Stephen M Ross Backs Dave Brandon
Well, for those of us wondering how Stephen Ross feels about Dave Brandon and the AD, I think we have our answer, though it's not what most of us hoped for:
"He's probably the most qualified athletic director in the country. I think he's terrific," said billionaire real estate developer Stephen Ross, a UM alumnus who has given the university $310 million in recent years. "I wouldn't have given my gift to the athletic department if I didn't believe in Dave."
Another interesting takeaway from this article that seems to contradict what other recent reports have suggested:
A source within the university, who agreed to speak only on the condition of anonymity, said concerns about Brandon and UM athletics are a talking point, but little else at this point.
"There's no movement to push Brandon out," the source said, who noted that any change would go through the university president, to whom the athletic director reports, and would be a long-term process rather than a sudden dismissal.
Here's the full article
September 27th, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^
Welp, we're fucked.
September 27th, 2014 at 11:52 AM ^
I don't get why people are worried about this. Ross was giving tons of money before Brandon came in, right? It's not like he's going to stop giving money if Brandon is fired.
September 27th, 2014 at 12:52 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 2:03 PM ^
THis means nothing. Why would he hurt our athletic department in the press. His true opinion may be different and expressed to the appropriate persons behind closed doors...
September 27th, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^
business loves business
disappointing but expected
September 27th, 2014 at 10:41 AM ^
Business may love business, but demand drives it. Wait until that demand becomes fully elastic and gone if/when we get thumped by OSU/MSU and possibly 2 other teams...
Their tune will change real quick.
September 27th, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^
But that will flip right over when the publicity going into next season is how good we look in spring/fall practice. Couple that with a much better home schedule next year and suddenly the bangwagon will be overflowing again.
Once the season is over it will be all about next year and the hype machine will get going.
That's the way the world works.
September 27th, 2014 at 12:47 PM ^
So your claim does not seem to be valid at this point.
September 27th, 2014 at 1:17 PM ^
It's not insignificant. This must be the worst home schedule since almost forever.
Most of the predictions for this season were around 8-4. That's not the type of buzz to get people excited.
September 27th, 2014 at 1:48 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 2:04 PM ^
to have an impact on next year's ticket sales. For this season though, the schedule was a major factor.
September 27th, 2014 at 2:31 PM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 10:54 AM ^
True that. Money can't buy you smarts.
September 27th, 2014 at 10:59 AM ^
Though, interestingly, it can buy you an athletic department. Also a business school.
September 27th, 2014 at 11:23 AM ^
The future with Brandon:
September 27th, 2014 at 10:55 AM ^
At the end of the day, the Athletic Department and Coaches benefit by keeping the discussion focused on the student athletes, while they pull in millions of dollars in donations and salaries each year. This is absolutely about business and the only way to make a business recognize the power of the customer is to talk with your pocket book.
The challenge is how do you stop supporting something economically, but still support the student athletes?
Collectively we can not allow the people in power to continue to use the athletes as cover for poor performance. They keep directing the narrative to supporting the players to distract us from their performance.
September 27th, 2014 at 11:28 AM ^
why doesn't he hire him?
FWIW, based on his comments we now know who got Brandon the AD job.
September 27th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
Why would he hire him if he wants him to remain at Michigan? Ross obviously has a strong affection for his alma mater (given the huge sums he's donated) and thinks, rightly or not, that Brandon is the man to run the athletic show.
Brandon's definitely made some mistakes, and I'd be okay if he were replaced - but this community is making this into a witch hunt.
September 27th, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^
............. welp.........
September 27th, 2014 at 10:39 AM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 11:21 AM ^
Yeah, but all that matters is that the thumpings are absorbed "the Michigan Way". So Ross and Co are apparently down with it.
September 27th, 2014 at 10:40 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 27th, 2014 at 10:41 AM ^
but, yeah, that comment is not going to work.
September 27th, 2014 at 10:46 AM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 11:05 AM ^
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September 27th, 2014 at 1:38 PM ^
You ain't seen what I've seen
September 27th, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^
I've postulated for a while that much of the anti-Brandon vitriol was political. I've also said that no one on this board would ever come out and admit that. Here's one that couldn't resist.
Not saying that Groot is representative of all anti-DBr's (there are many valid reasons to oppose his direction). But it certainly is, in my mind, a catalyst to the derision.
September 27th, 2014 at 11:25 AM ^
The only catalysts to his derision are his own actions. I'd argue his supporters are more politically aware than his detractors. All you have to do is open your eyes to see that he's doing a terrible job.
