Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

[YardRat]

Forked from: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

As I traveled "home" for Easter with the family, I quickly noticed something while out at the grocery store, at Lowes, at Auto Zone, and out to dinner. Where the clothing of Western NY'ers has always (at least from my recollection) been Buffalo Bills Blue, Red, and White; it seems to have changed now to Sabres Navy and Gold!

Everywhere I looked I noticed people adorning Sabres clothing. Now I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that... but this is the first time in my lifetime that I can remember not seeing any Bills apparel while traveling to WNY!

Is this accurate? Is it truly a Sabres town now?

Here's a hypothetical for you to ponder...

1. The Sabres win the Stanley Cup.

2. Tix for Sabres next year are basically sold out, and the waiting list to get in on tix continues to grow.

3. The Bills are into Year 2 of rebuilding, and hover around .500 with a slim chance of making the play-offs.

4. The Sabres, able to keep the majority of the team intact, start off their '07-'08 season at the top of the standings once again.

5. Based on the reality of last fall's home games, because WNYers are spending their dollars on Sabres tickets and merchandise, they continue to pass on Bills tickets and merchandise late in the year.

6. The last four home games for the Bills on '07 are blacked out.

7. Ralph, having gone through two consecutive years of embarassment at the box office, decides it isn't worth it anymore because the area doesn't support the team any longer via ticket sales. He sells the team to an out-of-towner, and it's moved to a new location.

Would you be willing to trade the Bills for a Stanley Cup??

[patmoran2006]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

Forked from: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...



Here's a hypothetical for you to ponder...

1. The Sabres win the Stanley Cup.

2. Tix for Sabres next year are basically sold out, and the waiting list to get in on tix continues to grow.

3. The Bills are into Year 2 of rebuilding, and hover around .500 with a slim chance of making the play-offs.

4. The Sabres, able to keep the majority of the team intact, start off their '07-'08 season at the top of the standings once again.

5. Based on the reality of last fall's home games, because WNYers are spending their dollars on Sabres tickets and merchandise, they continue to pass on Bills tickets and merchandise late in the year.

6. The last four home games for the Bills on '07 are blacked out.

7. Ralph, having gone through two consecutive years of embarassment at the box office, decides it isn't worth it anymore because the area doesn't support the team any longer via ticket sales. He sells the team to an out-of-towner, and it's moved to a new location.

Would you be willing to trade the Bills for a Stanley Cup??

unforunately what you said is very possible. This team will either become competitive and get in the playoffs very soon, or attendance will continue to slide downward; and at that time Wilson may sell this team.

I actually hope that happens, as long as the owner keeps the team in Buffalo. I blast Marv sometimes, but the reality is its Wilson.. he told Marv "here's your allowance, make this team as least ****ty as possible".. and your NOT going over your allowance either.

The key question becomes: Do Bills fans have anymore PATIENCE to support and sellout out a stadium with a team that many feel is inferior to its rivals; or does the trend of second half of last year continue and get worse?

[YardRat]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

unforunately what you said is very possible. This team will either become competitive and get in the playoffs very soon, or attendance will continue to slide downward; and at that time Wilson may sell this team.

I actually hope that happens, as long as the owner keeps the team in Buffalo. I blast Marv sometimes, but the reality is its Wilson.. he told Marv "here's your allowance, make this team as least ****ty as possible".. and your NOT going over your allowance either.

The key question becomes: Do Bills fans have anymore PATIENCE to support and sellout out a stadium with a team that many feel is inferior to its rivals; or does the trend of second half of last year continue and get worse?

I know, that's why I posted it.

[Michael82]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

[HAMMER]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

If that happens, I will puke. But seriously, mediocre or not, if Buffalo can't support the Bills then they don't deserve to keep them.

[Michael82]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

Actually, not just No..... HELL NO! I am a big Sabres fan and would LOVE a Stanley Cup. But I would NEVER EVER EVER give up the Buffalo Bills just to win the NHL championship. NEVER!

[jamesiscool]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

no. althought this is possible it also is possible that we could get struck by lighting or die in a freak expression of willis mcgahee's wrath.

Buffalo IS A FOOTBALL TOWN and dont forget it. It doesn't matter what the sabres do, bills fans are bills fans. and after the draft and what people are sating around the league about JP and evans i feel that people are going to step up to the plate and buy tickets to come see the games.

so no i wouldnt give up the bills for a cup. but i hope we in win.

GO SABRES

[Michael82]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

Once the Bills get good again, the fans will come back in droves and you will see HSBC arena empty again during the football season. What was it that everyone always used to say? The hockey season/Sabres season doesn't begin until the Buffalo Bills season is over.

[YardRat]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

Once the Bills get good again, the fans will come back in droves and you will see HSBC arena empty again during the football season. What was it that everyone always used to say? The hockey season/Sabres season doesn't begin until the Buffalo Bills season is over.

Last year football season pretty much ended with the fifth home game according to ticket sales.

[patmoran2006]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

Once the Bills get good again, the fans will come back in droves and you will see HSBC arena empty again during the football season. What was it that everyone always used to say? The hockey season/Sabres season doesn't begin until the Buffalo Bills season is over.

this aint that kind of Buffalo anymore.

Right now, Hockey season is 365 days per year..

I agree, the fans will support the Bills better when/if they are winning again. But realistically; there's not a very good chance that happens anytime soon.

And whether he deserves it or not (I think he does) Wilson is PERCEIVED by the average sports fan as "cheap" and that matters a lot more than some on here give credit for. I personally know of a dozen Bills fans who didnt renew their season tix.

[SABURZFAN]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

Actually, not just No..... HELL NO! I am a big Sabres fan and would LOVE a Stanley Cup. But I would NEVER EVER EVER give up the Buffalo Bills just to win the NHL championship. NEVER!

yeah....even if lossman's the QB for the next 10 years..........same here.






i gotta

[casdhf]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

I think there could be a spill over effect to the Bills. People get really into one team and that can roll over to the next. Go Buffalo.

[Stewie]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

what the hell hockey success has to do with going to bills games, I still haven't figured out.

Want people to come to games in december? Don't be 2-5 going into the bye week, don't get blown out early in the season (chicago), and don't ever lose to detroit.

[Michael82]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

what the hell hockey success has to do with going to bills games, I still haven't figured out.

Want people to come to games in december? Don't be 2-5 going into the bye week, don't get blown out early in the season (chicago), and don't ever lose to detroit.

[Crisis]

Re: Forked Thread: So I was in Western NY this weekend and...

Buffalo isn't a football town, it's a bandwagon town.