2036-02: Talons Turn Profit for First Time, like, Evar!

[jiminyhopkins]

Phoenix, AZ--

Among the other successes this past season, such as making the playoffs, none may be more important to the continued viability of the franchise than this one simple fact:

The Talons actually made money.

The latest final numbers were compiled last week and showed that the club made a profit of just over $13 million in 2035, representing the first positive cashflow for the franchise in seven seasons. Among the many factors that contributed to this success was the "trade" that sent SP Ignacio Rodriguez and RF Domenic Wyatt to San Antonio. In this transaction, the Outlaws agreed to take on all remaining salaries of those two veterans, and the Talons also kicked in a pitching prospect for their trouble. And though Phoenix did not gain anything tangible in return, the impact on the budget was immediate and profound.

In addition to that deal, other things also factored into the renewed financial health of the franchise. Restrained spending on draft picks, for example. Resisting the temptation to wildly throw money at unproven international players. And, for the first time ever, a shot of revenue for making the playoffs, to the tune of $3.4 million for just the wild card round.

As outlined in the JL Arbitration podcast, a couple of significant arb cases are coming down the pike, as well as substantial raises for other players such as Al Gordon and Bartolo Ortiz, whose arb years were bought out. But overall, the weight of operating under debt has been lifted, and the future looks bright.

Go Talons!

[RonCo]

Congrats!