Broncos Country needs to stop worrying about the team’s new owner
May 6, 2022, 6:15 AM
There is no dumber storyline at the moment than the Broncos ownership situation. Seemingly every day, there’s a new twist in the ongoing soap opera to fill Pat Bowlen’s shoes as the billionaire in charge of the orange and blue.
On Thursday, there were multiple wrinkles added to the saga. First, it was reported that Magic Johnson had joined one of the groups seeking to submit the bid. Then, Woody Paige reported that the process was down to two finalists.
That “revelation” caused everyone to scramble. The Broncos refuted the story. Media members tweeted the team’s rebuttal. And Woody ultimately changed “finalists” to “frontrunners.”
Much ado about nothing.
Nothing changed. And nothing will.
Obviously, the process will ultimately come to an end. Someone will emerge as the winner of the sweepstakes. But who really cares?
If it’s Robson Walton, there are reports that he’d build a new stadium. That’d be cool, as Empower Field is the NFL version of the “new” Comiskey Park; it was built just before football stadiums became state-of-the-art destinations.
If it’s Josh Harris, Denver would have two owners named Josh. Harris and Kroenke, which sounds like a law firm specializing in litigation against cable providers.
If it’s Todd Boehly, it’ll be “From Bowlen to Boehly,” which sounds like the sequel to “From Milan to Minsk.”
Bad jokes. But fitting for what has become a bad drama.
Broncos Country has no say in who is going to become the new owner of the region’s most-beloved team. The fans don’t get a vote in deciding who will become the steward of the state’s unofficial religion.
Instead, the trust will make the call. Their only objective is ensuring that every Bowlen heir gets the biggest check possible.
The NFL also gets a say, as current owners have to approve the newest member of their club. They only care if the person or persons can bring something to the table that helps their investment multiply.
None of them gives a rip if the new owner has ties to the city. They don’t worry one bit if there is a commitment to winning. They don’t lose a wink of sleep stewing about how they’ll carry on the storied tradition of the franchise.
Those are the things that matter to fans. That’s what impacts their Sundays in the fall.
Does the new owner have deep pockets? Of course. Getting into a bidding war for a $4 billion asset makes that a prerequisite.
But will they invest in the team? Will they be forward thinking? Will they create ancillary revenue streams that help the team compete?
That’s where knowing “the plan” of each candidate would matter. Unfortunately, it doesn’t.
Much like a home seller doesn’t care what a home buyer has in mind for the basement, the parities involved with the sale of the Broncos don’t care what happens after the ink dries and the check clears. They’d like it to go well, but that’s not a priority.
So everyone in Broncos Country is simply along for the ride. The fans are going wherever things end up, with no input on the directions.
The team could get a visionary owner like Jerry Jones, someone who pictures new ways to grow the sport. They might get a real estate mogul like Stan Kroenke, a person who used a new stadium as the centerpiece of a land development.
They could also get Dan Snyder, a guy with deep pockets and shallow morals. Or they could end up with an owner like Arthur Blank, a super-rich guy looking for a hobby after cashing out of his original gig.
Someone like the late Paul Allen would be great. He had deep pockets, provided resources and got out of the way.
Robert Kraft would be better. He grew up a Patriots fan and genuinely cares if the team actually wins.
But why even think about? Why worry?
It’s going to turn out the way it’s going to turn out. No one is seeking the fans opinion.
And even if they did, what do we know. Which of the candidates is Kroenke 2.0? The next Kraft? Another Snyder?
That’s anyone’s guess. Debating the answer is silly.
So it’s time to stop worrying about the process. Wake me up when it’s over.
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