Mr. K deserves all the credit he gets for making KC a major league city, and his name should always be on the Royals home stadium. But his plan for the team after his passing was ill-considered, and, in retrospect, had little chance of success for the simple reason that KC lacks a large base of folks with 3-comma bankrolls. It was foolha…
Mr. K deserves all the credit he gets for making KC a major league city, and his name should always be on the Royals home stadium. But his plan for the team after his passing was ill-considered, and, in retrospect, had little chance of success for the simple reason that KC lacks a large base of folks with 3-comma bankrolls. It was foolhardy to believe that a buyer who did not exist in EMK's lifetime would appear on the scene soon enough to avoid the perils of a leadership vacuum. Several families could have bought the team from EMK directly; they chose to invest elsewhere, as is the habit for most who make their fortunes in KC, and spend them in Aspen or Naples or San Diego.
If anyone bears responsibility for Glass's sweetheart deal terms, that would be the trustees who didn't demand a profits interest in the team remain with the foundation. Glass dishonored his friend Mr. K by not doing that on his own.
I always forget about that clown. Mr. K's negotiating style combined with his bitterness toward the KC establishment and frankness about the team's financial viability certainly did not bring many folks to the table who could have been useful in shaping the fate of the team.
Mr. K deserves all the credit he gets for making KC a major league city, and his name should always be on the Royals home stadium. But his plan for the team after his passing was ill-considered, and, in retrospect, had little chance of success for the simple reason that KC lacks a large base of folks with 3-comma bankrolls. It was foolhardy to believe that a buyer who did not exist in EMK's lifetime would appear on the scene soon enough to avoid the perils of a leadership vacuum. Several families could have bought the team from EMK directly; they chose to invest elsewhere, as is the habit for most who make their fortunes in KC, and spend them in Aspen or Naples or San Diego.
If anyone bears responsibility for Glass's sweetheart deal terms, that would be the trustees who didn't demand a profits interest in the team remain with the foundation. Glass dishonored his friend Mr. K by not doing that on his own.
Kauffman also whiffed on Avron Fogelman. His judgement in foraging partnerships wasn’t the best.
I always forget about that clown. Mr. K's negotiating style combined with his bitterness toward the KC establishment and frankness about the team's financial viability certainly did not bring many folks to the table who could have been useful in shaping the fate of the team.