Scandal fallout

[Jonosuke]

Actually the Kyokai is hearing from the local promoters of Natsu and Aki jungyo that they have no hope of ever breaking even but they are going ahead with them anyway because it is simply too late. The venues have been booked, posters and programs have been printed and other shop operators engaged. So theoretically they still can cancel them now but in all intents and purposes they would take a bloodbath if they do. At least if they hold them, they can reclaim some of the costs.

Winter jungyo is so ahead that local promoters have not committed to anything so they still can cancel them without incurring any financial damage. NHK had a news segment a while back with a long time Fujisawa jungyo promoter (one of the few who constantly turns a profit) and he said he was really not even certain whether he would hold one next year.

Some local promoters tend to lose money from time to time but the Kyokai always makes a good chunk of money from jungyo tours and without these tours they would really have to curtail some activities or even raise hon basho ticket prices if they need to cancel jungyo for an extended period of time. As well for many heya it is a good opportunity to seek more supporters from remote areas they rarely visit. Ozumo will also get good exposure in areas they normally don't at all.

Many oyakata find their next generation of recruits from these tours so in that sense it is indispensable for long term viability of Ozumo as a going concern. Some believe Ozumo will have half as many number of rikishi as the present in five or so years from now and certainly more foreign born rikishi in sekitori ranks. Finding a local recruit is essential to the long time future of heya and Ozumo as recruits bring in fans from all regions of Japan and send local goods to the heya as well as support the heya financially. At the moment no foreign born rikishi is helping their heya or Ozumo in this way. These funds and shipments help sustain the heya's viability and in turn Ozumo. Without strong and sustainable local support from all over Japan, the future of Ozumo is indeed bleak, less interest locally will translate into less interest in Ozumo nationally and less interest nationally will eventually stop even the coverage by major media including national dailies and NHK. That will turn Ozumo into a fringe without any major corporate sponsors and special designation from the government.

Edited July 25, 2010 by Jonosuke

[Asashosakari]

... the Kyokai always makes a good chunk of money from jungyo tours and without these tours they would really have to curtail some activities or even raise hon basho ticket prices if they need to cancel jungyo for an extended period of time.

Last I saw the Kyokai was earning less than 5% of its annual revenues on jungyo. That's a drop in the bucket compared to the potential issues with their TV contract.

[Otokonoyama]

It looks like the J-press is also under the impression that jungyo mean big bucks for sumo...

In yet another severe blow to sumo, the scandal-hit ancient sport will have to skip this winter's training tour as all potential organizers have refused to host the tour, Kyodo News learned Saturday.

It is the first time since the winter of 2005 that sumo wrestlers will not have a whole seasonal tour, one of sumo's two biggest revenue streams along with regular tournaments.

"I have to say we're unlikely to have a winter tour this time. Things are moving in that direction," said Hanaregoma, a senior Japan Sumo Association official who is in charge of training tours.

"Without doubt, we've felt the effects of our problems. I feel a great deal of responsibility because of my post," he said.

Traditionally, sumo wrestlers tour mostly the countryside of Japan four times a year, the spring, summer, fall and winter.

The winter tour is usually held in the Kyushu region after the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in November.

JSA officials were looking at about four places, including Fukuoka and Okinawa prefectures, for this winter's tour.

But all those places have said they do not want to host the tour at a time when sumo is facing problems with illegal gambling and alleged connections with gangsters, the officials said.

"The autumn training tour (in October) will be held as scheduled, but I've received a growing number of complaints from actual and potential organizers of that autumn tour," Hanaregoma said.

"I'm afraid that the effects of the scandals might last into next year," the former ozeki Kaiketsu continued.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/sports/news...0sp026000c.html

[Asashosakari]

It looks like the J-press is also under the impression that jungyo mean big bucks for sumo...

For sumo overall perhaps yes, I have no idea how big the Kyokai's cut is.

Luckily I've been posting those boring end-of-year business figures for the last five years... Kyokai jungyo revenues:

2009: 280 million yen

2008: 490 million yen

2007: 435 million yen

2006: 240 million yen

2005: 140 million yen

2004: 230 million yen

Overall operating revenues typically hover around the 10 billion yen mark, the major parts being some 5 billion yen in honbasho ticket sales (I think) and some 3 billion yen from the NHK TV contract. In other words, just by foregoing their Nagoya broadcast fee they're taking a bigger bath than if every single jungyo was cancelled.

