Ronin Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 ... that most of the modern stadiums and stadium "upgrades" are primarily, if not entirely, purely egotistical and luxurious but completely unnecessary? Of the dozens and dozens of games that I and my friends have been to at Rich, I have never found myself complaining about the lack of amenities. Ever. Any complaints that I've had have usually been fan or food (cost) related. For years fans have sat in those seats and I've never heard any complaints except after the fact after they've been instructed how miserable their time was. i.e., it's media perpetuated IMO. Give people reason to be dissatisfied and they will be. I'd rather have the team's share of the money get spent on good coaching and management rather than the stadium. They can build the nicest stadium in the league, but if all they're going to fill it with on Sundays is what they've been filling it with for years, then it's like taking a sterling silver punch bowl and filling it w/ ****. I just don't get the notion that all of these new stadiums have to be built for the terminally ADD.
NoSaint Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 Fact is that fans are footing a big bill to attend and don't want just minimum levels of comfort. They want the best possible. Especially when they could watch in HD at home.
sodbuster Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 I would rather have cheaper tickets than nerfy seats. I agree. Fans will pay to see a good team, even if they play in a cow pasture.
Captain Hindsight Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 Its not the fans the NFL is worried about. Its the bottom line
Buffalo Barbarian Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 ... that most of the modern stadiums and stadium "upgrades" are primarily, if not entirely, purely egotistical and luxurious but completely unnecessary? Of the dozens and dozens of games that I and my friends have been to at Rich, I have never found myself complaining about the lack of amenities. Ever. Any complaints that I've had have usually been fan or food (cost) related. For years fans have sat in those seats and I've never heard any complaints except after the fact after they've been instructed how miserable their time was. i.e., it's media perpetuated IMO. Give people reason to be dissatisfied and they will be. I'd rather have the team's share of the money get spent on good coaching and management rather than the stadium. They can build the nicest stadium in the league, but if all they're going to fill it with on Sundays is what they've been filling it with for years, then it's like taking a sterling silver punch bowl and filling it w/ ****. I just don't get the notion that all of these new stadiums have to be built for the terminally ADD. I'm with ya, real fans are there to watch the game not go a spa! Pretty soon they will be offering escort services. Its not the fans the NFL is worried about. Its the bottom line besides luxury boxes how would a new stadium make more money? A sold out stadium is a sold out stadium regardless of amenities and if the team stinks it wont sell out.
Captain Hindsight Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 I'm with ya, real fans are there to watch the game not go a spa! Pretty soon they will be offering escort services. besides luxury boxes how would a new stadium make more money? A sold out stadium is a sold out stadium regardless of amenities and if the team stinks it wont sell out. Well having more luxery boxes and PSLs do make more money than a 70 dollar ticket. Patriot place for example has restarants that people eat at all year, think that makes more money than an empty stadium most of the year
Marv's Neighbor Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 The way you guys are thinking, we'd still be playing at Jefferson & Best in the Rockpile and the Sabres would still be in the Aud. Any building, stadiums included, has a useful life. Once that's been met or exceeded, all the "upgrades" in the world will likely not be cost effective. Lambeau is what it is. Soldier field was totally rebuilt from the inside out. I don't think Rich is a candidate for any of that. So that's the BIG problem. Like it or not, we need to replace our Stadium. How/where the money comes for that is the next BIG question! I think that's a big reason why the talks have essentially stopped. The decision makers see this and don't have a good plan going forward.
Buffalo Barbarian Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 Well having more luxery boxes and PSLs do make more money than a 70 dollar ticket. Patriot place for example has restarants that people eat at all year, think that makes more money than an empty stadium most of the year good point never really thought about adding restaurants. Shoot might as well add a Mall I guess. whats a PSL?
NoSaint Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 good point never really thought about adding restaurants. Shoot might as well add a Mall I guess. whats a PSL? Seat license: for several thousand dollars you get first dibs to buy tickets essentially
Mr. WEO Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 Fact is that fans are footing a big bill to attend and don't want just minimum levels of comfort. They want the best possible. Especially when they could watch in HD at home. Lambeau has bench seating. Well having more luxery boxes and PSLs do make more money than a 70 dollar ticket. Patriot place for example has restarants that people eat at all year, think that makes more money than an empty stadium most of the year Ralph will never be able to sell PSLs to any significant degree. He struggles to sell the boxes he has now. How will he sell more expensive ones? Do you know anyone who would go out of their way to eat lunch at OBD in Feb? March?
Dragonborn10 Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 Have any of you been to any other modern NFL or MLB stadiums? If so be honest about the experience. Wider concourses, bigger bathrooms, and more food options are important. RW is old, cold, cramped, and in many places just smells bad. Not a great environment to drop a big sum of money. When you have the cheapest tickets in the league you get a cheap experience. And with that comes more fights and more bad behavior. If I was Russ I would eliminate 5-8 K seats, up the price by 25%, and demand Erie county build a state of the art facility on the water. Erie county and NY state should counter with a 25 year iron-clad lease agreement. The stadium complex should include restaurant and shopping space as well as green space along the waterfront. That is the only way the state and tax-payers should agree to fund a new stadium.
Buffalo Barbarian Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 Seat license: for several thousand dollars you get first dibs to buy tickets essentially Thanks
disco Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 The Patriots Well having more luxery boxes and PSLs do make more money than a 70 dollar ticket. Patriot place for example has restarants that people eat at all year, think that makes more money than an empty stadium most of the year I think this is a key aspect of any plan. If you're not familiar with Patriot Place here's a map: http://www.patriot-place.com/InteractiveMap.aspx Kelly has mentioned supporting a Niagara Falls location in the past, and I think it's the most viable based on it's ability to support mixed retail/restaurant on a full time basis. The investment required to build a new stadium makes a standalone venue used exclusively on a weekly basis nearly impossible. A creatively planned complex with commercial (residential?) built in would be a much more realistic investment opportunity. Of course I have no idea what kind of tourism dollars are generated in the Niagara area, but I can't imagine a more potentially lucrative spot in the region?
OvrOfficiousJerk Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 Roughly everything discussed here -- luxury boxes, Patriot Place-esque developments, etc. -- exists only for the benefit of the owner and to pay off stadium upgrade (which the state is covering in our case). I would agree with OP that all these bells and whistles are unnecessary. And honestly, in the City of No Illusions, we go to watch a football game, not to sit in padded heated luxury VIP seats and go shopping before and after the game. Yes there is some club seating/luxury boxes to generate some revenue, but we don't need a fancy stadium to stay viable, especially when you reach the point of diminishing returns (after what point are you making $$$ versus paying off an expensive stadium)
T master Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 I went to the Pats game last week & i for one can't see what all the bitching is about ? The Ralph is a decent stadium !! Sure you have your egoed out owners like JJ that want to show others just how much money he has when there was nothing wrong with Texas stadium he just had to say "look at Me" If it ain't broke don't fix it !!! Just to say i have a new one !!
Punch Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 The biggest upgrade needed for Ralph Wilson Stadium is the !@#$ing team on the field.
bbb Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 College football fans are even more rabid than pro fans, and their stadiums are ancient.
BillnutinHouston Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 there was nothing wrong with Texas stadium he just had to say "look at Me" No question that JerryWorld is excessive but have you ever been to Texas Stadium? It was a dump.
benderbender Posted October 7, 2012 Posted October 7, 2012 Fact is that fans are footing a big bill to attend and don't want just minimum levels of comfort. They want the best possible. Especially when they could watch in HD at home. Considering we no longer have home field advantage, we might as well be comfortable
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