Ashkan Karbasfrooshan

Tehran-born Canadian Freeing Iran | Running out of ideas @WatchMojo since 2006 | Restoring @Montreal_Expos

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

I like to stay busy, but here to serve! If I can assist, lmk!

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

https://t.co/fUQr8Xfy6l

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

https://t.co/6ya2oXTyCR

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

I’ve got one foot out the door wrt @cfmontreal as despite my stamina, resilience, persistence etc., I’m human and have a lot going on… and don’t need a new cycle of naysayers and hate.

So let me spell it out:

Because I had reached out to so many investors at the onset of the Peanut Project and many said:

“@Montreal_Expos are nice, when @MLB opens up the process, let us know… but bring us something more imminent,”

Following Mr Saputo’s press conference,
I went parabolic and followed up with 100+ parties in the past 48 hours and more or less have things set up.

We are talking ~ 10 people (anchor / principal investors, but admittedly 8 are global). I concede I’d need to vet them to avoid a Jeffrey Loria situation but most love @Montreal so doubt that’ll be an issue.

We can submit when BMO and BNC start the process…

Real issue is: flashback to 2018. Who’s running operations?

[FWIW: the Expos bid is ready to go, I’m choosing the tiles for the museum and bidets for the school of entrepreneurship at this point].

Back to CF: Not saying our bid would prevail, but until I sign an NDA, I’ve concluded that a sale to an American investor wanting to move them isn’t fait accompli, but more likely than a Canadian one.

However, this means spending a month getting to know global investors who may not be as committed to Montreal as much as I’d like.

I don’t think GroupCH (or anyone) will be able to justify the price of CF as a stand-alone sports franchise despite whatever synergies you think of. This is why Montreal’s great founding families have stood the test of time.

Like it or not skeptics, you need a “companion,” business, and that’s a media business. The Disney/Fox/Universal’s of tomorrow will be Lakers Media, Yankees Entertainment, etc.

Unlike the JFL process from 2018 where le Groupe CH prevailed with ICM, but then didn’t embrace global, digital and programming, ideally, this time we’d partner… with

:: them leading Sports Ops, and
:: us leading Media Ops.

I shared the vision yesterday which led to an influx of inbound interest by bankers.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

When the process starts, I would not be able to say this, publicly, so in the spirit of keeping YOUR futbol club in town… I’m willing to switch from “catalyst” mode to “instigator.”

With the best of intentions,

Sincerely,

Ashkan

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

How @WatchMojo almost acquired @justforlaughs @Juste_pour_rire but it wasn't meant to be. An oldie but goodie. This may shed some light on the method to my madness wrt @cfmontreal and "inducing" others to step up. Ideally, this time, the "parties" each play to their strengths, collaborate, and secure the future of the @MLS franchise in Montreal. Do you "get it?"

https://t.co/rajmvksJPQ

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@alexgazaille514 @cfmontreal https://t.co/z9neicI7T4

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

I’ve got one foot out the door wrt @cfmontreal as despite my stamina, resilience, persistence etc., I’m human and have a lot going on… and don’t need a new cycle of naysayers and hate.

So let me spell it out:

Because I had reached out to so many investors at the onset of the Peanut Project and many said:

“@Montreal_Expos are nice, when @MLB opens up the process, let us know… but bring us something more imminent,”

Following Mr Saputo’s press conference,
I went parabolic and followed up with 100+ parties in the past 48 hours and more or less have things set up.

We are talking ~ 10 people (anchor / principal investors, but admittedly 8 are global). I concede I’d need to vet them to avoid a Jeffrey Loria situation but most love @Montreal so doubt that’ll be an issue.

We can submit when BMO and BNC start the process…

Real issue is: flashback to 2018. Who’s running operations?

[FWIW: the Expos bid is ready to go, I’m choosing the tiles for the museum and bidets for the school of entrepreneurship at this point].