[Peterao]

Overall operating revenues typically hover around the 10 billion yen mark, the major parts being some 5 billion yen in honbasho ticket sales (I think) and some 3 billion yen from the NHK TV contract. In other words, just by foregoing their Nagoya broadcast fee they're taking a bigger bath than if every single jungyo was cancelled.

Which makes sense, as 90 days of honbasho have got to outnumber the total number of jungyo days in a year even during the Waka/Taka boom period.

Edited July 25, 2010 by Otokonoyama
remove extra quote tag

[Otokonoyama]

Over on the Japan Subculture website, a bit I missed earlier:

At the end of the second day of the tournament, a 62-year-old man from Aichi Prefecture who was wearing black sunglasses was exciting the arena when a fellow fan mumbled,

[Otokonoyama]

Attendance at Nagoya tourney down around 10%

The number of spectators at the just-concluded Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament totaled 94,900, down 9,400 from the previous year, the Japan Sumo Association said Sunday. All 15 days saw year-on-year declines in attendance as an apparent result of a scandal engulfing the sport that has exposed illegal gambling and alleged ties with gangsters.

Sell-out crowds filled the 8,100-capacity Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium for only four days of the 15-day meet

[Jonosuke]

More fallout from the Nagoya Basho.

The Sumo Annaisho Union (representing those shop that sell you tickets and souvenirs) is asking the Kyokai to make a financial settlement to the four shops at Nagoya Basho as they suffered huge financial loss.

They are saying they got stuck with foods and lunch boxes they pre-ordered and unsold souvenir items. They report their total revenue is over 30% less than that of the last year.

Director of the Nagoya Basho,Nishonoseki oyakata received the request from the union representative and showed the Kyokai's willingness to help out the shop owners and compensate for the loss. "We are prepared to hear their story and compensate for any losses they incurred," the oyakata said. The owners of shops are often former Kyokai members such as gyoji or yobidashi or their relations. The Kyokai will need their presence to serve their long time customers and they cannot afford to have them go under.

"Obviously we will be refunding for any tickets they could not sell or returned to them." the oyakata added.

[Peterao]

Advance ticket sales for Aki Basho started Saturday. On that day, 962 people purchased tickets at the madoguchi. The number for the first day of last year's Aki Basho sales was 1698, making for a drop of about 40%.

[Kotoviki]

Advance ticket sales for Aki Basho started Saturday. On that day, 962 people purchased tickets at the madoguchi. The number for the first day of last year's Aki Basho sales was 1698, making for a drop of about 40%.

It could also be that more people are using the Pia online ticket service which means they don't need to stand in line all night Thursday to get a number and come back Saturday to buy tickets. The only real reason to go to the window is to get tamari tickets or the 15 day booklets (which again this basho the 2nd time my friends didn't get after lining up 2 hours earlier than May.... ) Other tickets can be purchased easier by internet or pia outlets. The only advantage of going to the box office for other tickets is to pick the seat number you want. I gave up going to the window when I realized it was easier to do it online (in my pajamas!)

[Jonosuke]

I doubt people woke up all of sudden to go buy the tickets on line or go to JR's Midori No Madoguch or Lawson. The advance ticket sales follow the trend established in the last basho and it will take a bit of time to have the people coming back to see Ozumo again.

The Kyokai has not announced any plan for refund and if they don't even come close to sell out the place, why hurry as there are so much time to get the tickets later on. Just like always the weekend tickets will sell out or close to sell out as the basho gets closer and the people get more interested.

Aside from the obvious reason, it's been incredible hot and humid in Tokyo so why kill yourself lining up in front of pretty much deserted Kokugikan. Right about now we all can find cooler places for that kind of strenuous activity. Might as well go for 250 Yen Yoshinoya Gyudon, better use of money and time.

[Kotoviki]

I don't know, I woke up one day late last year and realized it was easier to buy on-line... (Weeping...)

I would also like to add the slack in sales started before the gambling scandal with Asa's retirement.... just from my own observations of buying 15 days of tickets for all but Fukuoka, I've been watching sales every year for every basho.... I always buy my weekend tickets and last Thursday and Friday tickets on the first day of ticket sales, and watch other dates.

[Otokonoyama]

Sumo association to set up 'mob-cams' at Kokugikan

The Japan Sumo Association will set up