BillsLux Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) I am a diehard fan. When I go to a game, I can honestly say that I don't care how nice the concession stands are or how great the audio systems is? I am not naive to the financial implications of the high price corporate boxes (etc.), but I am curious to know if the average fan actually cares about having a new stadium. I personally could not care less. It's literally 3 hours a week for 8 weeks. I am 100% focused on the game during that time. On a practical note, I'm not actually sure if the corporate infrastructure in the Western NY area can fill the boxes anyway. Edited October 12, 2014 by BillsLux
boyst Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Anything else done to the Ralph would not do me any good. The bathrooms are great now, the atmosphere, the angles, the feel are how I want football to be played.
sodbuster Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I voted that it would be nice. I'm a ST holder from the Rochester area. I don't mind the current location. If it was in downtown or Amherst, cool, but I'm pretty "meh" on future locations. As for stadium quality, as long as it has adequate bathrooms and everything is safe, I don't care. I would watch the team play in the parking lot as long as the team was competitive. That being said, a new stadium would be awesome, and I'm certainly not against it, especially if the Pegulas and Jacobs foot a significant portion of the bill.
jr1 Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 We could steal AT&T Stadium during a "false flag" attack
Jamie Nails Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I would vote to keep the Bills at the Ralph for the rest of eternity, but it's just not tenable because it comes down to dollars and cents. The Bills can charge bigger bucks across the board at a new stadium, which puts more in the pockets of all owners. The pressure from Pegual's fellow owners will be to great to deny. It's not a matter of if, but when, how much, who pays and where.
Kelly the Dog Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 The sight lines at The Ralph are great. The tailgating at The Ralph is great. It's big enough but not huge. The actual game experience there for fans is pretty good if not quite good. Some new stadiums are terrific and some suck. The stadium in Seattle is a very cool place to watch a game. The one in Phoenix sucks IMO. I haven't been to Jerryworld and half the people seem to say it's amazing and half say it's awful. Gillette sucks. Tampa is decent but I think the Ralph is significantly better to watch a game at. Most domes suck. Indianapolis is pretty cool. There really aren't a lot of great NFL stadiums. I'm not sure about the new Met Life one or the SF one though.
K D Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 We have the Ralph until 2022 so ask me again then
Estelle Getty Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 No. They shouldnt waste all of the $ they just put into the ralph
Saxum Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Aside from making it shelter snow a bit (not a full dome) I see no need for new stadium. There are fans who will pay significantly more for seats in a new stadium and fans when forced to pay more will choose not to get season tickets rather than move to seats which are more expensive and poorer view. I think no matter where stadium is moved to it will destroy tailgating as we know it and that is what sustains fans during bad runs. I do not think there is a lot of corporations who will pay for higher priced signage and suites in a new stadium. The Sabres might get signage in new stadium if owner was interesting in paying for it. If Jerry and his cohorts WANT a new stadium for more revenue they can pay for it and ask for percentage of cut - it is not economical and would not spur economic benefits other than short term benefits of construction of new stadium.
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) I voted it would be waste of taxpayer money. Are BFLO fans really the "New NFL?" Or will we always be cooler toting tailgaters. Seeing the "New NFL" in Chicago was really an eye opener for me. My neighbor goes to a few games where his company pays for the ticket and game. Parking pass comes out to about 75 bucks (per game) that his corporation picks up. 75 bucks just for open air (outside the parking garages) so they can have the priviledge to tailgate and "grill." WTF! What would happen to all the private parking around The Ralph? That's what the teams and the NFL want to get their grubby little hands on! It's all about control and squeezing a buck out of people. Now that Pegula saved the team... Why can't we just remain the same... The same "Old NFL." Do they really think they are going to squeeze money out of a fan base that is light on the corporate sponsers. Enlighten me on the merits of the "New NFL." Is Pegula really in it to make money? Everything is bought and paid for, why do we have to go upside down like all the other teams. I am happy as is having one of the cheapest costs to see a game in The League (along w/Cleveland). Why can't they leave it alone? Isn't that one of the rules in real estate? Buy the cheapest home in the best neighborhood. Let everybody else raise our value... We will still keep our digs nice. We don't need a "Starbucks" or other types of places in the stadium. We are a tailgating culture. A culture that promotes private enterprise too. Why should we be "socialized" by The NFL? I would vote to keep the Bills at the Ralph for the rest of eternity, but it's just not tenable because it comes down to dollars and cents. The Bills can charge bigger bucks across the board at a new stadium, which puts more in the pockets of all owners. The pressure from Pegual's fellow owners will be to great to deny. It's not a matter of if, but when, how much, who pays and where. Screw 'em! Just think of all the private enterprise they would be put out of business. Businesses that exist around The Ralph. You want that money funneling into the NFL? That's unAmerican! I say, outside of possibly Green Bay, we should remain that last true team that does business the American way in The NFL! Edited October 12, 2014 by ExiledInIllinois
What a Tuel Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) It sounds like Pegula is going to build one, so we better get over it quickly. He didn't go into this teetering on the edge of whether or not to replace our soon to be 50 year old stadium. My bet is he gets it built by the time the lease expires, and we move right in. Also he seems like a very down to earth guy, and it's just my opinion, but I can't see him bullying the government into paying more than a fair share for a new stadium. On top of that he has no leverage to bully them anyway. http://www.buffalorumblings.com/buffalo-bills-rumors/2014/10/7/6934579/buffalo-bills-owners-kim-terry-pegula-downtown-stadium Edited October 12, 2014 by What a Tuel
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 It sounds like Pegula is going to build one, so we better get over it quickly. He didn't go into this teetering on the edge of whether or not to replace our soon to be 50 year old stadium. My bet is he gets it built by the time the lease expires, and we move right in. Also he seems like a very down to earth guy, and it's just my opinion, but I can't see him bullying the government into paying more than a fair share for a new stadium. On top of that he has no leverage to bully them anyway. How old is Lambeau? Why don't we move to that model? Driving around Green Bay is so refreshing! Especially seeinng that abortion in Chicago!
