The Curse of the Sabathia Contract

A new stadium. A massive contract for CC Sabathia. The Bronx seems to have its own economy, one in which money grows on trees and extreme spending is a neighborhood pickup sport.

But just wait until April.

With Yankees’ tickets becoming as expensive as football tickets, fans will not tolerate very much in the way of losing. Sure, many will want to see the new stadium. So, 2009 will be a novelty season with lofty attendance. But if the Yankees continue to fail miserably on the field like in 2008, then 2010 may stand as the team’s Great Depression.

In a tough economy, $8 hot dogs and $10 beers don’t fly if the team is lousy. The Yankees are obligated to charge big dollars for concessions, because the stadium is expensive and so are the players. The Yankees failure to make a connection between the economy and the Sabathia contract is a major mistake that may have long-term negative ripples.

The only way out? Win a championship. Of course, the Yankees haven’t done that in a while. Jeter is getting older. The new breed of Steinbrenner hardly looks like the old. Looks like storm clouds are moving in…