Blackout, moving the team, etc.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

I am looking at the attendance figures from last week and this is how it was:

1. Philadelphia 36, N.Y. Giants 22 - 78,657
2. Pittsburgh 37, Carolina 3 - 73,798
3. Dallas 38, Atlanta 28 - 71,102
4. Buffalo 21, Miami 0 - 71,011
5. Baltimore 27, Cleveland 17 - 70,857
6. Green Bay 17, Detroit 9 - 70,472
7. Tennessee 24, Jacksonville 17 - 69,143
8. Washington 16, New Orleans 10 - 69,052
9. New England 40, Houston 7 - 68,756
10. San Francisco 24, Seattle 14 - 67,650
11. San Diego 20, Kansas City 9 - 66,583
12. Denver 37, Arizona 20 - 63,845
13. N.Y. Jets 26, Minnesota 13 - 63,677
14. Chicago 34, Tampa Bay 31 (OT) - 62,260
15. Cincinnati at Indianapolis - 57,292
16. St. Louis 20, Oakland 0 - 50,164


You can tell me all you want about this team moving, I think the NFL needs Buffalo more than Buffalo needs the NFL.

Blackout rule stinks.

[Gunzlingr]

They need to build a smaller stadium so it is full all of the time!

[kernowboy]

Some teams have downsized

I think a stadium down town in the middle of the city with Field Turf and a sliding roof.

The sliding roof is crucial - it means the stadium is far, far more versatile and the city can use it for other events not just a dozen games a season. It also opens up the possibility of the SuperBowl and increases an opportunity for stadium naming rights.

In many ways then the stadium will become almost self financing and due to the still high attendance levels, the city of Buffalo can securtize any loans against future ticket sales, meaning it should not be excessively expensive. It does not need to be a starry shiny Cowboys type stadium. It needs to be efficient, effective, and functional.

And it is do-able.

[ICE74129]

Some teams have downsized

I think a stadium down town in the middle of the city with Field Turf and a sliding roof.

The sliding roof is crucial - it means the stadium is far, far more versatile and the city can use it for other events not just a dozen games a season. It also opens up the possibility of the SuperBowl and increases an opportunity for stadium naming rights.

In many ways then the stadium will become almost self financing and due to the still high attendance levels, the city of Buffalo can securtize any loans against future ticket sales, meaning it should not be excessively expensive. It does not need to be a starry shiny Cowboys type stadium. It needs to be efficient, effective, and functional.

And it is do-able.

downsize the number of seats, Increase luxury boxes, raise ticket prices to the NFL average, sell naming rights. We do that and the Bills will stay AND the NFL will be more willing to help.

NONE of that is going to happen until ralph wilson is no longer owner. Many still need to accept that fact.

[OpIv37]

downsize the number of seats, Increase luxury boxes, raise ticket prices to the NFL average, sell naming rights. We do that and the Bills will stay AND the NFL will be more willing to help.

NONE of that is going to happen until ralph wilson is no longer owner. Many still need to accept that fact.

who's gonna sit in the luxury boxes? Buffalo is not DC or Dallas- they're not gonna sell an entire level of luxury boxes for 100k a season each.

[kernowboy]

who's gonna sit in the luxury boxes? Buffalo is not DC or Dallas- they're not gonna sell an entire level of luxury boxes for 100k a season each.

Luxury boxes are only one way of selling stadium revenue. The same number of boxes as at Rich Stadium could be available ... or maybe some more just to cover any waiting list.

The principle revenue can be made by making the stadium truly multi-functional. The fewer calendar days that the stadium is not being used the cheaper it becomes per seat.

I like the idea of something like the Alamodome though with more luxury boxes and a sliding roof. Built for 65,000, it is expandable to 72,000 (playoffs and Superbowl) but can be hold up to 36,000 for Hockey, 35,000 for Arena concerts, 77,000 for stadium concerts and can also be used for exhibitions etc. The current Alamodome has 38 luxury boxes and 6,000 club level seats but the original design held 66 luxury boxes. The Ralph Wilson has 164 luxury suites and 6,878 club level seats.

So we need to built a 65,000-72,000 sliding roof stadium with 180 luxury suites and 7,000 club level seats. With a 36,000 hockey capacity the Sabres could use it in the Playoffs as well.

Versatility is the key.

[Crazygoo]

Luxury boxes are only one way of selling stadium revenue. The same number of boxes as at Rich Stadium could be available ... or maybe some more just to cover any waiting list.

