13 Oct 2016 12:41:01
Hi Ed,
Just been reading an article by Ian Ayre about the cost of further developing the stadium, estimating a cost of £60m to £70m and it taking 15years to break even on the outlay and therefore does not make sence. Does appear as if were not going to expand further given the owners comments the other week. What I would like to ask is what is the current situation with sponsors for the stand/ stands, are we close to a deal or is it more prudent to wait untill the end of the season and hopefully CL which could mean a better deal?
I get the point that such things would be added into a current deal anyway but actually been in there would surely attract more interested parties.
This does open up another viewpoint on the Coutinhio debate however, unlike Arsnal, City and UTD we are playing catchup with the stadium and infrastucture which has to be financed somehow.

{Ed002's Note - From day one I have tried to explain that expanding the stadium is a costly thing to do and that "Phase 2" was always likely to be at risk. Folks really don't seem to grasp how little additional income comes from adding the additional 8k seats - and it will take many, many years to pay off what has just been completed. The Phase 2 makes no real sense financially amd won't be eased by having the name of a Chinese insurance company or whatever on the roof. The way sponsorships are contracted for the more major clubs is on an assumption of Champions League and a reduction if there is not any.}

1.) 13 Oct 2016
13 Oct 2016 13:41:18
Bigger stadiums tend to have less atmosphere in general.
Don't see the need for further expansion.

2.) 13 Oct 2016
13 Oct 2016 14:53:54
I would think ultimately the best would be to wait till we have the infostructure in place to increase the top above 60k and make a mirror imagine stand opposite the new main as the 1st one seems to have gone down a treat.

3.) 13 Oct 2016
13 Oct 2016 13:33:05
Hi Ed
I fully understand that the bums on seats does not make the huge financial difference, although I am surprised that sponsorship is not a big money maker towards the outlay. But that all aside the possitive press coverage we have received from the stand has not only lifted the fans and given an image that we are beginning to compete off the pitch, so back to what I was trying to find out, why has a sponsor not been found? Taking advantage of the opening must surely have been the logical buisness route? They have had years to find a sponsor, so success on the pitch was the only thought I had as to why they were waiting. Hoping you have news on who it is likely to be and when it will be anounced that’s all.

{Ed002's Note - Sponsoring a stand does not give the sponsor much return. I also think you might be over-valuing the amount of money it would bring in. There would be more for a sponsor of the stadium - and of course naming rights.}

4.) 13 Oct 2016
13 Oct 2016 13:52:51
Ed002, could it not be argued that there are a few immeasurable financial gains that could potentially be made?

For example 8000 extra seats is 8000 additional people potentially using the club shop. That is a indirect financial boost as a result of the seats.

Additionally and at the extreme end of this point, having more fans in the ground improves the atmosphere (in theory) and makes it more intimidating for the opposition. If it contributed to an increase of just 1 league position each year then the additional prize money is another financial boost.

I know normal businessmen don't look at things in this way. They want cold hard statistics and guaranteed return. Not theories and potential. It does seem a little narrow minded though in an industry so full of immeasurability. Increasing the stadium capacity would at the very least increase the clubs value for when it is sold.

To me it seems like an attempt to butter the fanatics up before another ticket price rise. I'm not a regular match goer so ticket increases don't impact me massively. Thus, I am not one who is strictly against a ticket increase personally, but it does come across as a pro-active excuse!

{Ed002's Note - You think that everyone who attends the game every week goes in to the club shop/ How much do they each spend? Merchandising will bring a tiny amount, it is trivial in the big scheme of things. The "atmosphere" is certainly not a consideration. The ticket prices at Liverpool are low - adding to the reason why adding more seats is not viable.}

5.) 13 Oct 2016
13 Oct 2016 15:57:05
All the more credit to the owners for giving something the fans wanted and deserved for too long but not neccasarily the club as a whole needed.

6.) 13 Oct 2016
13 Oct 2016 15:58:15
It's not needed.

7.) 13 Oct 2016
13 Oct 2016 21:00:14
Bigger stadiums don't have less atmosphere look at Celtic park

Shocking team but the crowd makes then good enough to draw with city see what happens away from home.

8.) 13 Oct 2016
13 Oct 2016 22:09:36
Further expansion would be great to allow more fans to get hold of tickets.

9.) 14 Oct 2016
14 Oct 2016 02:04:05
I know the club has to be run as a viable business but IF the demand is there it should be the clubs duty to try and give 8000 reds a chance to see their heroes in the flesh.

Surely nothing beats that experience in a young lads eyes.

{Ed001's Note - the 8th most profitable stadium in England should be able to generate enough money without needing a ticket price rise, even if they didn't take the TV money into the equation.}

10.) 14 Oct 2016
14 Oct 2016 04:05:51
FSG should diversify from the Anfield stadium. My idea is try building Anfield Auditoriums that beam the match live in different countries. You can have tie up with cinemas that reserve 1 cinema auditorium during match time and call it Anfield Fan Theatre Munich or Anfield Fan Theatre Shanghai. And get these so called ambassadors to watch the live matches with the fans weekly. I believe the world wide fan base will pay to get a pseudo feel of Anfield and maybe a few cheap door gifts.

11.) 14 Oct 2016
14 Oct 2016 07:58:26
Might as well watch in my local bar with mates.

12.) 14 Oct 2016
14 Oct 2016 19:40:28
Actually, that's not a bad shout Leek. A big cinema screen gives a different experience than a bar. Plus might go down well in some cultures where beer and football don't go hand in hand like they doing the UK.

13.) 15 Oct 2016
14 Oct 2016 23:49:31
BT Sport had the Chelsea Arsenal game in VR that wold be a really strange experience. Soon enough people will technically not have to go to the stadium for the stadium experience.