Does Wolff have any financial ties to Bernard Madoff?

by monkeyball on Dec 20, 2008 10:38 AM PST Comment 52 comments

UPDATE: Lew Wolff just wrote to me and said, "You can tell your fans that I never heard of the guy until the news of his scheme broke." - Blez

A joint AN release from the Department of Irresponsible Speculation and the Idle Hands Division ...

Bernie Madoff, the Wall Street titan who recently admitted to running a massive Ponzi scheme, apparently numbered among his marks both Mets owner Fred Wilpon and a wide swath of New York/East Coast real estate developers.

Now, granted, Lew Wolff is a Hollywood/West Coast guy, and a member of a different slice of high society than the Wilpons. But he is a major real-estate player, and there have been some local institutions and individuals who lost money to Madoff.

I'm not at all alleging that Wolff does have losses (or, heck, early-participant gains) from Madoff's scheme; but I do think it's a question that could reasonably be asked of him.

If it was the case, that could potentially explain some of the financial whipsawing by the A's this offseason, with regard to both roster and stadium deals. Other considerations, to be sure, could also explain this offseason.

In any event, it does seem as if the economy is taking a toll on the team's stadium development plans (though Beane seems to be in good shape with cash for free agents, his non-highballing of Furcal notwithstanding).

What's the community guess on the timetable for the--heck, any--new A's stadium?

Poll

When--and where--will the new A's stadium open?

2012, Fremont (ballpark village location)

69 votes

2012, Fremont (Warm Springs BART location)

65 votes

2012, Oakland

27 votes

2012, San Jose

70 votes

2013, Fremont (ballpark village location)

55 votes

2013, Fremont (Warm Springs BART location)

51 votes

2013, Oakland

15 votes

2013, San Jose

84 votes

2014, Fremont (ballpark village location)

30 votes

2014, Fremont (Warm Springs BART location)

53 votes

2014, Oakland

44 votes

2014, San Jose

65 votes

The A's won't get a new stadium for the foreseeable future

193 votes

The A's will move out of state

191 votes

1012 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 52 comments |

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Comments

I'm sorry...what?!?

Why is moving out of state winning by a landslide? I have not hear anything that makes this appear inevitable, could someone enlighten me?

by stranahanahan on Dec 20, 2008 10:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

yeah, I don't get that either

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 20, 2008 10:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, that's what I voted

I was just following a natural pessimistic impulse, apparently the prevailing attitude around AN as well. Must be a sign of the times.

I know it’s not all that significant, especially in the broader context of such a severe recession, but the Furcal snub somehow added to this sentiment. It’s hard to shake the feeling, however misguided, that the A’s just aren’t sustainable in the Bay Area.

Lew Wolff is the managing partner of the ownership group because of his background as a developer. With the real estate market tanked, where is the private financing going to come from? This question has been consistently skirted, and the days of trusting the rich guys (because after all they’re rich and thus know what they’re doing) to figure out the numbers are over.

I know, my opinion isn’t based on sound analysis so much as cosmic pessimism, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that this thing isn’t going to work. I think some other city/metropolitan area that’s willing pony up public money will ultimately lure the A’s.

by Jeremy Belvins on Dec 20, 2008 2:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i really don't think there's another metropolitan area that is a better choice than the bay

"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra

by Cheezombie on Dec 20, 2008 2:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno

Oklahoma City isn’t really “better” than Seattle, but they got the Sonics. Just because another are is a smaller market doesn’t make them a worse option. The A’s only sell out when they play the Yankees or the Red Sox. They might do much better in, say, Nashville.

But, the big thing, is public financing. I think the Bay Area is the worst place in this regard. I think it’s easier to get public money someplace where there are no other sports teams. . That’s my impression, anyway.

by Jeremy Belvins on Dec 20, 2008 6:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm on painkillers

by Jeremy Belvins on Dec 20, 2008 6:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

As a resident of the Oklahoma City metro area….

1) Oklahoma City isn’t really "better" than Seattle.

Duh (with a bullet).

2) I think it’s easier to get public money someplace where there are no other sports teams.

Indeed. And there’s a good reason for this. Only in a place like OKC is knuckling under to franchise-owner extortion a reasonably good public investment. Getting a major league sports franchise—even one as mired in awful as the OKC Thunder—actually makes a difference to the public profile of a place like OKC.

Much as I love my A’s and hope that they never leave the Bay Area, it’s just not that important for any community there that they stick around.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Dec 21, 2008 10:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Makes no sense

Other possible cities are not in measurably better shape than any in California. Vegas is doubly hit by the economic crisis. Portland’s trying to juggle its AAA team and a MLS bid, and they’ve given up for the time being. San Antonio is still small potatoes.

by vertig0 on Dec 20, 2008 10:28 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

those are Halos Heaven votes...

they dream of the day when the Angels will have the only AL team in California.

But, after the A’s consecutive World Series championships from 2009 through 2015, the Angels will be contracted and Fremont will be renamed Titletown USA.

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Dec 20, 2008 10:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Or that there's so many "A's are staying in state poll options"

that the vote got scattered.

