Bon Jovi concert debacle latest embarrassment for the Browns
Posted by Mike Florio on June 17, 2013, 4:55 PM EDT
As the Browns try to reverse a decade filled mainly with bad performances, they need to get out of their own way.
It’s apparently harder than it looks.
Sure, the federal Pilot Flying J investigation has no direct impact on the football team. For now. If, however, owner Jimmy Haslam gets indicted for customer rebate fraud occurring at the billion-dollar truck-stop company founded by his father, turmoil will quickly return to what had appeared to be a settled ownership situation.
The cancellation of the Bon Jovi concert at FirstEnergy Stadium a/k/a the Factory of Sadness likewise has no direct impact on the football team. But for the fact that the football team teased and hyped and promoted the thing as the unofficial kickoff to the 2013 season.
It’s still not entirely clear why the Browns punted on the July 14 event. As explained by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the team referred questions on the reasons for the plug-pulling to Bon Jovi’s publicist, Ken Sunshine. (God, I hope his middle name starts with a C.)
That seems like a fancy way of saying, “It’s not our fault.” Still, at a certain level, it is.
If, as it appears based on recent media reports, the ongoing feud between Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora contributed to the cancellation, the Browns should have realized that the problems could prevent the band from honoring its commitment to play — and in turn hired someone else.
Like KISS.
And, yes, this whole blurb was written because I wanted to once again pitch KISS for an NFL gig.
Hey, Browns. It’s not too late to pick up the phone and call Dr. Love.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
Bon Jovi concert debacle latest embarrassment for the Browns
Posted by Mike Florio on June 17, 2013, 4:55 PM EDT
As the Browns try to reverse a decade filled mainly with bad performances, they need to get out of their own way.
It’s apparently harder than it looks.
Sure, the federal Pilot Flying J investigation has no direct impact on the football team. For now. If, however, owner Jimmy Haslam gets indicted for customer rebate fraud occurring at the billion-dollar truck-stop company founded by his father, turmoil will quickly return to what had appeared to be a settled ownership situation.
The cancellation of the Bon Jovi concert at FirstEnergy Stadium a/k/a the Factory of Sadness likewise has no direct impact on the football team. But for the fact that the football team teased and hyped and promoted the thing as the unofficial kickoff to the 2013 season.
It’s still not entirely clear why the Browns punted on the July 14 event. As explained by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the team referred questions on the reasons for the plug-pulling to Bon Jovi’s publicist, Ken Sunshine. (God, I hope his middle name starts with a C.)
That seems like a fancy way of saying, “It’s not our fault.” Still, at a certain level, it is.
If, as it appears based on recent media reports, the ongoing feud between Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora contributed to the cancellation, the Browns should have realized that the problems could prevent the band from honoring its commitment to play — and in turn hired someone else.
Like KISS.
And, yes, this whole blurb was written because I wanted to once again pitch KISS for an NFL gig.
Hey, Browns. It’s not too late to pick up the phone and call Dr. Love.
Sounds a lot like it's something to do with Bon Jovi and not the Browns. They referred questions to the bands publicist and the remark about the recent issues between Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora which by the way have been in the news anyway.
So, to me it sounds a lot like a band issue and not a Browns issue.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
I always found it curious that the Browns got Bon Jovi when he played at the Q in March. Either way, my guess is early sales numbers may have been an indicator for the cancellation. I don't know how anything with Michael Stanley 20+ yrs past his prime can't be a sellout.
At DT, context and meaning are a scarecrow kicking at moving goalposts.
Quote: the type of event we’re hoping is reflective of the type of organization we want to be
And it IS Uncle Joe, it IS. This is completely reflective of the type of organization you're running. Promise one thing, deliver another.... sounds like the PFJ business plan has come to Browns Town.
Hated it from the announcement. This is like SB halftime show. Sidecar, and hardly what I watch football to see. Just win games at the start; it will be REAL excitement. Is that why we are buying tickets. Now if it ws the Stones . . .
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
Quote: the type of event we’re hoping is reflective of the type of organization we want to be
And it IS Uncle Joe, it IS. This is completely reflective of the type of organization you're running. Promise one thing, deliver another.... sounds like the PFJ business plan has come to Browns Town.
