Fan Friendly?

by Ebenezer

So, yesterday, Gary Bettman basically told our duly elected officials to fish or cut bait. I will put my skepticism aside for a minute and not come to the conclusion that this was some orchestrated ploy to get the area to pony up and get things straight in order for Hamister's bid to go through. I will also forego the thought that this is nothing more than a dog and pony show that opens the door and we can all wave goodbye as the Sabres drive out of town.

What I have to say goes to a level beyond the day to day operations of the any pro sports team. I am calling out the fans of Buffalo. While I may be the only voice in the wind I do not believe that this is a rabid sports area. We are rabid about the Bills. We will lie down and die if it means winning the Super Bowl. We are not, however, a good sports town. The arena is full when the Sabres are winning but traditionally when they are bad the arena is empty. Thus, fair weather.

I keep hearing about afordability. What about the other sports this town has or has had?? Who supported the Stallions or the Blizzard?? Tickets were cheap for those games. It appears that nobody likes soccer. I'll give fans that one.

What about the Bandits? When they were champions and new people flocked to the Aud to see them. The games were exciting; more so than the Sabres. Tickets were cheap; more so than the Sabres. The same is true today. How many people go to the games? How many sell-outs were there last year? Win and show, lose and stay home? Thus, fair weather.

How about university sports? Sure, put Canisius against St. Bona at the Koessler Center and it is sold out. Have Canisius play (enter any non-major college team here) on any other Thursday night and nobody shows. How many people go to UB basketball or football games. Niagara almost went to the National Championships in college hockey a couple of years back. How many people went to those games? By the way, tickets for those games were in the single digits.

How about other sporting events? The Bisons? I go to 5 games a year. There are less than 6,000 in the seats. Women sports? Forget it. A sale at Steinmart gets more attention in this town than women's sports. High school sports? You have got to be kidding me. I know we don't live in Texas. I know we don't live in Florida. But, how many people went to the Section VI championships at the Ralph in October? How many non-students or parents of players go to football games on Saturday's during the fall? How many non-students or parents of players go to basketball games in the dead of winter?

Sorry, let's face it. Buffalonians have this warped view that we deserve the Sabres and the Bills. We are deluded into thinking we are a GREAT SPORTS TOWN. This is incorrect. We are a Great Bills Town. Nothing more, nothing less. Unless the Sabres are winners the people don't show up. Forget minor league. Forget college. Forget high school. Fans in this town only want the major leagues and they only want a winner. Expense may keep some people from the Sabres games but it doesn't prevent people from supporting these other sports outlets. By my definition, that is not a great sports town.