If you were the new owner of the Buffalo Bills...

[Pride]

The thread about Jim Kelly stating that he has buyers interested in purchasing the Bills got me thinking about this.

Let's say... for hypothetical fun... that you were able to purchase the Bills for the 700+ million dollars they are worth. Now you, alone, own the team. What changes, if any, would you make?

Keep in mind that I am not looking for player changes... as that should be handled by the GM. But what would you do differently in marketing the team, the stadium, the city, the fans, in management (GM, Coach, etc).

Me? I would start by raising ticket prices. I know I know... but I believe that higher ticket prices in Buffalo MAY actually increase demand. Right now, people don't buy tickets because they know that at any time, they can walk up to the ticket window and buy tickets. I'd like to change that.

I would cross-promote in Toronto and offer some type of incentive for Canadian fans to cross the border and attend games.

I would do away with the entire marketing team at One Bills Drive, and replace them with a non-local marketing firm that will be able to truly regionalize, then nationalize the marketing of the Bills. I want to know why there isn't Bills Merchandise in Pro-Shop catalogs and whatnot all over the U.S.

Then I would work to get funding for a DOME, retractable roof, Stadium on a site somewhere in and around Buffalo that offers the surroundings that give Bills fans, and the entire nation a reason to think of Buffalo as a thriving place to live.

Your turn.

[Bufftp]

I would move them to a more prosperous area and make a killing.
It's business, not personal.

[bigbub2352]

I would move the team downtown with a retractable stadium,
i would revamp the uniforms maybe to the throwbacks or a new design
would start a huge marketing campaign that reach up to Toronto, down to ERIE PENN, out to Albany, that includes radio spots, as well as billboards and TV commercials all about season tickets
I would have a meet and greet at the new stadium with coaches FO personnel and players for perspective season ticket holders

Lobby for an ESPN ZONE to be built near stadium downtown that will fit between the Bass Pro and Casino
Then move on to FO decisions on players and coaches
if it was current roster and coaches
i would be lookin to add a LB DT WR CB TE Hback C either via FA and draft
would bring in a OC with experience not osmeone who never held the position
i would make the stadium capacity 70,000 as oppossed to 74000
and i would start a channel devoted to covering Buffalo sports like EMpire but this time do it right and have players shows on there like Lee Evans, Derrick Docerky , Steve Tasker Jim Kelly, then go the route of the sabres and have Vanek, Gaustad, Roy and Rob ray Gilbert Perriault have there own shows, and that channel would have the sabres games, and bills games
raise the price of concessions and parking and raise the price of tickets all by $1 dollar to offset changes

Sorry but i think that is what goes on in most NFL/ NHL cities

[OpIv37]

First, I would sell the naming rights to the stadium. I know Buffalo will never get the same money that the Skins or Patriots get for their stadium, but you can't go whining to the league about revenue when some revenue streams aren't exploited.

Second, I would work on a new stadium, possibly more to the east so Rochester and Buffalo people would be headed in different directions after the game. As it stands now, all the people from Buffalo itself, Canada and Rochester have to go in the SAME direction when leaving the stadium- this may attract more Rochester fans. I would also consider a downtown stadium, but only if there was still significant space for tailgating. Tailgating is part of the Bills experience and I wouldn't want to limit it in any way.

Third, I'd get some real marketing in Toronto and try to cross promote as much as possible. The idea is to get Toronto to feel some affinity for the team to sell luxury boxes and keep them from stealing it or trying to get their own.

Fourth, and most importantly, I'd find a way to shell out for top coaching talent to make the team better and show the fans that I'm committed to winning and not just to the bottom line.

Oh, and a domed stadium is out of the question. This is BUFFALO- the weather is part of football.

[THATHURMANATOR]

First, I would sell the naming rights to the stadium. I know Buffalo will never get the same money that the Skins or Patriots get for their stadium, but you can't go whining to the league about revenue when some revenue streams aren't exploited.

Second, I would work on a new stadium, possibly more to the east so Rochester and Buffalo people would be headed in different directions after the game. As it stands now, all the people from Buffalo itself, Canada and Rochester have to go in the SAME direction when leaving the stadium- this may attract more Rochester fans. I would also consider a downtown stadium, but only if there was still significant space for tailgating. Tailgating is part of the Bills experience and I wouldn't want to limit it in any way.

Third, I'd get some real marketing in Toronto and try to cross promote as much as possible. The idea is to get Toronto to feel some affinity for the team to sell luxury boxes and keep them from stealing it or trying to get their own.

