George Gillett on Canadian TV

[Whitey]

Thought I'd share this with you - George Gillet was just interviewed at 2nd interval of the Habs (Montreal Canadienes) vs. NY Rangers game over here in Canada. I had to rush to set the DVR, but got most of it.

 

Sadly, there was nothing specific to LFC, but thought I'd share anyway, as I guess it's rare we see or hear that much from George, and this was very personal and didn't seem set up at all (the interviews within the Hockey games rarely are) so you tend to get straight answers.

 

 

Here's the gist of what I saw & heard:

 

- He was interviewed by Ron McLean, who is generally not afraid to call people out, but was very nice and thankful to Gillett for what he's done with Montreal. He was there with his wife Rose.

 

- Has a Marketing background with the Dolphins, and also the Harlem Globetrotters!! (yeah I know the older ones of you are humming their tune right now)

 

- When asked about his time with Montreal it was mentioned he was very careful not to tell a near 100 year old franchise what to do.

"It is about the fans and respecting the tradition....and the more we respect and understand that tradition the better we do....it's also about kids, it's about bringing new people to the game"

- "The age at which kids make up their mind how they spend their recreation time is 5th grade, so they gave every kid in the Montreal area in the 5th grade at least one free ticket to one Montreal Canadiens game. They brought their friends, families and as a result they have seen a major transition in the typs of fans they have and they're proud of that."

- Back to the Harlem Globetrotters, George was asked what the secret of a good 'product' is- he told a story about when his Father was raising him. His Father coming home from work (his Dad was a Doctor) and he sat down with a glass of Jack Daniels (he normally didn't drink), and 'boy' George said to him, "Dad is something bothering you? And he said yup George, I watched an awful lot of people come through my office today and I'm not sure how many of them are really happy. If you have a choice in life, try and go into a business or profession where you put smiles on peoples faces. And we've had that privilege."

 

- He also was asked getting through the ups and downs in other businesses like his skiing business in Vale - he said it's all about value.

" These fans, as long as we give them a great product on the ice, and give them good value at the concession stands they'll be happy. When we came to Montreal we made a commitment that we were going to drop the price on at least 10% of our seats every year, and we've done that. We have a family zone, where you can have 4 tickets and 4 meals, 4 drinks for $100. We also have a Molson X zone, up high where you can see any game for $23 or less. And those are thousands of seats."

 

The commentator said he plays beer league hockey with a friend who went to the last Montreal game in Toronto, and was walking down the street and a Limo stopped by him, rolled down the window - and it was George Gillett and he thanked him for wearing his Montreal Canadienes Jersey.

 

Gillett looked a bit embarassed, but said thanks and seemed very genuine. He took the opportunity to thank all the Habs (Canadienes) fans all over the country.

 

 

 

 

 

Bottom line for me... he came across as a guy with Marketing/Business ideas, but obviously very genuine. When he was asked tough questions on the Hockey front, he openly said if it was not something he'd thought about. Of course he has his business lense on things, but you could see he is a fan, and seemed a genuine guy.

I just wish I had known he was coming on - because I think there is a way to send in questions and I could have got them to ask about us!!!!

 

 

 

MODS: If there is a more appropriate place for this, please put it there!

[paisley1977]

If you have a choice in life, try and go into a business or profession where you put smiles on peoples faces. And we've had that privilege."

 

Well we aren't smiling George.

[Maldini]

Gillett seems like a nice man, but his silence during all of this makes him as culpable as Hicks in my mind. He needs to do something and he needs to do it quick.

[MFletcher]

I'll be honest and say that I still harbour some hope for Gillett coming through this.

 

He's always seemed like a genuinely decent bloke.

 

The problem with that is that he did attend the Klinsmann meeting.

 

Short term, a move to get rid of Hicks would be in our interests.

[Mike]

I'll be honest and say that I still harbour some hope for Gillett coming through this.

 

He's always seemed like a genuinely decent bloke.

 

The problem with that is that he did attend the Klinsmann meeting.

 

Short term, a move to get rid of Hicks would be in our interests.

 

having a meeting with klinsmann means nothing, in fact, as savvy owners, such behaviour is to be encouraged.it getting into the public doman and the subsequent incident of hicks going public was the no no.

i too harbour a hope for gillet mind.

[Archangel]

Unless he publicly speaks out about the mess and the refinancing shenanigans he is still equally culpable

 

I dont like what this pair have done to my club, I'm happy to given them a chance to prove they have the clubs interest at heart but they have not started well

 

I'm not taken in by a few smiles and humble platitudes, Hicks gets the abuse because he's obviously a straight talker, Gillett I'm not so sure of

[Zoob]

Gillett seems like a nice man, but his silence during all of this makes him as culpable as Hicks in my mind. He needs to do something and he needs to do it quick.

 

 

To an extent, his silence makes him guilty of complicity . At the same time - and assuming that the reports of him not being happy with Hicks are correct - perhaps he is just aware that in the business world, publically critisising your business partner via the press is a bit of a no-no. Possibly his silence is about maintaining dignity and trying to distance himself from Hicks in what ever way is most feasable at this point.

 

I'm sure at some point we'll hear his side of things, and I imagine it will be fairly frank and interesting.

[fyds]

Equally, his silence is more in keeping with the 'Liverpool way' it's actions that speak louder than words and if he helps oust Hicks which seems to be the case...all the bits we keep hearing put him more in the camp of the angels than devils.

Edited February 4, 2008 by fyds

[Rich Gobey]

He's a much better politician than Hicks.

 

And we all love and trust politicians.

[jimmylibel]

having a meeting with klinsmann means nothing, in fact, as savvy owners, such behaviour is to be encouraged.it getting into the public doman and the subsequent incident of hicks going public was the no no.

i too harbour a hope for gillet mind.

 

If you'd named a top quality manager I'd agree with you, but Klinsmann???

[Lanus]

I've always thought that our problem isnt both americans but is infact Hicks. I don't have loads of evidence to say that he is the right man for us , however i've not seen him step out of line either. As for saying that he is to blame as much for what's happened as Hicks is for not coming out and saying it, i just don;t agree with that. it is coming out and saying things that has gotten us where we are now. Gillett seems to be running the club the way we would want... Having said that, maybe he also wanted Rafa out.. I doubt it though since Gillett now refuses to sign off on Hicks press releases, tells me maybe Hicks should have been speaking for himself.

 

I think that our protests should not be 'yanks out' but Hicks out.

[Lanus]

Unless he publicly speaks out about the mess and the refinancing shenanigans he is still equally culpable

 

So, coming out publicly and further destabalising the club is what we want? If we were owned by Gillett only, we'd be in a far better position now. Maybe Gillett would still get rid of Rafa (laods would agree with that now, im not one of them) but Gillett has at least done most of his business behind closed doors. From what I've heard from the Montreal Canadians fans, he seems to be a decent owner.

[Falconhoof]

Its a bit weird all this patting Gillet on the back for keeping quiet and helping to oust Hicks. Gillet is the muppet who brought Hicks into the club in the first place.

If we were owned by Gillet only ? What would Gillet give us as an owner ? Pull any fan off the street and they'd have exactly the same contribution....no cash, no understanding of how to run this club.

He couldn't do the deal alone, needed Hicks' backing we were told. Which begs the question, what was Hicks bringing to the table that we have benefitted from ? It wasn't cash, it wasn't expertise in stadium building as we've already witnessed the farce of his stadium plans and subsequent downgrading.

 

The pair of them are no good to us and Hicks out will only be one step along the way. Don't be going soft on them now.

[Lanus]

Its a bit weird all this patting Gillet on the back for keeping quiet and helping to oust Hicks. Gillet is the muppet who brought Hicks into the club in the first place.

If we were owned by Gillet only ? What would Gillet give us as an owner ? Pull any fan off the street and they'd have exactly the same contribution....no cash, no understanding of how to run this club.

He couldn't do the deal alone, needed Hicks' backing we were told. Which begs the question, what was Hicks bringing to the table that we have benefitted from ? It wasn't cash, it wasn't expertise in stadium building as we've already witnessed the farce of his stadium plans and subsequent downgrading.

 

The pair of them are no good to us and Hicks out will only be one step along the way. Don't be going soft on them now.

 

what would Gillett give us as an owner? Not mouthing off about replacing Rafa to the press. That counts for a lot. I'm not as bothered by others of their 'lies' ... the world market has drastically changed and unfortunately their plans were ripped up.. however, it is Hick's methods that have enraged me. Ok, I am also unhappy at their lack of investment but my point is that keeping a professional air about the way you do your business is very important. that gimp Hicks is largely to blame for our poor run of form.

 

also , Im not going soft on them. I just think Gillett is possibly being tarred by the same brush. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe he's a total c*** but I wont say so until I see him step out of line, himself.

Edited February 4, 2008 by Lanus

[Guest Ant]

There is alot to come out from Gillett, wether he will decide to come out and say his piece may well change alot of people opinion on him.

[Skillz]

There is alot to come out from Gillett, wether he will decide to come out and say his piece may well change alot of people opinion on him.

 

 

Agree with this. To me getting Hicks out is the most important thing this club faces now and for a long time. Gillett may have brought him on board but if Hicks is to go I suspect Gillett has probably played a major role in that.

[fabfive]

Wasn't it Gillett, or Foster Gillett the "soccer fan", who knew Klinsmann?

[Guz]

Gillett seems like a nice man, but his silence during all of this makes him as culpable as Hicks in my mind. He needs to do something and he needs to do it quick.

 

Silence doesn't really bother me.

 

Gillet and Klinsmann were pals. Klinsmann, Gillet and Hicks meet in October/November and offer the German the Liverpool job. End of for me. There is absolutely no way that would've been done without the blessing of of both owners. Just because it was only Hicks who announced it doesn't make Gillet innocent in any of this. Just makes him more sly and secretive. Does us a favour George and f*** off with yer mate Tom.