Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

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  • YardRat
    Well, lookie here...
    • Dec 2004
    • 86162

    Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

    Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie reportedly phoned Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano earlier this season about possibly purchasing the team.


    Billionaire Jim Balsillie contacted Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano earlier this season about the possibility of purchasing the franchise, a sign he's still seeking an NHL franchise after two unsuccessful attempts.

    Balsillie, the co-chief executive officer of Blackberry maker Research in Motion, phoned Golisano around Christmas, a source familiar with the matter told The Toronto Star.

    Golisano indicated he would be open to selling the club, but not if Balsillie was planning to relocate it.
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  • RockStar36
    Dude's Little Ignorant Crony
    • Sep 2004
    • 24761

    #2
    Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

    I don't know anything about this guy. I'm assuming he would have to agree not to move? Why was he unsuccessful his first two times? Would he spend money like crazy?

    D & S Sports



    Comment

    • LABillsFan
      Registered User
      • Aug 2002
      • 4418

      #3
      Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

      I think he's the guy that wanted to buy the Pred's and move them to Hamilton?
      I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't repeat myself.

      Comment

      • RockStar36
        Dude's Little Ignorant Crony
        • Sep 2004
        • 24761

        #4
        Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

        He is.

        I just heard more about him on WGR. He attempted to purchase both Pittsburgh and Nashville and wanted to move them both so basically this report is a dead story since Tom G. prohibited moving the franchise.

        It is a scary thought the more I think about it though. I don't want to lose the Sabres or the Bills and I don't like how it constantly comes up in conversation.

        D & S Sports



        Comment

        • Michael82
          Registered User
          • Jul 2002
          • 82330

          #5
          Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

          Originally posted by RockStar36
          He is.

          I just heard more about him on WGR. He attempted to purchase both Pittsburgh and Nashville and wanted to move them both so basically this report is a dead story since Tom G. prohibited moving the franchise.

          It is a scary thought the more I think about it though. I don't want to lose the Sabres or the Bills and I don't like how it constantly comes up in conversation.
          The sad truth is, we will most likely lose one of them or maybe even both. This crappy economy and all the people that keep leaving Western NY does not help, that's for sure.

          Comment

          • RockStar36
            Dude's Little Ignorant Crony
            • Sep 2004
            • 24761

            #6
            Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

            I guess I understand the whole crappy economy thing but I don't understand why either franchise should cry poor. Both of them consistently sell out the stadium and when the Sabres were deep in the playoff run they were easily the hottest team in the NHL. Everyone bought merchandise, tickets, etc. Those are the things I wish the management would see. They sit there and ***** about breaking even but don't realize that they need to spend the money to make the money. They were so concerned with breaking even this season and I bet they did worse by not spending money because they lose out on all that ticket revenue, not to mention what it does for the city of Buffalo. I was one of the people that actually drove to Buffalo, got a hotel downtown, and went to the Party at the Plaza. That is how crazy the city was during the playoff run. I bet downtown Buffalo is dead right now because the Sabres have nothing going on.

            D & S Sports



            Comment

            • THATHURMANATOR
              Registered User
              • Jul 2002
              • 69112

              #7
              Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

              Originally posted by RockStar36
              He is.

              I just heard more about him on WGR. He attempted to purchase both Pittsburgh and Nashville and wanted to move them both so basically this report is a dead story since Tom G. prohibited moving the franchise.

              It is a scary thought the more I think about it though. I don't want to lose the Sabres or the Bills and I don't like how it constantly comes up in conversation.
              Guys the Sabres are NOT going anywhere. If anything a game or 2 in Hamilton which is fine with me. Plus Bassille is a hockey guy and would probably do more to win.

              Then Tom G could buy the Bills.

              Comment

              • RockStar36
                Dude's Little Ignorant Crony
                • Sep 2004
                • 24761

                #8
                Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

                Thurm, Bassille would definitely want to move the Sabres. He tried to move the previous two franchises. I could understand moving Nashville to Hamilton (which would be great for the NHL) but I don't fully understand wanting to move Pittsburgh.

                D & S Sports



                Comment

                • THATHURMANATOR
                  Registered User
                  • Jul 2002
                  • 69112

                  #9
                  Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

                  Originally posted by RockStar36
                  I guess I understand the whole crappy economy thing but I don't understand why either franchise should cry poor. Both of them consistently sell out the stadium and when the Sabres were deep in the playoff run they were easily the hottest team in the NHL. Everyone bought merchandise, tickets, etc. Those are the things I wish the management would see. They sit there and ***** about breaking even but don't realize that they need to spend the money to make the money. They were so concerned with breaking even this season and I bet they did worse by not spending money because they lose out on all that ticket revenue, not to mention what it does for the city of Buffalo. I was one of the people that actually drove to Buffalo, got a hotel downtown, and went to the Party at the Plaza. That is how crazy the city was during the playoff run. I bet downtown Buffalo is dead right now because the Sabres have nothing going on.
                  The Downtown area is slowly perking up. There have been a couple thousand living units(lofts and condos) that just went up down there. It will take time. If you drive through DT on a saturday afternoon when there is no specific festival/event going on it is like a ghost town. On a side note you should try driving down Elmwood on a weekend afternoon. It is bumping and really just off the DT path.

                  Comment

                  • THATHURMANATOR
                    Registered User
                    • Jul 2002
                    • 69112

                    #10
                    Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

                    Originally posted by RockStar36
                    Thurm, Bassille would definitely want to move the Sabres. He tried to move the previous two franchises. I could understand moving Nashville to Hamilton (which would be great for the NHL) but I don't fully understand wanting to move Pittsburgh.
                    He could only purchase them as stated in the above article if he agreed not to move them.

                    Comment

                    • RockStar36
                      Dude's Little Ignorant Crony
                      • Sep 2004
                      • 24761

                      #11
                      Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

                      Which is why he didn't purchase them. That was most likely his intention.

                      And I agree with the DT area. The first time I was really downtown was during the playoff run last year and I thought it was totally badass. Then the last time we went I woke up that Saturday morning and it looked more dead than downtown Erie. That was depressing. There went my dream of living in Buffalo.

                      D & S Sports



                      Comment

                      • THATHURMANATOR
                        Registered User
                        • Jul 2002
                        • 69112

                        #12
                        Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

                        Originally posted by RockStar36
                        Which is why he didn't purchase them. That was most likely his intention.

                        And I agree with the DT area. The first time I was really downtown was during the playoff run last year and I thought it was totally badass. Then the last time we went I woke up that Saturday morning and it looked more dead than downtown Erie. That was depressing. There went my dream of living in Buffalo.
                        Downtown Buffalo is always busier than DT Erie. Don't mistake that fact!

                        Also in the summer there are festivals and events downtown every weekend.

                        Comment

                        • RockStar36
                          Dude's Little Ignorant Crony
                          • Sep 2004
                          • 24761

                          #13
                          Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

                          Dude, I don't know. That Saturday afternoon was as dead as dead can be.

                          D & S Sports



                          Comment

                          • Bill Brasky
                            Drives an ice cream truck covered in human skulls
                            • Jan 2004
                            • 66218

                            #14
                            Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

                            if you can believe it, rochester's downtown is worse. it's not just buffalo.

                            Comment

                            • THATHURMANATOR
                              Registered User
                              • Jul 2002
                              • 69112

                              #15
                              Re: Jim Balsillie wanted to buy Sabres

                              Originally posted by RockStar36
                              Dude, I don't know. That Saturday afternoon was as dead as dead can be.
                              It was still winter man.

                              Comment

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