Fourth, and most importantly, I'd find a way to shell out for top coaching talent to make the team better and show the fans that I'm committed to winning and not just to the bottom line.

Oh, and a domed stadium is out of the question. This is BUFFALO- the weather is part of football.
You contradict yourself.

You want to market to Canada but build a Stadium Further away? Makes no sense.

[RockStar36]

Oh, and a domed stadium is out of the question. This is BUFFALO- the weather is part of football.

THANK YOU!!!!

[Pride]

The retractable roof stadium is NOT for the games. It IS, however, for concerts and other indoor only (in the winter) events. The stadium would be used year round, not for only 10 days a year like the Ralph currently is.

[Gunzlingr]

I like the retractable dome idea for the simple fact that it could be used for other events during the winter. Keeping it closed until gameday would save money on snow removal as well.

[bigbub2352]

with the retractable roof Also big conventions, concerts, car shows, big venue stuff could be brought in, and still have small er concerts and smaller veues could be held at HSBC
selling the nameing rights is another great idea, i am sure Labatt, Rich, or New ERa would defeintly be interested

[OpIv37]

You contradict yourself.

You want to market to Canada but build a Stadium Further away? Makes no sense.

It doesn't have to be THAT far to the East- just east of 190- no further east than Williamsville. I don't really think an extra 10 or 15 minutes is going to alienate Canadian fans.

[madness]

I hate all of you as owners already.

[OpIv37]

The retractable roof stadium is NOT for the games. It IS, however, for concerts and other indoor only (in the winter) events. The stadium would be used year round, not for only 10 days a year like the Ralph currently is.

fair enough, but I have a feeling that the roof would end up being closed for bad weather football games. It would be too tempting.

[OpIv37]

I hate all of you as owners already.

well the current ownership isn't working so something has to be changed.

[RockStar36]

All you new owners are CHEAP

[trapezeus]

i'd get a marketing team to really pitch the bills as America's team. Most of america lives from pay check to paycheck and work at companies that have to stretch the power of their dollar.

How can the cowboys, redskins, and pats be your team when they just throw money around and gouge the little guy? The way the Bills compete is how we all ahve to compete and to see them win is special in that way.

I'd also make sure to get on every football show to heighten the awareness of the Bills. CBS, FOX, HBO, you get on those shows and have your opinion actually matter.

I also work with the local community of businesses to put together Buffalo Weekend packages with hotels, skiing, ticketes to the game, restaurants and make it affordable. Buffalonians who use to live here might be more interested to come home if there was a nice package of things to do with the family and to catch the game.

Stadium is too far out of the picture. with the government so poorly run from an economic standpoint, and business's not seeing what's in it for them, i can't see a stadium deal getting done.

[madness]

well the current ownership isn't working so something has to be changed.

I'm just messin and playing the role of a typical fan.

All this talk about a retractable roof on a dome (which better stay open on game day!) and not one person mentioned the biggest draw for one. Bad businessmen!

[Gunzlingr]

Maybe a retractable roof could draw a SB someday, Minnesota hosted one, why can't Buffalo (unless the rules have changed on cold weather cities)

[LtBillsFan66]

I'd move the team to LA.

[Pride]

Ok, lets end the "moving the team" idea. If the team were moved to L.A., then I dont think anyone would care what you did to the team once moved.

So, for this thread's sake... lets assume that the buyer has no intention of ever moving the team.

[SquishDaFish]

NO DOME!! Football is an outdoor sport. Im sick of these dome stadiums for football. Game is meant to be played in the elements

[justasportsfan]

Revamp the jills and do the audition personally. :naughty:

[DraftBoy]

1. Hire a lobbying team to work in Albany to secure state funds for a new stadium
2. Have Roger Goodell talk with Gov Spitzer about state funds for new stadium
3. Secure funds and build a new stadium on the water front in conjunction with the DOT commissioner to make the proper traffic flow models
4. Sell naming rights
5. Retractable roof stadium with final saying on the roof being under my control
6. Hire a top US marketing firm and a top Canadian marketing firm to market in US and Canada
7. Raise Prices
8. Fire GM, Staff
9. Spend as much money as possible to get a guy like Parcells in here (Jimmie Johnson maybe)
10. Hire on a veteran coach with some inexp coordinators to groom
11. Take over control of all draft decisions immediately!

[PECKERWOOD]

I would change the uniforms.. I hate the dark and gloomy colors that we have now. I would also try to incorporate Toronto and the Lake Erie area into the logo/design to try and attract more Canadians. Not only would we be a WNY team, we would be Canada's first football team as well.

