How many teams do you know of that makes a profit by finishing last or near enough last for it not to matter? If we were to make the finals, or heck even win the A-League, there is a financial boost that accompanies it. Results are everything.
Oh no I agree with what you're saying, but I think you'd agree that it would be better for the club if we were making the finals more often than not. It'd be a step in the right direction that's for sure.
Terry went broke due to other reasons?
The Houston Astros have gone on one of the worst runs in MLB history in the last 4 seasons and have posted 3 consecutive 100 loss seasons which puts them very high up on the list of worst ever baseball teams. Despite all of this they were the most profitable team in 2013. Much of this has to do with the different business model I alluded to earlier. If the Astros were an English football team they would now be in League Two and making nothing. A business model like the Astros does have relevance when you support a small market team in a relegation free league. Despite those 3 100 loss seasons, the Astros are on target to do better this year and are expected to be competitive from next season. Once again, they are benefited by a business model which has a draft but then again they also have no salary cap.
Yes winning brings a financial boost but getting there also creates a financial cost. Results are important but they aren't enough by themselves. We have a poor business model; so does almost everyone else in the league. I doubt anyone makes a profit. Long term I'm hoping that the natural growth of football in this country, the increase in quality of the A-League, the establishment of a NZ derby and the Phoenix becoming more of an institution will lead to higher attendances.
Linking it back to the thread topic, if we bought a really good marquee for 1 million dollars then at ticket prices of $30 we would need to sell another 33,000 tickets per season or about 2,500 per game. Obviously, there are shirt sales too but not all of that $30 would go to the Phoenix either. The Phoenix owners seem to think that a marquee wouldn't have that impact.