Big Al 708 Posted November 16, 2018 Reasons, implications, ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iainb 4,863 Posted November 16, 2018 Rider control? If all assets have been transferred to the company. Meaningful shareholder meetings to push rules through, share sales if an interested party comes along wanting to buy the sport, collective bargaining power for purchasing shale or riders time, spread of profit/loss. I think this could be the most positive step in years for the sport Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PHILIPRISING 7,298 Posted November 16, 2018 AMAZING that this wasn't done before. Provides protection (limited liability) for promoters who could otherwise have been in danger of having to contribute financial support to the Association in the case of debts, etc. No doubt the Gerhard fiasco sharpened some minds! Many other potential benefits, too, but ultimately will not bring additional people through the gates. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winstoncigar 23 Posted November 16, 2018 Impending lawsuits? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted November 16, 2018 1 hour ago, PHILIPRISING said: AMAZING that this wasn't done before. Provides protection (limited liability) for promoters who could otherwise have been in danger of having to contribute financial support to the Association in the case of debts, etc. No doubt the Gerhard fiasco sharpened some minds! Many other potential benefits, too, but ultimately will not bring additional people through the gates. You've hit the nail on the head Phil. Crowds might improve slightly at tracks that have moved up, but they will fall at those that have dropped down. The sport desperately needs new blood coming through the turnstiles, but non of the decisions made will help rectify this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iainb 4,863 Posted November 16, 2018 (edited) 14 minutes ago, cityrebel said: You've hit the nail on the head Phil. Crowds might improve slightly at tracks that have moved up, but they will fall at those that have dropped down. The sport desperately needs new blood coming through the turnstiles, but non of the decisions made will help rectify this. Absolutely not in the short term... But it opens up the possibility to do so in the longer term, the way things were, as has been proved over the decline of the last 50 years or so, big ideas were almost impossible to implement Edited November 16, 2018 by iainb 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Humphrey Appleby 13,903 Posted November 16, 2018 4 hours ago, PHILIPRISING said: AMAZING that this wasn't done before. Provides protection (limited liability) for promoters who could otherwise have been in danger of having to contribute financial support to the Association in the case of debts, etc. No doubt the Gerhard fiasco sharpened some minds! Would have thought there was always the risk of a rider taking the BSPA to court over the asset system, winning the case, and then getting damages that the promoters (or at least those on the Management Committee) would be collectively liable for. Maybe it wasn't done before because of the need to publish accounts which would open the promoters to financial scrutiny. The law has been changed in recent years though, to increase the amount of turnover before you have to publish full accounts, and I doubt 6.5 million per year is going through their books. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Humphrey Appleby 13,903 Posted November 16, 2018 2 hours ago, iainb said: Absolutely not in the short term... But it opens up the possibility to do so in the longer term, the way things were, as has been proved over the decline of the last 50 years or so, big ideas were almost impossible to implement Rider allocation, centrally-contracted riders, wage control, standardised equipment and procurement thereof are all possibilities. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted November 16, 2018 5 hours ago, Humphrey Appleby said: Rider allocation, centrally-contracted riders, wage control, standardised equipment and procurement thereof are all possibilities. Possibilities that should be embraced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MattK 3,447 Posted November 16, 2018 I think people are reading into it too much. My theory is that with so many clubs up for sale the BSPA want to give themselves the protection of working within the structure of a limited liability company. I can't see any benefits in what people have described above such as collective bargaining or pooling of profit/loss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skidder1 7,618 Posted November 17, 2018 20 hours ago, Humphrey Appleby said: Rider allocation, centrally-contracted riders, wage control, standardised equipment and procurement thereof are all possibilities. None of which will attract new fans - unless clubs reduce prices and effectively promote their product to their required audiences within their respective catchment areas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Humphrey Appleby 13,903 Posted November 17, 2018 4 hours ago, Skidder1 said: None of which will attract new fans - unless clubs reduce prices and effectively promote their product to their required audiences within their respective catchment areas. That wasn't really my point. Things like the points limit, lack of control over wages, and an engine tuning arms race have forced up costs beyond what is sustainable. Of course you have to get fans through the door as well, but can't reduce prices until you reduce costs. And even if you do get more fans through the door, teams will just spend any extra money on trying to lure riders unless there are controls on this, which doesn't get you any further forward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Al 708 Posted November 18, 2018 So sounds like it's a defensive move first and foremost, but could bring benefits in terms of potential costs saving. After Scott Nicholls won his case, it may have acted as a wake-up call? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel Smith 5,645 Posted November 18, 2018 21 hours ago, Humphrey Appleby said: That wasn't really my point. Things like the points limit, lack of control over wages, and an engine tuning arms race have forced up costs beyond what is sustainable. Of course you have to get fans through the door as well, but can't reduce prices until you reduce costs. And even if you do get more fans through the door, teams will just spend any extra money on trying to lure riders unless there are controls on this, which doesn't get you any further forward. Which costs need reducing to achieve lower admission costs? For me it's just rider's wages the clubs can really look at. The cost to the rider's is irrelevant for lowering admission costs. Lower a rider's wage they have a choice to make, keep up the expense out of their own pocket or find a new supply chain / engine tuner at lower costs. No way should British Speedway clubs and rider's be lining the pockets of engine tuners. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PHILIPRISING 7,298 Posted November 18, 2018 LOWERING costs for promoters and riders is a chicken and egg situation. Both should be tackled in harmony. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites