Grand Final Guarantee Payment in a Compromised Season

[hardtack 10,525]

I posted the following in the Coronavirus: AFL & MFC topic, but it may have got lost amid all of the other discussion, so I'll post here; there may be others who have forked out for this as well, who might be interested.  I have also posted the content of an email I have sent to the Membership section of the club, just to canvas their thoughts. This becomes particularly salient if the GF is played to an empty house.

Here's what I posted in the other topic:

Nothing to do with players or facilities, but I have a question relating to the GF Guarantee payments that some of us made along with our membership renewals. 

If there are finals and if they are played to empty stadiums, what will become of these payments (which are quite substantial)?  I have no objection at all to my membership fees being retained by the club, but I am wondering whether there are plans for these additional charges to be carried forward to next year?  I'm not even sure I would like to be guaranteed a seat at a GF this year, to be honest, as I would seriously doubt the chances of such an event being a sell out. I would like to see the club offer the option of applying it to next year's campaign, rather than using it this year, given the circumstances.

Has anyone heard anything on what might happen to the GF Guarantee payment?

And this is the content of the email to the club:

Hello,

My son and I took the GF Guarantee with our memberships this year and so I am now wondering, with the current state of the season, what will happen to this payment.  Obviously I would never entertain the thought of calling for a refund of our Memberships, as I understand that the club needs members in order to survive, and now more than ever.  However, the GF Guarantee is a different kettle of fish, in my opinion.

As this season has been compromised to the point that if there is a Grand Final, it is very possible that it could be played to an empty stadium, or, if such restrictions are lifted, there is a great likelihood that it may not even be a sell out as it will not carry the significance of a “normal” season; it will be more like the final they had for the pre-season competition in years gone by.  My son and I have both discussed this and we really would not be so enthused about attending this year’s GF, if the Demons were to make it that far.

So, my question is this: Will there be the option to move our GF Guarantee for this year to apply to next season (with the option to use it this year if members so desires)?  In other words, will you be offering the option that members could have it applied to the next full season?

regards, "

Edited April 27, 2020 by hardtack

[Diamond_Jim 12,555]

I think Hardtack the club has assumed it is a donation. Did you expect any different from an industry where the common fan has been taken for granted for years?

The reality is that the MFC will go broke if it has to refund the fees but there is a balance that I believe the clubs are in danger of missing. Where that balance is I am not sure but at the least it should encompass more fan engagement by the players who after all are the main beneficiaries of our largesse. Pay cuts will be the norm for many players as TV advertising revenue falls etc etc.

Should you ask for a refund of the GF guarantee or the equivalent of an airline voucher as you suggest.Go for it. Should you be entitled to receive it? Probably yes but should that be extended to reserve seat fees, Redleg membership and the list goes on.

Caroline Wilson's article about a tax deduction on the basis of a charitable donation missed the point as tax revenues will be stretched for years to come.

The fall out from this disastrous virus in an economic sense is just really starting to raise its ugly head. Other than the ubiquitous Amazon and the mega tech companies it is hard to think of one industry that will emerge unscathed. I have always tried to drill into my children that you need to have six months worth of living expenses available in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Of course they laugh at me. Perhaps I should have been advocating for twelve !!

Good luck Hardtack in these very difficult times.

Edited April 27, 2020 by Diamond_Jim

[hardtack 10,525]

5 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

I think Hardtack the club has assumed it is a donation. Did you expect any different from an industry where the common fan has been taken for granted for years?

The reality is that the MFC will go broke if it has to refund the fees but there is a balance that I believe the clubs are in danger of missing. Where that balance is I am not sure but at the least it should encompass more fan engagement by the players who after all are the main beneficiaries of our largesse. Pay cuts will be the norm for many players as TV advertising revenue falls etc etc.

Should you ask for a refund of the GF guarantee.Go for it. Should you be entitled to receive it? Probably yes but should that be extended to reserve seat fees, Redleg membership and the list goes on.

Caroline Wilson's article about a tax deduction on the basis of a charitable donation missed the point as tax revenues will be stretched for years to come.

The fall out from this disastrous virus in an economic sense is just really starting to raise its ugly head. Other than the ubiquitous Amazon and the mega tech companies it is hard to think of one industry that will emerge unscathed. I have always tried to drill into my children that you need to have six months worth of living expenses available in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Of course they laugh at me. Perhaps I should have been advocating for twelve !!

