Golden State Warriors Final Take: Rowell To All, "Let Them Eat Cake!"

According to BritWarrior, Rowell started off by making it "very clear that he does not read newspapers or blogs as more often than not, people create complete fiction just to try and grab some headlines. I don’t think anyone in the room had any doubt who he was aiming this at, possibly a certain person writing for the Mercury News."

In spite of denying that he reads blogs or newspapers, just days after the contents of the meeting were published, a team representative contacted BritWarrior to clarify a relatively minor detail about the Jason Richardson trade.  Contradictory much? I think so.

In addition, Rowell "felt some comments that were made to the press this year should have stayed within house; for example the Randolph discussions and the Crawford statement."

Again Rowell whips out his golden double standard.  Even before the season started, Rowell was ripping into Chris Mullin during what was supposed to be the announcement of Ellis' punishment.  Later in the season, rumors would surface about public relations representatives lobbying individual reporters to write negative articles about Mullin. 

In addressing questions about season tickets and pricing, Rowell stated, ”First thing I will say is, if you were in Club 200 this year YOU WERE SCREWED! This year you were completely screwed!”

That is very honest of Rowell, but who is doing the screwing?

I can't help but to share BritWarrior's entire follow-up question for Rowell because it is so complete and on-point in spotlighting the administrative problems within the front office.

BritWarriorGSW:

"I then jumped in with follow up question as to how and why Club 200 season ticket holders were treated so poorly. I think I said something along the lines of 'As you have said, this is about running a business; you’re doing it, I’m doing it, so I understand that no one could have foreseen the crash in the economy or certain injuries.  However, it’s the reaction thereafter that I cannot understand.'”

I continued, “To me it is not rocket science to know that your very bread and butter income comes from season ticket holders and as one of those Club 200 STH’s, we have received ZERO in the way of proper customer care, which means that if you have unhappy STH’s, they won’t renew and if so, you end up having to spend more money on marketing/advertising to replace those STH’s with new ones, when you could probably spend a great deal less to make those STH’s feel valued and especially when they see seats being sold for $8! Is it really that hard for someone to come up with the idea of maybe offering STH’s the chance to come to practices to meet the players, hold more events at the arena to meet the staff, have STH opportunities to meet the players after a game rather than just kids? Maybe offering free parking vouchers, free beer/food vouchers, huge discounts in the store...."

I said the list is truly endless at what could have been done and nothing was done, which in my personal opinion and experience in the field of sales and marketing was dire and beyond a joke. Add to that the fact that people have to wait sometimes a whole quarter to get a burger and "my what pricey burgers they are" too!

Could it possibly be useful to have soft drinks, popcorn, pretzels and peanuts, cold items on carts, thus saving the stands for beer and hot food? This would surely help reduce the lines?, In short, I feel there was a definite DROP in customer care this year as compared to last year, which, considering the price hikes, is why you have many people not wanting to renew tickets.'"

Robert Rowell:

“I have no answer for you, all your points are valid and very much taken on board.  What I can tell you is that I have to kick the backsides of those guys at the back of the room and there will be changes for next year. You have my apologies we simply did not do a good enough job this year for Club 200 season ticket holders but that will change."

First of all, it would be hilarious to watch a grown man in a business suit kick himself in the rear.  Who does Rowell think he is to apologize and then differ responsibility as if he didn't know what was happening all season?  He is the team president for the sake of sliced bread!  If he really didn't know what was going on then he should be fired solely on that basis alone. 

Secondly, the first renewals have come and gone without any statement from the team explaining exactly what will change.

As BritWarrior left the meeting Rowell approached him to say that he would be in contact.  Based on my correspondence with BritWarrior no such follow-up has taken place.  How surprising.

In addition, during BritWarrior's correspondence with a team representative, the representative informed him that he may have compromised the opportunity to speak with Rowell by going public with a private conversation.

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Back up here.  The Warriors invited members of the public to a meeting where no confidentiality contract was signed.  Any recollections or recordings from that meeting are fair game in the public discourse.  Furthermore, it is unrealistic for the front office to think that it can control which season ticket holders have access to information that the team president volunteers to members of the public.  In fact it is absolutely absurd.

So how does all of this reflect on the state of the Warriors?  Not so golden now.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  It wasn't necessarily the decisions that bothered me, but the manner in which they were made, and the way in which they were communicated to the public.

How bad is it?  

As bad as a team president that can't speak without face-planting on the double standards he applies. 

As bad as a team president that apologizes emphatically and then passes the buck in the same statement. 

As bad as a team president culturing an irreconcilable relationship with the fans and the media.

As bad as a son-in-law that always says he'll call, but never does.  Yet you know he your stole your daughter's innocence... Poor Warriors.


Who's the real loser here?

The Media?
The Players?
The Fans?
The Children?

All of the above.


Mr. Rowell, the ball is in your court, and ball don't lie.



A special thanks to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, BritWarriorGSW of Golden State of Mind, the anonymous beat writer, and the best fans in the NBA.

For the pointed yet insightful opinions of blogger, Chris Cohan, click here (contains profanity, but also hilarity).  He also has an epic sidebar of news clippings and sources all things Warriors.

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