Just when you thought the New York Mets could not do anything dumber, they never cease to disappoint.
The newest baffler out of flushing is that the franchise has just forged a partnership with Amway. You know, the “multilevel marketing company” known for skin cream? You know, the same company that recently paid out $150 million dollars in settlements to pyramid scheme victims? That Amway.
Well, they are about to set up a storefront outside of Citi Field. Ok, this is the same team that was ordered to pay $162 million to a victims’ fund after getting too chummy with notorious ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff. Wow! This makes perfect sense.
And you though that Bobby Bonilla and Jason Bay as the Mets’ top paid outfielders were the worst of their problems.
According to the website Capital:
[T]he cash-strapped Mets, who only recently contemplated putting a casino next to their stadium, seem to have made the calculation that whatever money they’re getting from the deal trumps any cosmetic problems that might stem from the association.
The Citi Field outpost is Amway’s first storefront in America. On Saturday, Amway staged a grand opening (or “grand opening”: it got no coverage, as far as I can tell) with the Amway sign just a few feet away from a Mets ticket booth.
Amway is a multilevel marketing opportunity, to use the euphemism, or a pyramid scheme, to use the terminology of its critics. Individuals sign up as “Independent Business Owners”, or I.B.O.s, to sell an array of Amway products, buying them up front while simultaneously recruiting others to join Amway as well.
First the team tries to open a gambling casino steps away from the stadium. Now, we have this. Although one of the Mets key sponsors, Citi, is Amway’s bank, is the Wilpon family actively looking to drive this team into the ground or is it just me?
According to the Daily News, Major League Baseball Players’ Association executive director Michael Weiner last week challenged the team to increase payroll. He said New York needs a “competitive team.” “A New York franchise in the National League is one of the flagship franchises in baseball,” Weiner continued. Funny, I don’t see him having to give this speech to other big market clubs.
What is next up in Flushing’s longest running three-ring circus? I can’t wait to see what side hustles the players going to be required to pick up to help with the team’s financial woes. Is Johan Santana going to host Tupperware parties in the clubhouse? Will I be able to buy that Derek Jeter cologne for my fiancé through my new Avon representative…David Wright? When Zack Wheeler goes to Vegas, will he have to sell knifes door-to-door before his call up.
Bobby Bonilla, whatever happens, do not accept your yearly payout in skin-care cream.
I was going to buy my six game ticket pack this week. However, once this news came out, I was pretty disconcerted and cancelled out on the idea. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
