I do not have a million dollars so acting responsibly during this economic downturn is not my area of expertise. In lieu, I called Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Tom Anselmi, the man behind a profit of $2.1 million in Toronto FC's inaugural season.
Anselmi was quite cordial in dealing with my economic shortcomings and within the first few minutes confirmed what I believe to be an absolute truth: Sports has the ability to transcend.
"Sports is resilient, somewhat, to economic downturn but it is certainly not recession proof," Anselmi explained. "As an organization we are preparing for the downturn -- or at least preparing to live with it -- and make sure that when you come out on the other end you are stronger than ever."
The affect of the economic crisis has been much lighter in Canada than the carnage we have witnessed with our neighbours to the south. But (and at the risk of being sued by Starbucks) the way I see it a soccer team which emblazons a tri-letter acronym of a bank sponsorship across its shirts and stadium archways should not concern itself with coming out stronger.
Like I said, fiscal responsibility is not my forte, and it seems those who have mastered it have also been accused of being frugal along the way. But frugality has its limits. Right now owning the upper hand should be seen as a tactical advantage to a club batting 1.000 in falling short of on-field expectations. Or, in layman terms, TFC needs to pounce. It's survival of the fittest, make Darwin proud.
Rumour has it some of the MLS powerhouse teams will spend on the side of caution as ownerships try to remain viable in a tight credit market. The trend is not confined to the MLS, either. Liverpool FC showed its vulnerability at the highest level by announcing a half-billion dollar debt this week, a nasty little secret that may force ownership to sell on-field assets just to survive. The Anfield admission is likely where the dominoes will begin to fall.
While the have-nots sell, TFC should be there to welcome the banished.
"I wouldn't say the search is on, that would be a little bit strong," Anselmi said of the recent proposal to consider a designated player for 2009. "But we have the resources and Mo has the ability to go and make a recommendation on a DP if he finds the right guy."
Finding the right guy will be Mo Johnston's albatross in 2009. Entering the third and final year of his contract with the team, Johnston will be the latest of the lame duck GMs to make a living in Canada's most demanding market.
"Mo and I haven't even started talking about that (a contract extension) and I am sure we will before the end of the year. He has a full year left, a full mandate, 100 per cent support of the board and he has a job to do, which is to take the next step with the team and get better again. But we are real pleased with the job done by Mo."
Johnston has done an admirable job with the resources available, and his superiors have every right to be pleased. But now it is time for Johnston to sharpen the killer instinct that made him a sought-after striker during his playing days.
Trump the 'easier said than done' cliché which has been tacked on to many conversations about a DP and see if Johnston is worthy of another term. Besides, frugality is so pre-economic downturn.