Back to CF: Not saying our bid would prevail, but until I sign an NDA, I’ve concluded that a sale to an American investor wanting to move them isn’t fait accompli, but more likely than a Canadian one.

However, this means spending a month getting to know global investors who may not be as committed to Montreal as much as I’d like.

I don’t think GroupCH (or anyone) will be able to justify the price of CF as a stand-alone sports franchise despite whatever synergies you think of. This is why Montreal’s great founding families have stood the test of time.

Like it or not skeptics, you need a “companion,” business, and that’s a media business. The Disney/Fox/Universal’s of tomorrow will be Lakers Media, Yankees Entertainment, etc.

Unlike the JFL process from 2018 where le Groupe CH prevailed with ICM, but then didn’t embrace global, digital and programming, ideally, this time we’d partner… with

:: them leading Sports Ops, and
:: us leading Media Ops.

I shared the vision yesterday which led to an influx of inbound interest by bankers.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

When the process starts, I would not be able to say this, publicly, so in the spirit of keeping YOUR futbol club in town… I’m willing to switch from “catalyst” mode to “instigator.”

With the best of intentions,

Sincerely,

Ashkan

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

I think I identified the perfect anchor investor for @cfmontreal - dear fans, pray if you want someone who’s a big soccer fan, connected to Montreal and for whom it would be the crowning achievement and a rounding error.

Message fired at 1708 Montreal time.

And the sooner I can wrap up the Hat Trick dossier, the sooner I’m out of the fans’ cross hair.

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@JustinFerland5 https://t.co/z9neicHA3w

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

I’ve got one foot out the door wrt @cfmontreal as despite my stamina, resilience, persistence etc., I’m human and have a lot going on… and don’t need a new cycle of naysayers and hate.

So let me spell it out:

Because I had reached out to so many investors at the onset of the Peanut Project and many said:

“@Montreal_Expos are nice, when @MLB opens up the process, let us know… but bring us something more imminent,”

Following Mr Saputo’s press conference,
I went parabolic and followed up with 100+ parties in the past 48 hours and more or less have things set up.

We are talking ~ 10 people (anchor / principal investors, but admittedly 8 are global). I concede I’d need to vet them to avoid a Jeffrey Loria situation but most love @Montreal so doubt that’ll be an issue.

We can submit when BMO and BNC start the process…

Real issue is: flashback to 2018. Who’s running operations?

[FWIW: the Expos bid is ready to go, I’m choosing the tiles for the museum and bidets for the school of entrepreneurship at this point].

Back to CF: Not saying our bid would prevail, but until I sign an NDA, I’ve concluded that a sale to an American investor wanting to move them isn’t fait accompli, but more likely than a Canadian one.

However, this means spending a month getting to know global investors who may not be as committed to Montreal as much as I’d like.

I don’t think GroupCH (or anyone) will be able to justify the price of CF as a stand-alone sports franchise despite whatever synergies you think of. This is why Montreal’s great founding families have stood the test of time.

Like it or not skeptics, you need a “companion,” business, and that’s a media business. The Disney/Fox/Universal’s of tomorrow will be Lakers Media, Yankees Entertainment, etc.

Unlike the JFL process from 2018 where le Groupe CH prevailed with ICM, but then didn’t embrace global, digital and programming, ideally, this time we’d partner… with

:: them leading Sports Ops, and
:: us leading Media Ops.

I shared the vision yesterday which led to an influx of inbound interest by bankers.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

When the process starts, I would not be able to say this, publicly, so in the spirit of keeping YOUR futbol club in town… I’m willing to switch from “catalyst” mode to “instigator.”

With the best of intentions,

Sincerely,

Ashkan

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@MattPaquet62 @MtlShantk @markzalass https://t.co/z9neicI7T4

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

I’ve got one foot out the door wrt @cfmontreal as despite my stamina, resilience, persistence etc., I’m human and have a lot going on… and don’t need a new cycle of naysayers and hate.

So let me spell it out:

Because I had reached out to so many investors at the onset of the Peanut Project and many said:

“@Montreal_Expos are nice, when @MLB opens up the process, let us know… but bring us something more imminent,”

Following Mr Saputo’s press conference,
I went parabolic and followed up with 100+ parties in the past 48 hours and more or less have things set up.

We are talking ~ 10 people (anchor / principal investors, but admittedly 8 are global). I concede I’d need to vet them to avoid a Jeffrey Loria situation but most love @Montreal so doubt that’ll be an issue.

We can submit when BMO and BNC start the process…

Real issue is: flashback to 2018. Who’s running operations?

[FWIW: the Expos bid is ready to go, I’m choosing the tiles for the museum and bidets for the school of entrepreneurship at this point].

Back to CF: Not saying our bid would prevail, but until I sign an NDA, I’ve concluded that a sale to an American investor wanting to move them isn’t fait accompli, but more likely than a Canadian one.

However, this means spending a month getting to know global investors who may not be as committed to Montreal as much as I’d like.

I don’t think GroupCH (or anyone) will be able to justify the price of CF as a stand-alone sports franchise despite whatever synergies you think of. This is why Montreal’s great founding families have stood the test of time.

Like it or not skeptics, you need a “companion,” business, and that’s a media business. The Disney/Fox/Universal’s of tomorrow will be Lakers Media, Yankees Entertainment, etc.

Unlike the JFL process from 2018 where le Groupe CH prevailed with ICM, but then didn’t embrace global, digital and programming, ideally, this time we’d partner… with

:: them leading Sports Ops, and
:: us leading Media Ops.

I shared the vision yesterday which led to an influx of inbound interest by bankers.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

When the process starts, I would not be able to say this, publicly, so in the spirit of keeping YOUR futbol club in town… I’m willing to switch from “catalyst” mode to “instigator.”

With the best of intentions,

Sincerely,

Ashkan

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@JulieGa31396321 https://t.co/z9neicHA3w

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

I’ve got one foot out the door wrt @cfmontreal as despite my stamina, resilience, persistence etc., I’m human and have a lot going on… and don’t need a new cycle of naysayers and hate.

So let me spell it out:

Because I had reached out to so many investors at the onset of the Peanut Project and many said:

“@Montreal_Expos are nice, when @MLB opens up the process, let us know… but bring us something more imminent,”

Following Mr Saputo’s press conference,
I went parabolic and followed up with 100+ parties in the past 48 hours and more or less have things set up.

We are talking ~ 10 people (anchor / principal investors, but admittedly 8 are global). I concede I’d need to vet them to avoid a Jeffrey Loria situation but most love @Montreal so doubt that’ll be an issue.

We can submit when BMO and BNC start the process…

Real issue is: flashback to 2018. Who’s running operations?

[FWIW: the Expos bid is ready to go, I’m choosing the tiles for the museum and bidets for the school of entrepreneurship at this point].

Back to CF: Not saying our bid would prevail, but until I sign an NDA, I’ve concluded that a sale to an American investor wanting to move them isn’t fait accompli, but more likely than a Canadian one.

However, this means spending a month getting to know global investors who may not be as committed to Montreal as much as I’d like.

I don’t think GroupCH (or anyone) will be able to justify the price of CF as a stand-alone sports franchise despite whatever synergies you think of. This is why Montreal’s great founding families have stood the test of time.

Like it or not skeptics, you need a “companion,” business, and that’s a media business. The Disney/Fox/Universal’s of tomorrow will be Lakers Media, Yankees Entertainment, etc.

Unlike the JFL process from 2018 where le Groupe CH prevailed with ICM, but then didn’t embrace global, digital and programming, ideally, this time we’d partner… with

:: them leading Sports Ops, and
:: us leading Media Ops.

I shared the vision yesterday which led to an influx of inbound interest by bankers.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

When the process starts, I would not be able to say this, publicly, so in the spirit of keeping YOUR futbol club in town… I’m willing to switch from “catalyst” mode to “instigator.”

With the best of intentions,

Sincerely,

Ashkan

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@FanMontanaro https://t.co/z9neicI7T4

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

I’ve got one foot out the door wrt @cfmontreal as despite my stamina, resilience, persistence etc., I’m human and have a lot going on… and don’t need a new cycle of naysayers and hate.

So let me spell it out:

Because I had reached out to so many investors at the onset of the Peanut Project and many said:

“@Montreal_Expos are nice, when @MLB opens up the process, let us know… but bring us something more imminent,”

Following Mr Saputo’s press conference,
I went parabolic and followed up with 100+ parties in the past 48 hours and more or less have things set up.

We are talking ~ 10 people (anchor / principal investors, but admittedly 8 are global). I concede I’d need to vet them to avoid a Jeffrey Loria situation but most love @Montreal so doubt that’ll be an issue.

We can submit when BMO and BNC start the process…

Real issue is: flashback to 2018. Who’s running operations?

[FWIW: the Expos bid is ready to go, I’m choosing the tiles for the museum and bidets for the school of entrepreneurship at this point].

Back to CF: Not saying our bid would prevail, but until I sign an NDA, I’ve concluded that a sale to an American investor wanting to move them isn’t fait accompli, but more likely than a Canadian one.

However, this means spending a month getting to know global investors who may not be as committed to Montreal as much as I’d like.

I don’t think GroupCH (or anyone) will be able to justify the price of CF as a stand-alone sports franchise despite whatever synergies you think of. This is why Montreal’s great founding families have stood the test of time.

Like it or not skeptics, you need a “companion,” business, and that’s a media business. The Disney/Fox/Universal’s of tomorrow will be Lakers Media, Yankees Entertainment, etc.

Unlike the JFL process from 2018 where le Groupe CH prevailed with ICM, but then didn’t embrace global, digital and programming, ideally, this time we’d partner… with

:: them leading Sports Ops, and
:: us leading Media Ops.

I shared the vision yesterday which led to an influx of inbound interest by bankers.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

When the process starts, I would not be able to say this, publicly, so in the spirit of keeping YOUR futbol club in town… I’m willing to switch from “catalyst” mode to “instigator.”

With the best of intentions,

Sincerely,

Ashkan

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@Twenty9United @cfmontreal Areh digeh dâdâsh, this was the REAL reason :) - folks, this is a joke… une blague.

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

How @WatchMojo almost acquired @justforlaughs @Juste_pour_rire but it wasn't meant to be. An oldie but goodie. This may shed some light on the method to my madness wrt @cfmontreal and "inducing" others to step up. Ideally, this time, the "parties" each play to their strengths, collaborate, and secure the future of the @MLS franchise in Montreal. Do you "get it?"

https://t.co/rajmvksJPQ

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@JulieGa31396321 https://t.co/Xhmw2MKmz5

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@Brian_Beaudoin @cfmontreal Either/or. I will play any part. Issue is people have their own pride/ego/insecurities (we all do), but if I am called to play any role... happy to do it. AND, "J Peterman," the Peanut Project's liaison with the league, put me through a colonoscopy before repping us :)

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

Si vous permettez en anglais: presume you didn't follow the Peanut Project where despite none of the usual suspects doing anything, people still said "ça prend un quiconque." Same deal here. Montreal mindset. All good. We will try. We will never surrender. And if they leave, at least someone tried.

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@lesimlam @ANTHONYREALTIES @cfmontreal https://t.co/U8LzYZfqQZ

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@MattPaquet62 @MtlShantk @markzalass Echoes of the Peanut Project day 10 or so. Just watch mon ami. You're not the target audience.

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@ANTHONYREALTIES @lesimlam @cfmontreal They made it clear sports wasn’t a priority.

He made it clear he wasn’t gonna help.

Stop believing in false prophets.

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

It's fine. To be fair, it's akin to those who say "we are private" yet own sports clubs, which are fundamentally CIVIC properties... so if I "build in public" - some of it is fair. I just prefer if it's skepticism > cynicism, and encouraging me to solve the problem > bad faith. But, all good. Not about me. Merci Boubou :)

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@agneaublesse Old

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

Re the screen grab below, no idea where it was posted, but so I can share this later as it will come up for the illiterate & blind/deaf who missed it before:

I disclosed all this to avoid these asinine comments here:
https://t.co/xn4MWuuOBr

No BILLIONAIRE became a billionaire by paying $500M for an asset losing $7M/year. It takes an agent, an architect and investment banker to CONNECT the right ASSET with the right BUYER.

It also takes the proper vision & pro-forma model, one example was explained in painstaking detail here:
https://t.co/S0Y5Ih3zzf

And, no investment banker pursues something if they feel there's no transaction.

Criticize me all you want, I just ask that you spare Geoff Molson @GMolsonCHC this vitriol who is widely respected and revered as owner of the @CanadiensMTL but who will think thrice before hearing the following from @cfmontreal fans. An oldie, but goodie... cue to 0:50

[Mark Zalass @markzalass]

@MtlShantk @ashkan

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

@RebelofTorkzvo @cfmontreal @MLS @Apple @AppleTV Not blaming apple. At all.
Not even blaming MLS.
Just a reflection of market dynamics.
View me as an analyst that tries to be objective to make sense of the opportunity to then serve as an investment banker connecting the right buyer here.

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

Yesterday, I explained why @cfmontreal represents a very challenging “opportunity.”

Between @MLS’s abysmal deal with @Apple and @AppleTV, the league’s closed-loop ecosystem, and its underlying business model, no cautious, prudent investor could justify paying anything near—let alone above—the US$430M valuation cited by @Forbes for a franchise reportedly losing $7M annually.

Now, thankfully, I happen to enjoy solving YUGE challenges and problems.

I outlined how a SPORTS + MEDIA business model could deliver the kind of one-two punch—or “brace,” in soccer parlance—needed to make the investment compelling.

I also said, “We won’t discuss stadium issues, as this post is already long enough.”

Well, here we go.

I’m now turning my attention to land, stadium economics, the club’s arrangements with the Olympic Stadium and Stade Saputo, and the implications of MLS shifting its calendar from summer to winter.

But a few weeks ago, sensing that Mr. Saputo might eventually consider launching a sale process, I asked my digital aide, Chassie, to explore the club’s stadium options.

(Yes, I call my AI assistant Chassie. This disclosure is mainly intended to trigger the CF Montréal fans who seem convinced I’m easily offended.)

So let's hear it: AI SLOP! GRIFTER! FRAUD!

Bring it.

My instinct is that CF Montréal faces a serious strategic disadvantage: a lack of LEVERAGE.

Why? Because the impending calendar shift from summer to winter is a ticking time bomb for a club playing in an open-air stadium in Montréal.

That potentially weakens its negotiating position with the Olympic Stadium and other stakeholders.

And in business, when you lack leverage, your options become limited—and expensive.

So, before I go back to my informal stadium advisor, Art Vandelay (aka Earl Santee of @Populous, who has been gracious and generous enough to offer guidance on the @Montreal_Expos’ proposed stadium), I’ll leave you with this little thought experiment.

What if CF Montréal had another option?

Again, I’m not suggesting that any sane person would necessarily pursue this. Nor am I pretending that an AI-generated architectural concept constitutes an engineering feasibility study.

What I am saying is that the club NEEDS leverage when negotiating with the Olympic Stadium.

And, well…

PEPSC at Carrie-Derick does have an awful lot of space.

Just saying.

⚾⚽

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

https://t.co/6ya2oXTyCR

[Ashkan Karbasfrooshan @ashkan]

Doh! https://t.co/FG4TdA9DPA