Interesting perspective on Richardson's business philosophy (mike rucker's take)

[PhillyB]

Take this with a grain of salt/for what it's worth, as this is secondhand information, but I had a guy at my bar last night who I ended up talking football with for about three hours... he was from Charlotte and lived in a pretty nice section of town, said Mike Rucker lived three doors down from him and Mike Minter lived at the end of the street.

We ended up discussing the CBA and Jerry Richardon's place in it, and he told me that after Richardson went on that presser and sounded like a confused old fool, he (the guy at my bar) was hanging out with Rucker and asked him his opinion about it.

Rucker, and Minter as well, apparently held the highest possible opinion of Richardson from an business perspective as well as a personal standpoint. "He's gold through and through," was the response. Rucker went on to explain that while Richardson would never say it in the presser, one of the biggest factors Jerry takes into consideration is every person associated with the stadium. He said Jerry's concern was more than just the players negotiating to get more money; it was about every concessions worker, every janitor, every ticket salesman, tech guy, marketing director, lawn trimmer, maintenance man, etc that the stadium employed.

He said that other owners saw them as expendable - if the business tanked, they'd lay off hundreds of workers without a second thought, instead of sacrificing player salaries or concerns; Richardson sees both as equally as important. He's going to make sure his players are paid, but he refuses to sacrifice the business as a whole for it, given how it affects the people that nobody thinks about.

"Jerry Richardson cares about people," said Rucker. "People. He cares about his employees, every one of them, on the field or off, more than anything in the world. It's why he's such a successful businessman."

[Zod]

Nah, can't be, people on this message board say he is an old senile miser. Who knows more?

[teeray]

JR is the best owner in football.

[CatMan72]

Take this with a grain of salt/for what it's worth, as this is secondhand information, but I had a guy at my bar last night who I ended up talking football with for about three hours... he was from Charlotte and lived in a pretty nice section of town, said Mike Rucker lived three doors down from him and Mike Minter lived at the end of the street.

We ended up discussing the CBA and Jerry Richardon's place in it, and he told me that after Richardson went on that presser and sounded like a confused old fool, he (the guy at my bar) was hanging out with Rucker and asked him his opinion about it.

Rucker, and Minter as well, apparently held the highest possible opinion of Richardson from an business perspective as well as a personal standpoint. "He's gold through and through," was the response. Rucker went on to explain that while Richardson would never say it in the presser, one of the biggest factors Jerry takes into consideration is every person associated with the stadium. He said Jerry's concern was more than just the players negotiating to get more money; it was about every concessions worker, every janitor, every ticket salesman, tech guy, marketing director, lawn trimmer, maintenance man, etc that the stadium employed.

He said that other owners saw them as expendable - if the business tanked, they'd lay off hundreds of workers without a second thought, instead of sacrificing player salaries or concerns; Richardson sees both as equally as important. He's going to make sure his players are paid, but he refuses to sacrifice the business as a whole for it, given how it affects the people that nobody thinks about.

"Jerry Richardson cares about people," said Rucker. "People. He cares about his employees, every one of them, on the field or off, more than anything in the world. It's why he's such a successful businessman."

I appreciate that, but I don't think it's a practical approach... without the players and the fans there is no need for the concession workers, the ticket salesman, the groundskeeper, etc...

[Mother Grabber]

I sure wish I had me some chicken and bisskits!

[The Saltman]

hardeezbojanglesdelhommebizkuitseleventy!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111!!

[Mother Grabber]

How long has it been since Rucker and Minter have been in close contact with JR? While he may have been that way 5 years ago, he could still be a senile old fool now.

[Cyberjag]

I appreciate that, but I don't think it's a practical approach... without the players and the fans there is no need for the concession workers, the ticket salesman, the groundskeeper, etc...

Go tell a groundskeeper that it isn't practical for JR to care about his job. :p

I think he's a great guy, and although maybe he could be a little more ruthless and treat people like "little people" I'm sure glad he isn't and doesn't. I wouldn't buy a PSL from Jerry Jones if I bled Dallas blue. But I am more than happy to give JR my money. He's a good guy, and I'm proud to root for his team.

So what's really practical?

[CatMan72]

Go tell a groundskeeper that it isn't practical for JR to care about his job. :p

I think he's a great guy, and although maybe he could be a little more ruthless and treat people like "little people" I'm sure glad he isn't and doesn't. I wouldn't buy a PSL from Jerry Jones if I bled Dallas blue. But I am more than happy to give JR my money. He's a good guy, and I'm proud to root for his team.

So what's really practical?

My point was that the groundskeeper only has a job to begin with as a result of the players who are the product and the fans who pay to see that product.

Don't get me wrong, I think JR is a great guy and I'm glad he cares about everyone who works for the Panthers organization, but at some point it becomes a practical matter... you need to get the product and the paying customers back out there or you have no need for a groundskeeper.

[countryboi]

its a nice story but my bullshit detector is going off........i think its far more likely that JR only really cares about his bottom line and uses that i care about people mess when it benefits him

[Happy Panther]

Nah, can't be, people on this message board say he is an old senile miser. Who knows more?

A random drunk at the bar, apparently.

[TheRealDeal]

Take this with a grain of salt/for what it's worth, as this is secondhand information, but I had a guy at my bar last night who I ended up talking football with for about three hours... he was from Charlotte and lived in a pretty nice section of town, said Mike Rucker lived three doors down from him and Mike Minter lived at the end of the street.

Basically all I got from this is that you met a guy at a bar, got really drunk with him, he took you back to his house in a nice part of town, name dropped to make his neighborhood look awesome, then banged you?

[Carolina Husker]

That is truly heart warming.

Also, interesting journalistic approach to use third hand information you overheard at a bar in quotations.

[Zaximus]

It would be dumb of him NOT to say this at a presser, I don't see any advantage of NOT saying this. It would make him look much better to the outside world. I think something happened to JR though, maybe he got the person whose heart he has' feelings or something, but I have a hard time believing this guy, RIGHT now, would say that.