Good luck Hardtack in these very difficult times.

You make a lot of good points.  However, I am definitely NOT after a refund.  I'm suggesting that the club offer the option of either using it this year (assuming there is a GF in front of crowds), or to have it applied to next year's season.  And if there is no GF in front of a crowd, then ALL GF Guarantee payments should be applied to next season.

Edited April 27, 2020 by hardtack

[Diamond_Jim 12,555]

3 minutes ago, hardtack said:

You make a lot of good points.  However, I am definitely NOT after a refund.  I'm suggesting that the club offer the option of either using it this year (assuming there is a GF in front of crowds), or to have it applied to next year's season.  And if there is no GF in front of a crowd, then ALL GF Guarantee payments should be applied to next season.

no argument from me but of course it just puts a hole in next years revenue.  Perhaps 20% off for five years would be doable.

Unless the GF is played in November, I see little chance of crowds being allowed and even then that would be a big stretch based on what we are being told about social distancing lasting well into 2021.

Can you think of something the club could do for you that would not involve significant financial burden.

How about a lottery where the prizes included a shared super box with  a former player or two, or admission to the rooms or to a player training luncheon. I'm sure there are others but as I said the club needs to engage its members

[daisycutter 29,606]

5 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

no argument from me but of course it just puts a hole in next years revenue.  Perhaps 20% off for five years would be doable.

Unless the GF is played in November, I see little chance of crowds being allowed and even then that would be a big stretch based on what we are being told about social distancing lasting well into 2021.

Can you think of something the club could do for you that would not involve significant financial burden.

How about a lottery where the prizes included a shared super box with  a former player or two, or admission to the rooms or to a player training luncheon. I'm sure there are others but as I said the club needs to engage its members

not really as that assumes ht will buy another 2 gf guarantees next year if he doesn't get a credit for this year, which i doubt he would under such circumstances

[hardtack 10,525]

2 hours ago, daisycutter said:

not really as that assumes ht will buy another 2 gf guarantees next year if he doesn't get a credit for this year, which i doubt he would under such circumstances

Correct... I would be very loathe to do it again as it's a big expense for someone with no income.  The only reason I have done it for the past couple of years, was because I would never forgive myself if we made it to the GF and I then had to break it to my son that we couldn't go.

[hardtack 10,525]

2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

no argument from me but of course it just puts a hole in next years revenue.  Perhaps 20% off for five years would be doable.

Unless the GF is played in November, I see little chance of crowds being allowed and even then that would be a big stretch based on what we are being told about social distancing lasting well into 2021.

Can you think of something the club could do for you that would not involve significant financial burden.

How about a lottery where the prizes included a shared super box with  a former player or two, or admission to the rooms or to a player training luncheon. I'm sure there are others but as I said the club needs to engage its members

I'll wait to see what the club comes back with in response to my email and take it from there.

[Cards13 9,117]

Valid question Ht. 

[dpositive 1,663]

On 4/27/2020 at 5:08 PM, hardtack said:

Correct... I would be very loathe to do it again as it's a big expense for someone with no income.  The only reason I have done it for the past couple of years, was because I would never forgive myself if we made it to the GF and I then had to break it to my son that we couldn't go.

I reckon you might have provided the answer yourself.

If MFC play in a grand final this year, however tinged with asterisks and comment, I reckon you would not forgive yourself if you didn't go.

And then you would probably front up for the next real grand final next year.

If you don't want use your ticket I'd be happy to accept it. These are strange and unusual times but every club will still want to win. In fact this asterisked year could prove to be more of a memorable and significant year than most. I would ignore any caveats of opposition supporters etc and merely respond that a win is a win. I'd also use it as a spur to our players to write themselves into the history books .

This is the beginning of a decade of dominance. Seize it and go.

GO DEES.

[hardtack 10,525]

On 4/27/2020 at 1:54 PM, hardtack said:

My son and I have both discussed this and we really would not be so enthused about attending this year’s GF, if the Demons were to make it that far.

As I stated in my email to the club, we wouldn’t be so interested. In our view, it would hold a similar significance to winning a pre season comp cup. But regardless of that, I would be extremely surprised if they were to hold a GF that was open to the public... in which case, will the payment be applied to next year’s comp, or will it be considered a donation to the club (in which case I won’t be doing it again)?