Ed (10-23-2012)
Will never be built until an owner who isn't in their 90s owns the team and commits to Buffalo.
We've been trying to get a bridge built here for 15 years without success. I'll believe it when I see it.
1.4 Billion in this area ? Looks like a retractable dome and a dome would be the only way it could succeed.
I bet I'll be dead before they break dirt.
RedEyE (10-23-2012)
Sweet stadium though.
I heard state would only put up 400 million NFL would match it at 400 million the rest is privately funded. Seems reasonable. However 1.4 billion seems way too overpriced for a market like buffalo.
RedEyE (10-23-2012)
Extremely over-priced. They could cut significant cost by excluding the retractable roof. But then I guess it seconding as a convention center would also go out the window.
A retractable dome is essentially a dome because it will never be open in bad weather. It cedes the advantage to our opponents, especially Miami.
I also don't see any parking lots for tailgating in that mock-up.
Also, if Buffalo gets a stadium that costs more than $600 million or so, say hello to PSL's, which means saying goodbye to probably 10k season ticket holders who won't fork over the dough.
72000 people and look at the photo... wheres the parking? Wheres the tailgate?
It would be sweet and being on the harbor is perfect. I just don't see the real estate to actually do it.
OpIv37 (10-23-2012)
OpIv37 (10-23-2012)
$600 millions is a lot of money for somebody to front. The new stadium HAS to be retractable roof and honestly if it takes PSL's and limited tailgating to get the Bills to stay in Buffalo that's something local fans may have to swallow. You're talking about 10,000 new jobs to the area for at least five years. Now it will never get approved but that's a different story.
BertSquirtgum (10-23-2012)
Plus, there are a lot of private lots on people's yards and small businesses around the Ralph. And it looks like the stadium itself is larger, to accommodate the convention center space. I'd say a conservative estimate is a loss of 50 acres of tailgating space.
That will KILL this team, as the tailgating is what has kept people going to the games even when the team blows (which has been constant).
That being said, we probably already gave this issue more time than it's worth. The article said they haven't reached out to the team and they haven't sought political backing yet, so right now, there is about as much reality to this as me saying I'm going to buy the Bills and appoint myself GM, DraftBoy director of scouting and Coach Sal as head coach.
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I disagree that it HAS to be retractable. A retractable dome in Buffalo is a dome. They'll have it open 3 games a year, tops, Not worth the money. And I don't think PSL's and limited tailgating will help keep the team in Buffalo. I think they'll help drive the team out, because the games will become too expensive and people will stop going to the games to tailgate even when the team sucks.
Last edited by OpIv37; 10-23-2012 at 08:21 AM.
RedEyE (10-23-2012)
I'd buy a piece of the team...
RedEyE (10-23-2012)
Seating capacity needs to be decreased to around 65K.
Historian (10-23-2012)
COMING SOON...
Originally Posted by Dr.Lecter
Who gives a **** if its not open ever? Do you honestly believe the weather that effects both teams is that big of an advantage? I recall there have been studies done saying the weather is closer to a zero net effect.
For years fans here havs said they will pay more, I dont think the PSL in Buffalo will cost as much as the one in Dallas or NJ, they aren't going to outprice their market place to that level. Im not going to even bother responding to the idea that people being unable to tailgate would drive the team away. That's ridiculous to even consider.
trapezeus (10-24-2012)
Buffalo Thriller (10-23-2012)
I think you missed the point: if they're never going to open it, then it doesn't have to be retractable. It's a waste of money.
And no, the tailgating thing is not ridiculous. It's part of the Bills experience and it's what keeps Bills fans coming when the team sucks, particularly late in the year. If the team can get 10+ wins a season, you're right, the tailgating won't matter. But they can't. Take away the tailgating, and you'll be lucky to get 20k to show up for those meaningless December games.
jdaltroy5 (10-23-2012)
Lehner's history. He just doesn't know it yet.