaAztec. I just don't agree that a petition accomplishes anything. But I did read it and found it very thoughtful and well written. And I do admire your passion. This still seems like an issue where TWC won't pay the market price for the rights, and their subscribers aren't demanding they do so. This notion that if enough subscribes bolt that TWC still won't carry the games because those customers won't return ignores the likelihood that those that actually leave TWC represent a fraction of those thinking about it. TWC would need to worry about the latter. But as the team continues to suck TWC will be OK. This is a fair weather fan city in the end. The complacency among Padre fans that you mention has been acquired by the franchise the old fashioned way. They've earned it. The thing is, if enough people sign a petition, then I believe the franchise would have to at least address it. In and of itself, I agree that a petition doesn't accomplish anything. But there's power in numbers, my man. If possible, I'd be delighted if this petition led to a situation in which I could help facilitate negotiations between the three parties. I'll reiterate: I believe that there IS a way in which all three parties can benefit from a potential agreement. It will simply necessitate that one or more parties assume a little bit of the burden, as is the case in any collective action dilemma. If it takes the owner, or our delightful mayor stepping in (as was the case in the Yankees YES dilemma of 2003), then so be it. But simply accepting that nothing can be done is not good enough for me. |
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Post by AztecBill on Jul 8, 2013 13:08:15 GMT -8
I have been thinking about this and there are a number of ways to pressure Time Warner.
1. Enough people leave.
2. Sign the petition and appeal to the goodwill of the 3 parties.
3. Destroy equipment in protest.
4. Request(s) to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (SDCSB) by a community on the border between Cox and Time Warner to change their cable provider due to Time Warner not providing local programing of interest which is their duty under the agreement that provides them with a monopoly. TW not providing TheMTN is another example of this disregard for programming of local interest.
1. Is being tried and not working so far.
2. This may only work once the Padres show goodwill of their own by winning back the fans.
3. Is illegal and therefore not a good idea.
4. It is something that would hit TW hard. Question is would the SDCBS play along.
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