For most fans, input into the running of their favorite team is limited to yelling from the bleachers or throwing things at their television. But supporters of the English soccer team Ebbsfleet have a new option that makes fantasy sports look just plain silly.
A deal agreed on Tuesday, allowed nearly 30,000 fans to buy the team. For a mere $70, each fan received an equal share in the team. Their $70 gets them a vote on all club affairs, right down to which players start on match-day.
If only my L.A. Lakers had a similar scheme! Maybe then we wouldn’t have traded away Shaquille O’Neal before winning at least two more championships.
The Ebbsfleet scheme is a real life experiment in the theory that made its rounds a couple years back in a book called The Wisdom of Crowds. In Ebbsfleet’s case, nearly 30,000 owners now vote on everything. The team has 14 wins, 7 draws, and 9 loses on the season. One of those draws is the only match they’ve played since the fans took over. I’m going to be interested to see how they fare the rest of the way.
Unfortunately, you still can’t get your favorite team in the U.S. to sign that big free agent or fire that bum of a coach. But if you’re interested, take a crack at running Ebbsfleet. It could be fun.