That's our Spirit. Never miss an opportunity to bash the new FO.
negative leading argument maybe... maybe.... maybe.... something that doesn't matter, is a slam dunk to happen before it could matter, but let's mention it anyway because someone might not realize it.
I think I got this down. Copy/paste and sprinkle in a few changes based on subject at hand.
No kidding. Just get him, The Pretenders, & a whoever else knows the people of NE Ohio. Make it a festival. Fill it out w other rock bands that fit in.
I appreciate Jimmy's intentions but Bon Jovi, while still massively successful when it comes to touring, just wasn't what anyone wanted.
Man, if he wants to start his regime off with a bang how about getting LED ZEPPELIN! Yeah, it will cost. But he's Mr. Moneybags right? Pony up the cash and do it right. Because this looks like something Art Model would have pulled.
Vers, indeed I'm being unfair to our awesome front office. Making a big announcement about a concert and fan day/pep rally and then cancelling it is an AWESOME way to show the fans you're running things differently.....
As some have said, as long as they win right out of the gate this won't matter much. Hell, if they win 10 games it won't matter if ole Jim-bob is in federal prison. But they better win.....
If they're looking for an icon, Neil Young would be a good choice, especially if it featured an appearance from Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Can't speak for C, S, & N, but Neil can still rock.
because he's way up there in age? I like CSN&Y and I'm under 30 but come on, Bon Jovi was a dated pick but looks like a regular Justin Beiber in comparison
"Tell me why" was a song from Neil Young's "After The Gold Rush" album ... I was just busting PPE's chops. Trying to be clever, and coming up short. So it goes.
Musical tastes differ, of course, but Neil Young has a body of work that Jon Bon Jovi could only dream of. But I know he's not for everyone.
"But announcing a show in a 73,000-seat venue just six weeks in advance is a concert-promotion debacle equivalent to Red Right 88."
leads to this....
One anonymous tipster inside the Browns camp claimed that fewer than 3,500 tickets had been sold for the July 14 combination of concert and fan festival.
I would recommend just sticking to remedying the football operations since pretty much everyone in the FO is new and worry about additional revenue streams at a later time. It's a good idea in theory, but I think they bit off more than they could chew and hastily made a bad decision on this front. Better luck next time.
At DT, context and meaning are a scarecrow kicking at moving goalposts.
"But announcing a show in a 73,000-seat venue just six weeks in advance is a concert-promotion debacle equivalent to Red Right 88."
leads to this....
One anonymous tipster inside the Browns camp claimed that fewer than 3,500 tickets had been sold for the July 14 combination of concert and fan festival.
I would recommend just sticking to remedying the football operations since pretty much everyone in the FO is new and worry about additional revenue streams at a later time. It's a good idea in theory, but I think they bit off more than they could chew and hastily made a bad decision on this front. Better luck next time.
I find it extremely hard to believe that only 3500 tickets were sold.. Thus I find the commentary unreliable.
But I do think that the Browns FO should stick to football and let a promoter do these kinda things.. It's not what they are supposed to be good at.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
Step one for a better reception would have been to have hired an actual concert promoter and engage the appropriate local radio stations. The announcement should have been followed by a launch of tons of air spots for the target demographic. Heck, the team buys Ad space on here, but didn't even have an Ad for the concert.
You can't just announce something and expect it to sell without effective promotions. Especially at the price points of modern concerts for premier names.
My brother said something to me about the team firing the security company for the stadium and speculated that this may be a possible reason for the cancellation as well.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
LOL.....Now thats a Icon.....god wouldnt that be fun a day with Joe Walsh...LOL....Seen Joe many a times, he dosent remember playing but he was there....but at that point who really cares
I'll third or fourth that motion - Joe Walsh would be a hoot. Plus he could do a great duo with Michael Stanley on "Rosewood Bitters", since he played on the original MS version and then covered it on his "Confessor" album.
Rodger Waters needs to come out and build "The Wall" in CBS. I would pay to see that show again. Get Gilmour to play with him and it would mean that anything could happen...The Browns SB champs! Hell frozen over! OH the humanity!