Menu
Franchises

Pirates Owner Defends Payroll Committment, Says Team Underperformed Last Season

Pirates Owner Bob Nutting yesterday "marked the start of spring training with his annual closed-door meeting with the players and coaches," and "much has changed since he delivered his first address" in '07, according to Rob Biertempfel of the TRIBLIVE.com. Nutting said the "degree of transformation" since his start has been "remarkable." But Nutting "came under fire in December at PirateFest for a perceived lack of commitment to winning," as the Pirates "continue to rank among the bottom third of MLB clubs in terms of payroll." Nutting said the club's 78-83 record last year was "because the team and organization underperformed [considering] the level of talent that we had." Nutting: "We had some very good players who did not perform up to the expectations that we had. I really think it's far more execution than what we put together.” Nutting also "disputed the notion that he is taking a profit instead of pouring money into player acquisition." Nutting: “I've still never taken a salary from the team" (TRIBLIVE.com, 2/20). In Pittsburgh, Stephen Nesbitt notes the payroll for the Pirates active roster "currently projects" to be around $100M. Nutting said that it is "too early to decide whether to continue spending or where, but there should be room to grow​ later on this season." He said the idea is to “always have the flexibility to be opportunistic" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/21).

A PIRATES' LIFE FOR THEM? Nesbitt notes Pirates manager Clint Hurdle and Senior VP & GM Neal Huntington "both are entering their final guaranteed seasons under contract, while both have a club option" for '18. Nutting: "They’re very comfortable with us and the organization. The contact extension is not something that’s top of mind for me. It’s not an issue at this point. But they are tremendous talents who I love" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 2/21). 

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/02/21/Franchises/Pirates.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2017/02/21/Franchises/Pirates.aspx

CLOSE