New York Nine: The Owners

9)  Charles Wang

Terrible owner. Wang bought the team in 2000 and has absolutely destroyed the franchise. When Rangers fans become upset about Jim Dolan, they should look at Wang.

8)  James Dolan

Speaking of Dolan, what a disgrace of a person this guy is. Jim Dolan managed to ruin two professional sports franchises in a matter of a few years. A few years after taking over Madison Square Garden, the Knicks and Rangers fell into mediocrity.

There is no end to Dolan’s madness. He continues to spend stupid money and hire stupid people. He still goes to Isiah Thomas for basketball advice. How mentally challenged can you be?

Then there is the whole Glen Sather thing. Why he won’t fire Sather is beyond anyone’s imagination. His checkbook says he cares, but is Dolan’s heart really into these teams?

7)  The Wilpons

I was thinking about ranking the Wilpons eighth, but at least they have won something. Fred Wilpon became part-owner of the New York Mets in 1986, before buying the rest of the team in 2002. His son Jeff is the COO of the Mets.

Not only have the Mets been a mediocre franchise for the past two decades, but most of their downfall comes right from the ownership. The Wilpons contiuously get into embarrassing situations that end up trickling down to the team. How is the Bernie Madoff situation effecting the Mets right now? Does anyone now? Why won’t this ownership comunicate with the fanbase?

The Wilpons’ baseball decisions rank among the worst of any owners. They continue to hire bad GM after bad GM. With the largest payroll in the National League, the Mets still can’t make the playoffs.

6)  Mikhail Prokhorov

We don’t know much about Prokhorov, but we know a few things. He likes to win, he has a lot of money, and he likes women. That sounds like a good enough owner to me. He hasn’t screwed anything up yet, so he is a good owner in my book. When the Nets move to Brooklyn in 2012, hopefully Prokhorov changes their name.

5)  Woody Johnson

In 2000, Woody Johnson purchased the New York Jets. Since then, the Jets have had moderate success, making the playoffs five times. His biggest accomplishment was going to the AFC Championship Game last season.

4)  Jeff Vanderbeek

Vanderbeek became a minority owner of the New Jersey Devils in 2000 and became the majority owner in 2004.  Despite running a small market team, Jeff has put a playoff contender on the ice every season.  While his tendency to spend in recent years may come back to haunt the Devils, it is certainly working right now. 

3)  The Tisches

Bob Tisch bought a minority share in the New York Giants in 1991. His son Steve is now the Chairman and Excecutive Vice President of the Giants. Two years after Bob died in 2005, the Giants won their third Super Bowl.

2)  The Maras

What can I say about the Maras.  The Maras have won four NFL Championships, three Super Bowls, and built two new stadiums.  Without Tim, Jack, Wellington, and Steve, the Giants would be in a much worse place right now.

1)  The Steinbrenners

 George Steinbrenner is a person every person in this world should try to emulate.  He was a passionate person, had a kind heart, and was a great business man. 

For more on George, Hank, and Hal, click here.