Sports is supposed to be about winning, right? But then, it isn’t surprising to see many team owners forsaking those wins for some profit. Lack of investments and a distinct shortage of enthusiasm reduce their team’s competitiveness. So naturally, that can frustrate players trying to make it work somehow. As a result, Philadelphia Phillies’ Nick Castellanos has just shared a radical idea to punish such unambitious owners. 

Castellanos doesn’t have to complain about anything himself. His Philadelphia Phillies squad is filled with stars and the ownership has consistently shown its willingness to spend. However, one needs to look no further than the Oakland Athletics or the Los Angeles Angels to understand how a lack of proper investment that wreck a team’s standing. So when asked about his opinion on this Castellanos called for strict penalties against such losing owners.

“I would change that ownership doesn’t have any severe consequences for losing for an extended period of time,” Castellanos said. This was his answer to the question about the changes he’d make if he were a commissioner for a day. The Phillies star then went in-depth on what he meant by this. Saying that just like the players are demoted after not performing well, the ownership too should get removed due to lack of performance. 

“If their organization didn’t perform well, somebody else would have an opportunity to buy it from them,” the Philadelphia Phillies star said. “Just keep it where nobody can really own the game of baseball. Because the game is above true ownership.” Naturally, Nick Castellanos’ words were met with cheers from the fans. Despite MLB’s efforts to increase the league’s competitiveness, multiple teams have kept their payrolls below their expected levels due to profits. 

That isn’t ideal and reduces the league’s quality as a whole. Coincidentally, just before Castellanos’ interview came out, billionaire Mark Cuban too had a small jab for the Pittsburgh Pirates ownership for a similar issue.

Before Nick Castellanos’ interview, Mark Cuban had also called out the lack of ambition

It doesn’t surprise anyone that Mr. Shark Tank Mark Cuban has been trying to buy the Pittsburgh Pirates for years. The billionaire loves his hometown team but apparently, the owner Bob Nutting hasn’t relented yet. According to Miami Sports Radio Host John Linder, Cuban “loves the Pirates but the owners will NEVER sell due to their business model. They aren’t required to spend money so they never do & they make big profits every year through TV & everything else. Lost cause.” That brought out Cuban’s personal admission of the fact.

“If someone offered you a job, that paid 25m or more per year, to stand in Market Square and let the entire city of Pittsburgh yell at you, would take that job? That job is owning the Pirates. Why would they sell?” Cuban said on his X account. The billionaire’s words reflect the sentiments within the larger Pirates fanbase. Ever since Nutting bought the Pirates in 2007, their payroll has been nearer to the bottom than to the top. In fact, even during their playoff years the team never went above 23rd in payroll.

As of now, despite having the electrifying arm of Paul Skenes, the Pirates are last in the NL Central. With a 62-71 record, they’re pretty much out of the playoff race unless some miracle occurs. Perhaps that’s why Nick Castellanos and Mark Cuban have an issue with unambitious owners. It hurts to see talented players’ amazing seasons wither away due to lack of proper investment, doesn’t it? Share what you think in the comments below.