September 27th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
I obviously cant speak for everyone but I've always known that I hated his politics, but back when we were all "Dave Brandon's Pimp Hand" I still loved him as AD. If it were about politics people would have hated him from the start.
September 27th, 2014 at 11:43 AM ^
How does Brandon's actions have anything to do with Republicans and Democrats? I'd think a lot of conservative traditional fans would be against shitty piped-in music for one thing. Bill Martin kept ticket prices reasonable. Does that make him a socialist?
Also, I wouldn't read too much into the Ross quote. He doesn't really seem like a guy who'd bitch about an AD anyway. The source claiming there's no move to get rid of Brandon is disheartening, but if it's someone from within the department, there's a good chance he's friendly with Brandon.
And, totally unrelated, there was talk on here, I think from Seth, about Jon Valk being forced out by Brandon. I don't remember anything like that. Was that true? Just a rumor?
September 27th, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^
I think the fact that DB is Republican is completely irrelevent, as in not even a secondary concern. I tend to think that people compartmentalize politics and sports...the two don't cross in our minds. The complaints wagered against DB have noting to do with politics...his actions have alienated and angered loyal alums and students, the core of the fanbase, the very people you don't want to piss off...and all for the almighty dollar.
September 27th, 2014 at 2:08 PM ^
I didn't know until recently that Brandon was a Republican. However I may feel about his political sympathies, it's Brandon's acts as AD that inform my opinion about him.
September 27th, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 12:45 PM ^
each other when members do stupid things.(Looks at defenders of Adrian Peterson)
I'm soooo sick of anti-wealthly comments. One is not good or bad because they do or do not have money. They are good or bad because of what they do.
If you are paying attention to what is going on in this country you'll notice no one group has a monopoly on committing terrible deeds.
September 27th, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^
Because this is about politics
September 27th, 2014 at 11:28 AM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 2:27 PM ^
Your comment is stupid and lazy...Please make the political connection that you alledge is there. Why would Ross, a resident of New York/Florida, need to scratch Brandon's back when Brandon lacks any political power? And assuming Brandon did have some power built up that hasn't been eroded by his time in the AD, why would Ross, an admitted Billionaire, need Brandon? Couldn't Ross obtain it through better means. This is probably just a case of Ross supporting the company line in the public eye...No one knows what his true intentions are behind closed doors.
Furthermore, no one previously brought up the political card when Ross gave hundereds of millions to his liberal alma-mater.
Quite frankly, its partisan a-holes such as yourself that fuel polarization versus moderation and cooperation. ENjoy Bolivia
September 28th, 2014 at 4:08 AM ^
What are you rambling about. It's only politics if some sort of conspiracy theory payoff is involved? They're kindered spirits. It's not that complicated.
September 27th, 2014 at 10:40 AM ^
Why are we so fucking stupid?
September 27th, 2014 at 11:24 AM ^
Because we insist on putting power-hungry assholes in positions of authority?
September 27th, 2014 at 10:40 AM ^
September 27th, 2014 at 11:41 AM ^
This is exactly what I was thinking. Ross has been made into quite the celeb around the B school and AD. New AD means he will lose some of that.
Don't get me started on how the rest of the student body feels regarding his gifts...
EDIT: and Mr. Ross has a lot of cash...
September 27th, 2014 at 11:42 AM ^
You've piqued my interest. Are the students actually bothered by the fact that Ross has given huge sums of money to his alma mater?
September 27th, 2014 at 11:51 AM ^
First of all, it's great that he donates this money to umich don't get me wrong.
I don't know if you've been to the B school or the AC, but they are some of the nicest facilities on campus. I know there was a bit of a sour taste when he gave his second gift to the departments that were already swimming in cash from previous donations.
EDIT: spelling
September 27th, 2014 at 12:21 PM ^
I was definitely envious for all the cool shit the B-School got but why wouldn't the guy give to the college he graduated from? LSA has plenty of rich alums who could donate also.
September 27th, 2014 at 12:52 PM ^
I live in A2 so yeah, I've seen them. But it seems to me that the University in general is stepping it up in terms of facilities all over the place. I stopped by East Quad recently, where I lived my first two years and whoa - it doesn't look anything like the semi-dump I knew.
Ross is giving to the particular school he went to and I don't see a problem with that. There are of course other rich alumni out there who don't give like he does. They're where you should really direct your ire.