[Cecil Terwilliger]

I think there’s a fundamental difference between European sports and North American sports franchises. Many of the European football associations that you’re referring to were originally small community owned teams that over the last hundred years evolved into these massive behemoths with billionaire owners. But these fan groups or fan unions have retained influence over their billionaire owners because they have the support of not just the hard-cores but the casual fans as well.

The European groups see their club as an integral part of their community and see affordable tickets as a right, not a privilege. That just doesn’t exist here where sports is just entertainment and a privilege.

What you’re suggesting is a fundamental change to the relationship between fans, teams, and ownership. And I just don’t think that’s gonna happen. Whether or not it’s a good idea is another conversation entirely.


Like it or not the reality in North American sports is, that fans can only speak with their wallets. No amount of protesting will change ticket prices. And quite frankly, even if we stopped going, it’s more likely to result in a team relocating to a market where fans will pay the ticket prices then the owners reevaluating their relationship with fans. They won’t stop gouging they’ll just go gouge someone else.