BillnutinHouston

It should be pointed out that having this franchise rank 9th in profitability WITH THIS OWNER, IN BUFFALO does not necessarily mean the franchise will have similar dynamics in another market and under different ownership. After a sale, and if moved to a new market, a new set of dynamics impacting franchise profitability kick in. Some of these factors work against relocation, and some work in favor of it, such as: 1) Stadium debt servicing (in Buffalo as it now stands this franchise incurs none, whereas elsewhere it could be a huge long-term expense impacting profitability) 2) Unshared revenue from luxury suites (another market would likely generate more $) 3) Advertising revenues (likely greater in a larger market) 4) Payroll size (a new front office might spend more than the incumbents) 5) Ticket prices (certainly will generate higher revenues in another market) Some of these factors obviously counteract each other. To me the main takeaway is that the current franchise in Buffalo is financially healthy - as long as the Ralph remains a viable venue. Overall that's good news since it suggests that a local owner buying the Bills would not have to look at his investment as a "charitable transaction", however a major variable that any prospective owner would have to look at and determine is, what is the future of RW Stadium and how will that future impact my potential cash flow? And, can a new venue in Buffalo be financed in a way that doesn't weigh down the team with massive debt? Obviously as the County enters lease negotiations with the Bills, the Bills will be minimally concerned with issues pertaining to the long term, instead focusing on near term operational cost issues. But hopefully, the County & State have their eyes on the OTHER BALL - they need to be looking at/working on plans to either renovate RWS or build and finance a new venue such that the region is well positioned to make Buffalo an atractive long term home for the new ownership group. This positioning will require a) ensuring the facility meets the expectations of the new NFL and b) doing so in a way that doesn't saddle the new ownership with debt that would impede profitability.

Ahh...the old "feigning confusion" ploy. Brilliant!!

Interesting and unique article - weaving Fitz's fortunes to those of the City...

I was thinking the same thing.

Awesome. Billnut Jr. and I will be there!

I've got my new avatar!

19-16 Bills

Mike Schopp

Agreed! I think I'm more excited to see them unveil Merriman than I am to see Dareus.

Wasn't that Charlie Jones? By the way - love those unis!

And so another initially promising and interesting thread goes horribly wrong.

Agree. Hopefully some of the more thoughtful of the mob will put their pitchforks away for awhile.

Well I only have two - a Trent Edwards white throwback and a new home blue Dareus. Ahh, I think I'll go with Dareus.

I also think that our TEs will be expected to block/chip - I'd say that's why we're moving toward bigger TEs like Chandler and Lee Smith.

The suburbs of Houston, TX.

I heard Haley with the press on NFL network and I didn't hear him say Cassel practiced "fully" - he was much more measured in his comments about what Cassel did in practice. Maybe you heard/saw something I didn't?

Well he does mention George Edwards - then proceeds to say he doesn't know much about him. LOL. Ignorant, but at least honest about it.

Mark Treynowicz

Lots of potential, but my observation in preseason indicates a guy who plays with lots of nerves and "butterfingers" - easy drops and his kickoff return fumble come immediately to mind. I hope I'm wrong but he strikes me as the prototypical Bill who makes the bonehead play at a critical time.

Funny but true - I learned this firsthand after moving down to TX.

Several very inconvenient facts for the "Ralph is cheap" crowd to explain.

Just get a W. Any way you can.

Stack the run on D, move the sticks on O, and walk out of Arrowhead with a W.

Good post.

So I guess you think that Buffalo has as good a chance at top level free agents as everyone else, dollar-for-dollar. I think we may be headed in the right direction by having Merriman help with recruiting, but I'm not sure that I agree. If we had beat out Atlanta for Clabo's services I might give that view some consideration, but alas we did not.