I've been thinking about a way that Nintendo could make a lot of money, and one thing immediately jumped into my mind, but it's not something many of you would expect. Why doesn't Nintendo of America sell the Seattle Mariners? Forbes values the Mariners at around $700 million (http://www.forbes.com/teams/seattle-mariners/), but they tend to underestimate the true value of sports franchises. I could easily see the team selling for around $1 billion. I realise that the Mariners generate revenue for NoA (Forbes says it's $210 million), but I just think that selling the team would be an easy way for Nintendo to make a lot of money very fast. What do you guys think, would this be a good move for NoA?

If they earn money every year.. why would they sell ?

It's not like they need money (sony i'm looking at you :)

and what would they do with that billion dollars?

I think they were looking to sell it a little while ago, but if it's profitable right now there's not much point. It's probably a better investment right now than the console business is for them. 

Companies often keep money in things like because they are long-term investments that they can cash into during emergencies. I don't think Nintendo should give up the Mariners.

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/mariners/2013/10/01/mariners-have-more-than-doubled-franchise-value-while-losing-big/

"But they continue to rack up huge wins in the mighty pocketbook, having more than doubled franchise value since the 2008 stock market meltdown despite putting some of the worst teams in franchise history on the field. At the start of the 2009 season, Forbes assessed the Mariners at a value of $426 million — well down from a year earlier with a 101-loss season at a $117 million payroll helping cause that."

Interesting tactic. Though I'd guess if managed correctly, a pro sports team provides a good amount of cashflow -- something prized if your business faces troubled times like Nintendo has the last several years.

I wouldn't be surprised if some Microsoft execs wanted to buy the team :D

They don't need a lump sum of cash, they already have substantial cash and assets for such a small company. They do need to start consistently turning profit again though and a one off sale won't do that.

That's not how you "make" money. That's just transferring money you already have from one place to another.

I'm disappointed, I actually though you were going to say something insightful.

How will this solve in anyways the decline in 3DS and lack of interest in WiiU??? Nintendo doesn't have a cash flow problem!