Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2017 40 L ike many urban dwellers, I live in a city with several professional and major league sports teams. We have a hockey team and a basketball team both owned by the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Network that has also brought us professional soccer and even lacrosse. They own and manage many of the big sports and entertainment venues in and around metro Denver as well as the Los Angeles Rams. With their wide reach, it's no surprise that they're part of the Walton family of Wal-Mart fame. Since 1984, the four-time Super Bowl champions Denver Broncos have been owned by the Bowlen family—Pat and his two brothers. Former Bronco quarterback John Elway is executive vice president of football operations and general manager of the team. Baseball came late to Denver and we were hungry for it when it finally arrived in 1991. We fought hard to get our expansion team. A group headed by Charles K. "Charlie" and Richard L. "Dick" Monfort owns the Colorado Rockies baseball team. Most of our teams have had some good seasons through the years. We've brought home the Vince Lombardi trophy and the Stanley Cup and had a number of big playoff seasons. But it's the team ownership– not any of our win-loss records–that seems to differentiate the teams the most. Although Stan Kroenke is a sports fan, his business interests vary from wine to real estate and shopping center development. Even as one of his partnerships is called THF–standing for To Have Fun–he is driven to make his own fortune and name apart from the Walton family. (His wife Ann is a Wal-Mart heiress). With holdings from Missouri to California, Kroenke is hardly revered as a Colorado native son. Ask any St. Louis football fan how they felt when Mr. Kroenke moved their team back to L.A. earlier this year. I think most Colorado sports fans view both the Nuggets and Avalanche as average teams with uninspired owners. The Broncos as well as their Bowlen family owners are universally loved in Denver. The team has world-class facilities and invests in franchise-building players. Tickets are as hard to come by whether first year rookie Trevor Siemian or Hall of Fame probable Peyton Manning is the quarterback. Bronco gear is some of the best-selling in the league. When "Mr. B" announced the end of his hands-on team management due to his progressive Alzheimer's disease there was true grieving in Denver. Peyton Manning's Super Bowl win was dimmed by Mr. Bowlen's absence. Even Elway's "This one's for you, Pat," wasn't quite right. And then there's the mostly losing Colorado Rockies. The Monforts have repeatedly declined to make the investment needed to build a winning team. When fans complain about being disappointed season after season, Mr. Monfort has suggested numerous times that they just not come to his games. Dick Monfort has consistently said his focus is on the fan experience. There's no question that Coors Field remains one of the best in the league but for the past several years, it's empty unless the opposing team's fans fill the seats. The fan experience would be greatly improved with a record better than this season's 75 - 87. Three ownership groups with three different management styles. All have great assets–the franchises themselves–that would easily sell for huge multiples. One is a large corporate giant and two are locally-owned. Businesses are mirrors of their owners. What does your leadership style as an owner say? Is your store one of many interests you have like Kroenke Sports & Entertainment or are you singularly focused on making your company a great place to work and shop? Do you have the energy, enthusiasm and vision to make it to the playoffs year after year? Does your business have strong, visible connections to your community like the Broncos do? Would your customers mourn if you had to take a back seat in the everyday management of your company? Would your employees still turn in a Super Bowl-winning performance? As an owner, you're GM, coach and player. You set the tone for your franchise, develop the plays and make sure your players have what they need to win. You draw your fans into your stadium and inspire them to come back again and again. Like sports, business can be thrilling or heartbreaking. You can practice hard, have a great team, fill the stands and still have a losing season. But when you bring home that big trophy, nothing is better. Elly Valas is an author, speaker and retail consultant. She can be reached at elly@ellyvalas.com or 303-316-7568. Elly Valas Retail Views RO MAJOR LEAGUE LEADERSHIP

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