Even though the “A’s are staying in Cali” crew is winning by a very, very stunningly thin margin.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 20, 2008 10:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

As of this comment, it is 144 in-state, 106 out-of-state

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Dec 20, 2008 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wouldn't it be more relevant to ask...

whether the Fisher family lost money in the Madoff scandal? Lew Wolff’s wealth is a relatively insignifcant factor in the equation. He’s has only a 10% ownership interest.

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Dec 20, 2008 10:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

good point

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 20, 2008 10:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lew Wolff just wrote to me and said:

You can tell your fans that I never heard of the guy until the news of his scheme broke.

by Blez on Dec 20, 2008 10:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Just goes to show

There are a lot of rich people out there

by vertig0 on Dec 20, 2008 10:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"Your fans"?

Really? He said “Your” fans? Lew, ain’t it “our” fans? Where’s the ownership Lew? Coddle me!

I dream of Fremont and rainbows

by OptimistPrime on Dec 20, 2008 10:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I am not an A's fan, I am a Blez fan, and an AN fan.

by theblackpearl on Dec 20, 2008 11:18 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

I am a #14fan fan

by #14fan fan on Dec 20, 2008 1:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you have fans?

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Dec 20, 2008 3:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

are you my fan?

by #14fan fan on Dec 20, 2008 5:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I am.

"To this day and dating back 25 years, before every game he plays, Henderson stands completely naked in front of a full length locker room mirror and says, "Ricky’s the best," for several minutes."

by VORP is too nerdy on Dec 20, 2008 7:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No you're not.

If you were, you’d change your handle to #14fan fan fan.

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Dec 20, 2008 7:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

if he was truly my fan

he would start the #14fan fan fan club

by #14fan fan on Dec 20, 2008 11:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Why doesn't Lew get his own AN account so he can tell everyone himself?

"Good or bad, I don't know. This is awesome." ~Nick Swisher

by humdinger on Dec 20, 2008 11:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see a need for him to have an account unless he wants one.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Dec 20, 2008 11:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

something tells me there is little Lew finds more annoying

Than us AN members. Owners like their fans quiet (and wealthy).

by jdr on Dec 20, 2008 12:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It was tongue in cheek, but

clearly he reads the blog if he responded to the post, right?

"Good or bad, I don't know. This is awesome." ~Nick Swisher

by humdinger on Dec 20, 2008 2:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

or blez contacted him?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 20, 2008 2:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

True, it could be.

But the quote says he wrote to Blez, not that he responded. I would be curious which it is. Blez?

"Good or bad, I don't know. This is awesome." ~Nick Swisher

by humdinger on Dec 20, 2008 2:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Or, of course, he has employees who are interested in AN

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Dec 20, 2008 7:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't contact him

The email came as a surprise to me as I hadn’t had a chance to check in on AN yet today.

by Blez on Dec 21, 2008 1:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oh boy

Top Ten Reasons why Lew Wolff doesn’t have an AN account?

Having trouble settling on a user name?
Can’t find a wireless location that won’t make him purchase a $4 latte?

Let's Go Fremont! clap clap clapclapclap

by SF Geoff on Dec 20, 2008 11:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

#8...

saw what happened to Mychael Urban on AN.

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Dec 20, 2008 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

totally

Afraid that CrAzY wAnD aCTioN will sign elsewhere as a free agent

Fear that BobbyCrosby’sGirl is lookin’ for him

Let's Go Fremont! clap clap clapclapclap

by SF Geoff on Dec 20, 2008 11:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he'd rather invest the sign-up fee back into the team!

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 20, 2008 11:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I want my money back for that joke

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Dec 20, 2008 7:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i have one, thanks

but i prefer to send my emails to blez, as he needs the thrill

I have no solutions, just rejoindres

by alea iacta est on Dec 20, 2008 1:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

While it's nice he said so...

…I question even the speculation of him being connected to the Madoff stuff without any basis for it. I mean, there’s not much more of a connection than the fact Wolff himself is in the real estate industry. That could fit a LOT of people.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Dec 20, 2008 11:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Interestingly

many (most?) of Madoff’s investors had never heard of him either, but were invested through third party funds.

Thanks for tomorrow 'cause I've had enough

by andeux on Dec 20, 2008 12:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

is this the fastest a monkeyball conspiracy theory has every been debunked?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 20, 2008 12:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

(ever)

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 20, 2008 12:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You were right the first time

They’ve every [time] been debunked.

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Dec 20, 2008 7:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

wow im surprised how many people said they will move out of state.

"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra

by Cheezombie on Dec 20, 2008 1:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Who cares about all of this!

Crosby seems motivated! Cool!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/19/SPBJ14RHMR.DTL

by A'sfansince1970 on Dec 20, 2008 1:55 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

2 years + an option for Giambi?

NO.

by mikev on Dec 20, 2008 2:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Eesh.

Hope Lew wasn’t insulted.

"To this day and dating back 25 years, before every game he plays, Henderson stands completely naked in front of a full length locker room mirror and says, "Ricky’s the best," for several minutes."

by VORP is too nerdy on Dec 20, 2008 7:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I would be if I were him

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 20, 2008 8:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I certainly wouldn't blame him if he were....

but what I find classy is the fact that he thought enough of Blez and AN to respond quickly. It’s very complimentary in my opinion. We may not be all that much, but at least he cares what we think.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Dec 21, 2008 7:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs