On one hand, he said, public ownership enforces financial discipline and makes it easier for owners to sell stock.

"I felt it was important that new ownership make their own decisions on the future of the Garden," said Gutkowski, who is 46 years old.

Personal ownership of a business made one vulnerable.

But they believe that private ownership and improvements in Russian agriculture will sooner or later make production more efficient.

Somehow, the new ownership made it through the season and vowed to carry on.

Still, ownership by 55 million Americans makes savings bonds the most widely held security.

"The ownership has obviously made a serious effort to get back to winning ways and it's exciting to be a part of it."

But ownership has made it clear that the team's success or failure will be Phillips's responsibility.

"How in the world will British ownership make things better?"

In addition, public ownership would make both the closed shop and the right to strike unlawful.