What a Tuel Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) How old is Lambeau? Why don't we move to that model? Driving around Green Bay is so refreshing! Especially seeinng that abortion in Chicago! I've never been to Green Bay so I'll take your word for it. That said, Ralph Wilson Stadium isn't Lambeau for a multitude of reasons. They also spent nearly $400 million (inflation) renovating it in 2000. Pegula won't spend near that much when he could build a new one near the Sabres in downtown. Edited October 12, 2014 by What a Tuel
Wayne Cubed Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) How old is Lambeau? Why don't we move to that model? Driving around Green Bay is so refreshing! Especially seeinng that abortion in Chicago! You just proved against your own point, sort of. Soldier field is 90 years old. Got a refurb in 2002-03, and you still don't like it. Yea Lambeau is a refurb, but it has had a lot of face lifts. And by all accounts they have been a success. I think the same can be said for Kansas City. Edited October 12, 2014 by Wayne Cubed
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) You just proved against your own point, sort of. Soldier field is 90 years old. Got a refurb in 2002-03, and you still don't like it. Yea Lambeau is a refurb, but it has had a lot of face lifts. And by all accounts they have been a success. I think the same can be said for Kansas City. No. I don't like the model around Soldier, underground parking, Museum Campus, etc... The refurb is okay... But moving to the "New NFL model" while squeezing out tailgaters or charging huge prices to do so. Also, if you don't have a ticket, you can't hang out in the parking lot and watch the game on TV while tailgating (ie: watching the tailgate for the ones that go into the stadium, setting up for after the game, etc..) Again no problem with the refurb of Soldier... Just the business model they went to. Edited October 12, 2014 by ExiledInIllinois
Wayne Cubed Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 No. I don't like the model around Soldier, underground parking, Museum Campus, etc... The refurb is okay... But moving to the "New NFL model" while squeezing out tailgaters or charging huge prices to do so. Also, if you don't have a ticket, you can't hang out in the parking lot and watch the game on TV while tailgating (ie: watching the tailgate for the ones that go into the stadium, setting up for after the game, etc..) Again no problem with the refurb of Soldier... Just the business model they went to. I see. I thought that's what you might have meant.
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) I see. I thought that's what you might have meant. Yeah. I do realize CHI was in a bit of a bind too. To be fair, I am not sure how else they could have handled it and stayed there. Kind of a unique situation that absorbed it. I just really don't like all the underground parking garages. I guess it had to be, its unique situation there and to try to emulate it in downtown BFLO, IMO, would be a huge mistake. I like what we have. I have been to Lambeau and simply love it! Just like The Ralph, residential right up against it! Sidenote: Look @ the mess they are trying to pull with the Cubs @ Wrigley & the RoofTops. They simply want to control everything. What would a new stadium downtown (or wherever) do to places like Hammer's and the private lots? That money would just funnel out of the hands of the small business people and right into the team/League. Edited October 12, 2014 by ExiledInIllinois
bills_fan_in_raleigh Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Give me clean bathrooms with real urinals not those things at the Ralph and enough so people don't piss in the sinks. Also I care about seat comfort versus domes etc. the views in the Ralph are all good. Charlotte stadium has many spots were glass, pipes and other stuff get I. The way of the view
papazoid Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 YES, I want a new stadium. as close to pegulaville as possible. and I want all my fellow new Yorkers and local non football fans to help pay for it. see you sept 10, 2023 for the home and grand opening.
shoretalk Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 As a season ticket holder, I was very very pleased with the renovations at THE RALPH! Brighter and easier to get around at. Plus the added video screens are a huge plus. I am in agreement with the other responder who pointed out that the stadium is a building that is in the best of years used less than 15 times and I want great sight lines to see the game not bells, whistles or added in-stadium amenities. I guess I didn't hear what the GR team at Pegula's press conference heard because in answer to a stadium-related question Pegula said something like "that will take time and "we will study it." Brandon in recent interviews including at Friday's event was equally ambivalent only stating that the stadium task group was part of the current lease and would meet again in the future; no rush and no 'we must have a new stadium soon.' Most new stadiums do not bring in any benefits to the communities that pay for them other than the construction jobs. If you pay taxes in NY will you be first in line to campaign for the local or state rep raising our taxes to build a stadium when THE RALPH is perfect on game day? I know I won't be ... we have an owner who seems content with where his Bills play ... so let's work on the game and not dreaming of paying more in taxes plus seat license fees that would likely be part of that new stadium.
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