Ralph Wilson Stadium not in the running for outdoor NHL game

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

WGRZ News at 6 Stephan Mahilew was down at HSBC Arena and he talked to Mike Gilbert the Director of Public Relations for the Sabres and Stephan asked him about this outdoor hockey game and where it should be held. Gilbert said that "were looking to keep it Downtown we've been talking with the Bisons to have it at Dunn Tire Park the Bisons said that they would let us use Dunn Tire Park for free, we've also thought about having it at One M&T Plaza they have an ice rink already built we've even thought about having it in Lafayette Square build an ice rink right in the middle of the street (Gilbert Chuckles)why not they have Summer Concerts and Gus Macker basketball there why not a hockey game. Then Stephan asked him about RWS and Gilbert said "that the Sabres never even contacted the Buffalo Bills about having it in RWS nothing against the Bills and Ralph Wilson we love them and all but if we have it there the money from ticket sales would go to the Buffalo Bills since it's their place and they're charging admission it would not go to the Buffalo Sabres. We want to keep it down in Buffalo because we want to show that Buffalo is growing we have a new waterfront that's being re-developed and Bass Pro is moving in old buildings are being demolished and new ones are beig built in their place or re-renovated into apartments, the casino is up and running the City of Buffalo is coming back and what better way to tell people than to have an outdoor hockey game here.

[chernobylwraiths]

Well, say goodbye to the game then.

Is this more Larry Quinn?

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

I agree, it takes place in the Ralph or in Detroit. Then again, Detroit's biggest stadium is indoors. I think Comerica Park holds 40,000 though.

Why don't they take the roof off the Aud and play there. It has to come down anyway.

[chernobylwraiths]

Dunn Tire Park only holds about 20,000 or just a couple thousand more than the Arena. This game is supposed to be a showcase and a novelty. Thousands of people will come down just to say "I was there". This is just backwards thinking again. Any other spot they hold it won't have the chance to have half the capacity that Ralph Wilson Stadium could give.

I can't believe they might screw something else up.

[Dr. Lecter]

I can't believe they might screw something else up.

Have you really paid attention to Larry Quinn's history?

I can't beelive he would not ask the Bills about hosting it, but only if proceeds are split.

[Philagape]

WGRZ's web site says the Ralph:

Can you imagine an ice arena somewhere between the 20-yard lines at Ralph Wilson Stadium, where the Sabres would play the Pittsburgh Penguins with about 70,000 fans in attendance?

The game is actually in the works, although far from becoming official, Ch2 Sports has learned.

The Sabres, the Bills, NBC Sports and anybody else possibly associated with the game is tight-lipped about the proposed game, but sources both in the Sabres organization and in Pittsburgh tell us the wheels are in motion for such a game.

http://www.wgrz.com/sports/sports_article.aspx?storyid=49453

[chernobylwraiths]

Have you really paid attention to Larry Quinn's history?

I can't beelive he would not ask the Bills about hosting it, but only if proceeds are split.

Who owns RWS? I thought it was Erie County.

[Dr. Lecter]

Who owns RWS? I thought it was Erie County.

The lease, I think, lets the Bills take proceeds (or part of them) from other events held there.

[chernobylwraiths]

The lease, I think, lets the Bills take proceeds (or part of them) from other events held there.

Don't think, KNOW!

[Philagape]

The Buffalo News says the Ralph

WGR 55 says the Ralph

[chernobylwraiths]

The Buffalo News says the Ralph

WGR 55 says the Ralph

Anywhere else would be ridiculous. The ice at one M&T Plaza or in Lafeyette Square wouldn't be practical either since there would be a huge problem with having to erect seating for tens of thousands in the winter.

[Philagape]

Anywhere else would be ridiculous. The ice at one M&T Plaza or in Lafeyette Square wouldn't be practical either since there would be a huge problem with having to erect seating for tens of thousands in the winter.

And locker rooms, and media facilities, and TV technology.

This thread is a practical joke, I believe

[Typ0]

How long has it been since RWS held a major event other than a football game? The community doesn't want the stadium there they never did. Maybe I'm crazy but my feeling is this whole thing is a political push to pump up downtown buffalo...I'd love to see this game take place but I don't see it happening.

[Philagape]

How would this game promote downtown Buffalo? NBC wouldn't give a crap. Every time a Buffalo game is on network TV, they show Niagara Falls. All it would do is piss off any national visitors (and local) because of inadequate facilities.

What's the point of having an outdoor game if not at a football stadium, like every other outdoor game? Demand would be overwhelming. :$:

[Typ0]

How would this game promote downtown Buffalo? NBC wouldn't give a crap. Every time a Buffalo game is on network TV, they show Niagara Falls. All it would do is piss off any national visitors because of inadequate facilities.

What's the point of having an outdoor game if not at a football stadium, like every other outdoor game? Demand would be overwhelming. :$:


anything that moves people into downtown buffalo instead of moving them out is promoting downtown bflo. And I can see the baseball stadium being a better venue than RWS too. You don't see a lot of nasty weather in RWS because the events are all held in the fall. Try having one in the winter and see what happens. Not that it's insumountable but you have to realistically look at the possibility the event could be postponed for over a week.

[Philagape]

anything that moves people into downtown buffalo instead of moving them out is promoting downtown bflo. And I can see the baseball stadium being a better venue than RWS too. You don't see a lot of nasty weather in RWS because the events are all held in the fall. Try having one in the winter and see what happens. Not that it's insumountable but you have to realistically look at the possibility the event could be postponed for over a week.

If people try coming downtown to see an outdoor hockey game, it will give a negative impression. It would be promoting an embarassment.

And the weather would be the same.

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

Dunn Tire Park only holds about 20,000 or just a couple thousand more than the Arena. This game is supposed to be a showcase and a novelty. Thousands of people will come down just to say "I was there". This is just backwards thinking again. Any other spot they hold it won't have the chance to have half the capacity that Ralph Wilson Stadium could give.

I can't believe they might screw something else up.

Dunn Tire Park
Seating Capacity: 18,025 Dunn Tire Park was built as a MLB stadium they can add seats

HSBC Arena
Seating Capacities:
Hockey- 18,690
Concerts- 18,500
Basketball- 19,200

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

I agree, it takes place in the Ralph or in Detroit. Then again, Detroit's biggest stadium is indoors. I think Comerica Park holds 40,000 though.

Why don't they take the roof off the Aud and play there. It has to come down anyway.

Comerica Park
Capacity
41,070

[Ebenezer]

well, it would ahve to be in theworks...the schedule comes out tomorrow according to WGR550

[Michael82]

:rofl: If Larry Quinn ****s up another thing, I'm going to laugh my ass off. why on Earth would you have this at any other place but the Ralph? It was be completely moronic to do it at Dunn Tire Park, which is even smaller than HSBC Arena! :lmao:

[Michael82]

The Buffalo News says the Ralph

WGR 55 says the Ralph
Go figure, LOSman WINS is wrong again??? :shocked:

[THATHURMANATOR]

Now this is idiotic! How could it NOT be at the Ralph? Dunn tire park holds like 10,000 people. M&T Plaza? WTF are they even talking about?

[Dude]

Dunn Tire Park
Seating Capacity: 18,025 Dunn Tire Park was built as a MLB stadium they can add seatsI don't think they're going to expand DTP for one outdoor hockey game.

[BlackMetalNinja]

I don't think they're going to expand DTP for one outdoor hockey game.

I think what he means is they can add portable seating on the field around the rink.... Still, I can imagine some of those seats would have a horrible view.

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

There is no word yet on the date, time, venue, or opponent for the outdoor game.

The Buffalo Bills Scott Berchtold would not comment on whether Ralph Wilson Stadium would host the outdoor game, but UB says if not the Ralph, then they'd be interested in talking about hosting the game at their football stadium.

http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=49444

[THATHURMANATOR]

I think what he means is they can add portable seating on the field around the rink.... Still, I can imagine some of those seats would have a horrible view.
Bottom line is the Ralph is ideal especially with the new scoreboard. Dunn Tire park would be a JOKE!

[BlackMetalNinja]

Bottom line is the Ralph is ideal especially with the new scoreboard. Dunn Tire park would be a JOKE!

I certainly agree... Though, high up in the Ralph would be very difficult to see the action on the ice.

[SabreEleven]

I certainly agree... Though, high up in the Ralph would be very difficult to see the action on the ice.

Buy your tickets early than.

[Dr. Lecter]

I have seasons to both, so I might have some extras to sell.

[THATHURMANATOR]

I certainly agree... Though, high up in the Ralph would be very difficult to see the action on the ice.
This is where the brand new High def Scoreboard comes into play.

[SabreEleven]

This is where the brand new High def Scoreboard comes into play.

So you are going to the stadium to watch the game on TV? :scratch: :snicker:

[Bill Brasky]

i don't get the appeal of an HDTV in the stadium.

you're IN THE STADIUM. watch the game. if you wanna watch it on tv, stay home!

[THATHURMANATOR]

i don't get the appeal of an HDTV in the stadium.

you're IN THE STADIUM. watch the game. if you wanna watch it on tv, stay home!
Not the point man. For a hockey game you will need to use it if you are in the upper deck or endzones.

The replays are good to see as well Freeman.

Being in one of the endzones for football I can honestly say it is sometimes tough to see what is going on if the play is at the other endzone.

DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!

[SabreEleven]

A little sand in the vagina, Thurm?

[Bill Brasky]

well, maybe for the game they close off the uppers and put seating on the field?

[THATHURMANATOR]

well, maybe for the game they close off the uppers and put seating on the field?
I like it!

[THATHURMANATOR]

A little sand in the vagina, Thurm?
No why?

[chernobylwraiths]

Someone brought this up at work. Seeing as how the field is pretty crowned, they would have to build up the sides a bit to level everything off. It would be impossible to to put seating on the field because it would block off the people that have the first rows of seats in the stadium.

[Bill Brasky]

doesn't make sense they'd leave the field past the 20's wide open, with nothing there.

make it standing room...

make people pay a premium...

do something.

people are so quick to jump on the negative instead of figuring out a way to fix the problem, boggles my mind at times.

[THATHURMANATOR]

doesn't make sense they'd leave the field past the 20's wide open, with nothing there.

make it standing room...

make people pay a premium...

do something.

people are so quick to jump on the negative instead of figuring out a way to fix the problem, boggles my mind at times.
Standing room only!

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

http://milb.newsroom.mlbcontrol.net/milb-images//2006/01/27/wFGanskC.jpg

[Dude]

:idunno:

[Dr. Lecter]

Cher, most of the crown is gone.

[BlackMetalNinja]

Cher, most of the crown is gone.

http://i15.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/a2/ed/e856_1.JPG

You better buy us some more then Lecter!

[Michael82]

Not the point man. For a hockey game you will need to use it if you are in the upper deck or endzones.

The replays are good to see as well Freeman.

Being in one of the endzones for football I can honestly say it is sometimes tough to see what is going on if the play is at the other endzone.

DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!
Great post, Thurm! I for one am thrilled to be getting the new JumboTron. The old one sucked and when you are down in the lower level of the end zone, the field view is horrible when the play is on the other side of the 50. The HDTV will be a sweet addition. :up:

[Dude]

Lecter, don't bogart the Crown, man.

[Earthquake Enyart]

That UB stadium is pretty big, isn't it?

This just shows once again how a new stadium is needed downtown.

[THATHURMANATOR]

That UB stadium is pretty big, isn't it?

This just shows once again how a new stadium is needed downtown.
Yeah it is decent sized

Of course I am with you on this EE.

[Bill Brasky]

This just shows once again how a new stadium is needed downtown.

the voice of reason

[THATHURMANATOR]

the voice of reason
Oh but Mike would have to drive an extra 2 minutes! Be considerate!

[THATHURMANATOR]

Sounds like we got the game. We play the Pens Jan 1 at a site TBA.....

[CuseJetsFan83]

The NHL released its official schedule (http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=TeamSchedule&team=PIT&season=20072008) this afternoon, and, as expected, the Penguins will play in Buffalo on New Year's Day at 1 p.m. That game could ultimately be played outdoors at Ralph Wilson Stadium in for an NBC televised "Ice Bowl," but as of now it is scheduled to be played at HSBC Arena.

http://penguins.nhl.com found it there.... it has a link to their local newspaper with that quote in it

[Typ0]

If people try coming downtown to see an outdoor hockey game, it will give a negative impression. It would be promoting an embarassment.

And the weather would be the same.


I don't understand where you are coming from on the negative impression at all. How do you figure it's negative? And the weather may be similar but there are a lot more insulating tall buildings downtown and RWS is wide open.

[THATHURMANATOR]

I don't understand where you are coming from on the negative impression at all. How do you figure it's negative? And the weather may be similar but there are a lot more insulating tall buildings downtown and RWS is wide open.
Not sure where he is going with that either man.

[Philagape]

I don't understand where you are coming from on the negative impression at all. How do you figure it's negative? And the weather may be similar but there are a lot more insulating tall buildings downtown and RWS is wide open.

What would be positive about trying to cram tens of thousands of people, media and equipment into M&T plaza? It would be a nightmare. Nobody would care about anything positive.

And if it's at the baseball stadium with a smaller capacity, inferior facilities and bad sight lines, what's the point? That would piss off many more people who'd want to go but couldn't (but could if it were at the Ralph)

[THATHURMANATOR]

What would be positive about trying to cram tens of thousands of people, media and equipment into M&T plaza? It would be a nightmare. Nobody would care about anything positive.

And if it's at the baseball stadium with a smaller capacity, inferior facilities and bad sight lines, what's the point? That would piss off many more people who'd want to go but couldn't (but could if it were at the Ralph)
Well I do think M&T plaza is just plain ridiculous!!! Dunn Tire Park could probably be done up decent enough but it only makes sense that it would be at the Ralph.

