NEW YORK – There are four important lessons to learn from Rhode Island’s 38 Studios disaster, according to Fortune Magazine Senior Editor Dan Primack.
In order to prevent the next 38 Studios, Primack says politicians need to stop playing at being venture capitalists.
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“Most professional venture capitalists lose money, so why would amateurs in political office do any better?” asked Primack in his article “4 lessons from Curt Schilling’s 38 Studios fiasco.”
If politicians insist on pretending to be venture capitalists, then they should share in the risk, said Primack, adding that “the most egregious part” of Rhode Island’s $75 million loan guarantee to 38 Studios was that it required no validation from outside investors.
In addition, “dogma mixed with dollars can be toxic,” said Primack, pointing toward Schilling’s outspoken conservative values.
Although the former Red Sox pitcher famously endorsed limited governmental power, he “begged” for film tax credits or a payment deferral when his company was unable to pay the interest on its loan.
“Not only was Schilling betraying his own public values, but he was also putting his company in a vulnerable position,” said Primack.
Primack’s final piece of advice was that it is difficult and rare for someone at the top of one field to reach the top of another, unrelated field.
“Schilling did try to hire experienced gaming execs to help fill in the blanks, but ultimately he was an ex-ballplayer in charge of a digital content corporation.”