Wheres Rich Stadium??

[Earthquake Enyart]

They have trouble selling the boxes that they have.

[kernowboy]

They have trouble selling the boxes that they have.

Ok well the new stadium doesn't need to have that many. Build the stadium with 120-150 then.

Luxury boxes are not the only way to make a stadium viable. Stick a sliding roof on it and you double its cash flow.

[kernowboy]

Wheres Rich Stadium??

sorry the Ralph Wilson (formerly Rich Stadium)

[Crazygoo]

Ok well the new stadium doesn't need to have that many. Build the stadium with 120-150 then.

Luxury boxes are not the only way to make a stadium viable. Stick a sliding roof on it and you double its cash flow.

Why would you want to put a roof on??? The weather is one of the best thigns about our stadium.

[Bill Brasky]

I am looking at the attendance figures from last week and this is how it was:

1. Philadelphia 36, N.Y. Giants 22 - 78,657
2. Pittsburgh 37, Carolina 3 - 73,798
3. Dallas 38, Atlanta 28 - 71,102
4. Buffalo 21, Miami 0 - 71,011
5. Baltimore 27, Cleveland 17 - 70,857
6. Green Bay 17, Detroit 9 - 70,472
7. Tennessee 24, Jacksonville 17 - 69,143
8. Washington 16, New Orleans 10 - 69,052
9. New England 40, Houston 7 - 68,756
10. San Francisco 24, Seattle 14 - 67,650
11. San Diego 20, Kansas City 9 - 66,583
12. Denver 37, Arizona 20 - 63,845
13. N.Y. Jets 26, Minnesota 13 - 63,677
14. Chicago 34, Tampa Bay 31 (OT) - 62,260
15. Cincinnati at Indianapolis - 57,292
16. St. Louis 20, Oakland 0 - 50,164


You can tell me all you want about this team moving, I think the NFL needs Buffalo more than Buffalo needs the NFL.

Blackout rule stinks.

great post from somebody who gets it!

there are teams other than Buffalo not selling games out this season...

KC - 79k seats in Arrowhead and they only drew 66k for the SD game... this right after their owner died

OAK - they can't keep people in the seats whether they're good or bad

JAX - well, we all know their story

MIN - they have not sold out every game.

People are making this into a bigger deal than it needs to be. There are teams with smaller stadiums that can't sell out the house. Big deal.

[kernowboy]

Why would you want to put a roof on??? The weather is one of the best thigns about our stadium.

SLIDING roof

It means it can be open during the football games, but can be closed when the venue is used for trade fairs, exhibitions, concerts, even ice hockey games.

It gives the stadium versatility

Stadiums become increasingly expensive if their use is limited. With the weather conditions in Buffalo, an open-air only stadium which provide limited options for revenue generation. Maximum revenue generation opportunities will help keep the Bills in Buffalo

[Jan Reimers]

These few recent nonsellouts will have nothing to do with the Bills' leaving or remaining in Buffalo.

Very simply, if a "local" buyer such as Tom Golisano steps up - and can reach a deal with Ralph or his estate - the Bills will stay. And a little lull in attendance will have no bearing on Golisano's decision to make an offer.

If no one on the local scene is interested, say hello to the LA Bills.

A full house every week will not keep them here, nor will a few blackouts send them away.

[Forward_Lateral]

70,000 + fans is not a "lull"

The NFL should change the defintion of "Sell-Out" to the avg capacity of every NFL stadium.

[Michael82]

70,000 + fans is not a "lull"

The NFL should change the defintion of "Sell-Out" to the avg capacity of every NFL stadium.

[Historian]

70,000 + fans is not a "lull"

The NFL should change the defintion of "Sell-Out" to the avg capacity of every NFL stadium.

I would be interested to know what that number is exactly.

(I'm too lazy to look it up.)

[RockStar36]

I think they should base the blackout on the stadium with the smallest capacity. Seems to me like the Bills are being punished for having a big stadium.

[raphael120]

70,000 + fans is not a "lull"

The NFL should change the defintion of "Sell-Out" to the avg capacity of every NFL stadium.

its the same concept for the revenue sharing, we get boned both ways.

we have more seats and more fans coming out than more teams and we get penalized

we make less money and have to contribute the same as the big teams to the revenue pool.

so not only do the bills draw more fans, we get blacked out, and all our revenue taken

[RockStar36]

One question, are tickets to Bills games cheaper than other NFL games?