[CuseJetsFan83]

there are 2 places that would make sense....... UB's stadium and RWS........ the only possible wrench in this for ralph wilson besides the weather, would be the possiblity of a playoff game for the bills

[chernobylwraiths]

UB stadium holds 31,000.

Still makes sense to only play it at RWS. Regardless of where it is played outside, visibility will be terrible for the actual game. That is why RWS with its HDTV jumbo board will be the best place to have it. And seating on the field would be bad as well since everyone would be at the same level and you would only get about a couple rows of people before people couldn't see.

[CuseJetsFan83]

UB stadium holds 31,000.

Still makes sense to only play it at RWS. Regardless of where it is played outside, visibility will be terrible for the actual game. That is why RWS with its HDTV jumbo board will be the best place to have it. And seating on the field would be bad as well since everyone would be at the same level and you would only get about a couple rows of people before people couldn't see.

its still 12k more than hsbc......... just the novelty of it is great...... i'd go

[Michael82]

there are 2 places that would make sense....... UB's stadium and RWS........ the only possible wrench in this for ralph wilson besides the weather, would be the possiblity of a playoff game for the bills
Home playoff game!?!? :lmao:

[CuseJetsFan83]

Home playoff game!?!? :lmao:

when you try to make schedules you have to think of anything that could throw a wrench in plans......

according to the oncenter in syracuse.... had the amerks beaten hamilton, and made it to round 2...... one of the games would have been in syracuse lol

[Michael82]

when you try to make schedules you have to think of anything that could throw a wrench in plans......

according to the oncenter in syracuse.... had the amerks beaten hamilton, and made it to round 2...... one of the games would have been in syracuse lol
don't forget that I am a Knighthawks fan and we got screwed out of a home championship because of poor scheduling. :ill:

[BlackMetalNinja]

They actually mentioned this on PTI today. They said it would be at the Ralph if it indeed happens, and they didn't even mention any other game except Pittsburgh at Buffalo.

Of course they then went on to talk about how nobody outside of those two cities would care because it's hockey... and that those two cities wouldn't even care because everybody watches college football on New Year's Day. Why do I watch ESPN again??? :rolleyes:

[THATHURMANATOR]

They actually mentioned this on PTI today. They said it would be at the Ralph if it indeed happens, and they didn't even mention any other game except Pittsburgh at Buffalo.

Of course they then went on to talk about how nobody outside of those two cities would care because it's hockey... and that those two cities wouldn't even care because everybody watches college football on New Year's Day. Why do I watch ESPN again??? :rolleyes:
I can't speak for da Burgh but I can guarantee that Buffalo would have HUGE audience.

[Bill Brasky]

Of course they then went on to talk about how nobody outside of those two cities would care because it's hockey...

yeah nobody would care, yet they felt the need to talk about it.

friggin morons.

[CuseJetsFan83]

lets put it this way............ i can easily see 60 k....... it would bring out people that wouldn;t normally be able to get into HSBC for an insane amount of money

hell i might go, although its new years....... that would be a mess

[Bill Brasky]

their logic is so ******ed.

"nobody outside those markets would care"

just like nobody outside cleveland and san antonio cared about the NBA finals they had to ram down our throats like it was the 2nd coming of christ. the NBA's ratings this year were just as bad as the NHL's, and they were carried on TNT, ABC, and the "worldwide leader"

[BlackMetalNinja]

their logic is so ******ed.

"nobody outside those markets would care"

just like nobody outside cleveland and san antonio cared about the NBA finals they had to ram down our throats like it was the 2nd coming of christ. the NBA's ratings this year were just as bad as the NHL's, and they were carried on TNT, ABC, and the "worldwide leader"

That's what it all rests on... Didn't you know Arena Football is more of a sport then the NHL now because it's on ESPN!

[Bill Brasky]

also - poker, horse riding, children spelling dumb words no one uses. what new stuff are they carrying now? shouldn't they be popping boners about the ESPY's? it's that time of year.

i'd rather win a fake bucket of popcorn from the mtv movie awards. carries more merit that than junk.

[Crisis]

POKER ISNT THAT BAD TO WATCH

[chernobylwraiths]

also - poker, horse riding, children spelling dumb words no one uses. what new stuff are they carrying now? shouldn't they be popping boners about the ESPY's? it's that time of year.

i'd rather win a fake bucket of popcorn from the mtv movie awards. carries more merit that than junk.

haha, the ESPYs. Only award show that isn't even carried live.

[Bill Brasky]

haha, the ESPYs. Only award show that isn't even carried live. As sad as it is, I actually went to the ESPY's in '03 (got hooked up as a seat filler!)... it's even more boring in person.

Got to meet Barry Bonds, Lebron, Kiefer Sutherland, and a bunch of others though...