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editors@dumpyork.com
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Is this site inconsequential?
"Just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean they're not out to get
you."
- Fox Mulder, X-Files
You could imagine John York might be feeling a tad suspicious that he's
being targeted for alien abduction - it's been that kind of week. When  ESPN
devotes an entire half hour show to calling you a cheap bastard; When
Sports Illustrated pins a "Kick Me, I'm Ebenezer Scrooge" sign on
your back because you wanted to end the tradition of giving away
presents to the player's children at the annual Christmas party; when
every local paper, sports talk radio program, and news organization in
the Bay Area has publicized the fact that you garnished a player's
wages 37¢ because he used a stamp, alien abduction may well be an
attractive option.
After all, we've heard that you just hate being called CHEAP.
This is bigger than a win/loss record. Let us consider that the sports
media profit from the "business" of sports. What could motivate them to
so brutally bite the hand that feeds them? After the SI article
branded York the Bad Santa, we hear that children are no longer allowed
to attend the annual 49er player Xmas party. Then we hear it was a big
"miscommunication" and there will be a special kids-only party before
the adults-only party--so much for family. Feeling snappish Dr. York?
It's not fun being America's new millionaire-tightwad.
NFL ownership is an exceedingly exclusive club. In the owner's eyes they
are the NFL. What could posses the national sports press, that
feeds from their trough, to so painfully embarrass Dr. John York? Would
they really go after one of the club, so vehemently if the club itself
didn't give a wink and a nod?
I'm guessing York has done something to get himself voted off the
island.
One could understand that being called CHEAP might seem unfair,
especially when Google tells us that York's wife makes frequent public
appearances to promote her philanthropy. The Debartolo family's
benevolence deserves praise, but York's handling of the 49ers, reveals
a vacuous lack of personal character.
Can we continue to support a team run by this man? Being an avid 49er
fan for nearly 30 years, I don't have an answer - but I can no longer
avoid the question.
The press doesn't think 49ers fans can wean themselves from their
football addiction. They are beginning to call this site
inconsequential. But I prefer to imagine we can. How?
How do you get an owner to fire himself? Conventional wisdom says by
hitting him in the pocket book. That means boycott.
The risk of going to the boycott too early is that we don't have enough
support to make it effective. There are many of us, but not enough. Not
yet. It's like shooting your biggest bullet at the beginning of the
war. We need to think a little more long term.
Before we boycott we:
1) Build awareness of our movement.
2) Build the idea that to support the 49ers fiscally is to put
money in John York's bank account.
3) Build momentum by executing a variety of tactics - rallies,
petitions, advertising, ballot measures, etc.
4) Convince York, the press, and the fan base that we are never
going away, because he is going to assume he can wait us out.
5) Then we boycott.
The more we learn about John York, the less this becomes about how many
wins and losses. My life long heartfelt support for the Niners is being
threatened by my visceral and growing revulsion for John York. We must
succeed.
Please sign up for the list serve.
Please have patience. Please have faith. These ideas came from your
interaction with this site. We believe because you believe.
I long for a day when I can pay for tickets without the sting of
putting one red cent in John York's pocket. Together we can attain the
appetite of our opinions.
December 16, 2004
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