[Ed]

I would sell naming rights, jack up the cost of everything, and construct the sweetest owners luxury box ever. Hot tub, stripper poles, you name it.

I'd also hire a new fashion design team. I always feel like a lot of the apparel they sell is so hideously tacky and atrocious. I know being fashionable and trendy isn't big in WNY, but we gotta start making our gear more appealing to the rest of the world.

[Johnny Bugmenot]

The very first thing I'd do is sue the National Football League over their Super Bowl hosting policy. Super Bowl XLI in a rainstorm proves that this warm weather argument is bunk and nothing but discrimination and extortion for new stadia. Then I'd secure the rights to the next available Super Bowl and use that acquisition to spur development in the city.

[L.A. Playa]

I'd move the team to LA.

Being a smart business man, you just tripled the value of your investment

[trapezeus]

Being a smart business man, you just tripled the value of your investment

until no one in LA shows up for games since they prefer clubs, movie events, corporate events and the like. You are stuck with the suites that were suppose to go for a ton of money but doesn't come through because it's not the in thing to do. You now are desperately begging the NFL to let you move. Then the NFL won't let you move because they want the 3rd largest TV market and think that everyone in the world has to love football like the rest of the country. They want you to spend more time on the situation even though it's your money your losing. They'll throw more money at promotion, but you'll never field a great team because LA will have the players less than focused on playing to their best potential. Why would they when they could party like rock stars, live in the movies, and all the other awesomeness that comes with LA success?

5 years later after outspending your budget to get a winning team (that never materialized), you sell the team at just over $1Bn and wonder, was that even worth it? Did i really make $300MM or did i just get had?

Smart business man indeed.

[L.A. Playa]

until no one in LA shows up for games since they prefer clubs, movie events, corporate events and the like. You are stuck with the suites that were suppose to go for a ton of money but doesn't come through because it's not the in thing to do. You now are desperately begging the NFL to let you move. Then the NFL won't let you move because they want the 3rd largest TV market and think that everyone in the world has to love football like the rest of the country. They want you to spend more time on the situation even though it's your money your losing. They'll throw more money at promotion, but you'll never field a great team because LA will have the players less than focused on playing to their best potential. Why would they when they could party like rock stars, live in the movies, and all the other awesomeness that comes with LA success?

5 years later after outspending your budget to get a winning team (that never materialized), you sell the team at just over $1Bn and wonder, was that even worth it? Did i really make $300MM or did i just get had?

Smart business man indeed.


There are so many holes in this post its not even worth pointing each one out

[trapezeus]

i'd be willing to hear what the holes are.

[blackonyx89]

I would change the uniforms.. I hate the dark and gloomy colors that we have now. I would also try to incorporate Toronto and the Lake Erie area into the logo/design to try and attract more Canadians. Not only would we be a WNY team, we would be Canada's first football team as well.

Put Canadian flags on the sleeves. That's all they get. :sorry:

[jonah7777]

I would fire dick J and most of his staff. JP would be gone. another young QB would be drafted cause I do not trust trent E yet.

The stadium would if possible be renovated to accept a retracting roof if not a new 60,000 seat stadium would go up. The uniforms would stay we are not getting some freakin hairpiece like the sabres did.
And during games in the winter the roof gets closed lol. buffalo can't play in the snow ask the Browns.
most of the non nfl level players on the roster now would get the boot.

[Johnny Bugmenot]

until no one in LA shows up for games since they prefer clubs, movie events, corporate events and the like. You are stuck with the suites that were suppose to go for a ton of money but doesn't come through because it's not the in thing to do.


you'll never field a great team because LA will have the players less than focused on playing to their best potential. Why would they when they could party like rock stars, live in the movies, and all the other awesomeness that comes with LA success?

Pure speculation, and false speculation at that. The Rams and especially the Raiders never had those problems. You mean to tell me a city of less than 300,000 with no business and a declining population can support a team better than a city of 4,000,000 and growing? You're full of crap. The Rams saw opportunity in St. Louis where the Cardinals had left, and the Raiders left because Al Davis is Al Davis and he didn't like the stadium, so he moved from #2 back to the #4 market. Big whoop. The LA area can support a team just fine. MLB, the NHL and the NBA all support two teams there just fine, and there's no reason the NFL, far and away more popular, can't support one, after all, it did for over 50 years prior.

[YardRat]

I'd turn around and sell the team for 800 million and retire comfortably in the Caribbean.