BuffaloBill Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 To me the only thing wrong with the Ralph is its location. The regional concept has proven to be a good one. To help secure this my long time "vote" would be to put the stadium near the Falls and closer to Toronto. However, the Ralph is fine. Not sure that anything is gained with a new stadium.
Harveyj001 Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I voted Yes because of the wording of the question, I care because it doesn't matter if the stadium moves as long as the experience and tailgating remain the same. Location isn't as important as the whole shebang! That is my concern with anew stadium, so I care.
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I voted Yes because of the wording of the question, I care because it doesn't matter if the stadium moves as long as the experience and tailgating remain the same. Location isn't as important as the whole shebang! That is my concern with anew stadium, so I care. The part of the experience that is bound to change with a new stadium is the procurement step. If the mantra is a new stadium brings more cash, and it's roughly the same size, then the obvious way to increase revenue is to get more $/attendee.
Buffaloed in Pa Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Long live the Ralph. No better area to tailgate in the NFL. It`s like one big family reunion. That will be lost when moved.
SoulMan Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 New stadium = way way higher ticket prices. Let the other owners wine..keep the Ralph. It was a mistake when it was built but it's not a mistake any more.
todd Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I care. I'd love a new stadium if it was downtown or closer to Rochester. What people don't realize is that even though there are a ton of fans from Rochester, people are being alienated because, frankly, the two hour drive there and 2 1/2 (at least) drive back, including traffic, sucks. It is THE main reason I don't have season tickets, and don't attend too many games. For Rochester folks, we're talking a 4 hour total commute MINIMUM just to see a game. Have an 8 to 10 hour day to see a game is too much with job responsibility, family responsibility, house to take care of, etc. If the stadium was 20 minutes to 1/2 hour closer it would be a different story. And this isn't involving the comfort factor. Frankly, as I get older, it becomes a little more important. I've spent plenty of time freezing my a$$ off over the years. Paid my dues. Watched games in the rain, snow, cold, wind, etc. I've been hit by cups of beer, snowballs, and been accosted by fans of both the opposing team and Bills fans. I've been vomited upon, because morons drink too much. That's fine, but to sit in traffic and drive 3 hours home after all that is a bit much, especially after paying for the privilege. So a new stadium with a retractable roof that is a little closer to (my) home is a damn good idea in my book. I'd pay an extra $10 a ticket for it at least.
simpleman Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) As long as the "bones" of the stadium are good, why move it? Yes, there will need to be more revisions and tweeks to the stadium. Concessions,bathrooms. I can see a major revision so that some prime seats are enclosed in glass so that those that want protection from the elements can pay for that privilege. They would be a premium somewhere between boxes and open seating. More money for the owner. We don't need a dome. Football is an outdoor sport. Create a space for indoor comfort for those that need it and can pay for it and we create more voluntary income for the owner, fill a fan need, and let the other fans continue to enjoy an affordable experience. Someone mentioned the other owners wanting increased revenue from the stadium. I thought that most revenue generated from the stadium facilities was not shared, concessions, parking, other frills, SLs, etc. was exclusive to the owner. Is that incorrect? I don't feel for those complaining about the location, it is fine. And those mentioning regional forget that getting closer to Canada also puts the stadium further away from the rest of WNY. Travel from the east and south is decent now, how will that help? This magical belief that all that Toronto Corporate money will flow into NF or downtown if we build a new stadium there is a unicorn dream, like the attendence and support the team had in the Toronto games showed us. And near NF or downtown increases traffic woes and travel times becouse of congestion in urban areas. It is not just the stadium costs, but the road infastructure costs the taxpayer will have to foot. It is not just about the distance traveled, but the time spent in traffic getting to the game. For many fans, getting closer to an urban area will inevitably increase travel time, even if it decreases distance. Edited October 12, 2014 by simpleman
ALF Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) With HDTV and the blackout rule gone , a dome with less seating could make sense 10 years from now. As long as the team stays here, whatever the Pegulas are comfortable with is good. The type of stadium that good players want to come here and stay is also a factor Edited October 12, 2014 by ALF
The Bunk Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I'd love to see the Bills get a fancy new stadium, like others have said my biggest gripe is location. Best tailgate in the league, not even close IMO. I would hate to give that up for new digs, hopefully they'd take that into consideration.
8-8 Forever? Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 We have the Ralph until 2022 so ask me again then this. just not an issue
26CornerBlitz Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 (edited) The Ralph is in the wilderness. Like it or not, a new modernized stadium is coming in a better location. Edited October 12, 2014 by 26CornerBlitz
Donald Duck Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 A Superbowl played in Buffalo would be sweet and lucrative for the city, I want a new Dome Stadium...
harv shitz Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 No. They shouldnt waste all of the $ they just put into the ralph Exactly. I hope the Pegulas and the local politicians don't succumb to the pressure of the "rich get richer" worry about whats in it for themselves owners like Jerry Jones! The Ralph is great, and at 40 years old, how can it be worn out?
T master Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Been to the Ralph a couple of times & i don't see where the visitors say that the venue sucks ? The sight lines are great , you can see well from just about any where in the stadium . I don't get why the tax payers should pay for the stadium with the NFL being the ones to get all or most of the profits . Let Goodell & others give back a bit of their yearly salary & put it in a stadium fund that every 5th or so year a team starting with the team that has the oldest venue to get a new on . If Goodell gave back $20 million a year of his $44 million & the NFL put lets say $500 million every year from their multi BILLION $ a year TV contract the NFL & the teams could pay cash over a short period of time & have the tax burden be nothing on the fans . But i guess where greed is involved with multi millionaires you just want more !!
Tyrod's Tailor Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 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. Met Life is awful. You name the criterion, that stadium fails at it.
RyanC883 Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 Only if it was a dome. This will amplify the sound (which is more of a home field advantage than the hope for snow), eliminate the "blackout" risk, and increase ticket prices as required due to supply and demand for games after November 1. Even when the team is competitive, it's hard to actually fill the Ralph when it's -10. Been to the Ralph a couple of times & i don't see where the visitors say that the venue sucks ? The sight lines are great , you can see well from just about any where in the stadium . I don't get why the tax payers should pay for the stadium with the NFL being the ones to get all or most of the profits . Let Goodell & others give back a bit of their yearly salary & put it in a stadium fund that every 5th or so year a team starting with the team that has the oldest venue to get a new on . If Goodell gave back $20 million a year of his $44 million & the NFL put lets say $500 million every year from their multi BILLION $ a year TV contract the NFL & the teams could pay cash over a short period of time & have the tax burden be nothing on the fans . But i guess where greed is involved with multi millionaires you just want more !! I don't understand why anyone would say the Ralph sucks. It's awesome, even better now with the refresh. I love it. I'd only due a new stadium if it were a dome and/or the Ralph became structurally unsound for some reason. The Ralph is in the wilderness. Like it or not, a new modernized stadium is coming in a better location. you are prob correct that a new stadium will be coming. But I don't think the Ralph is in the wilderness. It's very easy to access from the thruway. I drive up from Pittsburgh at least once a year. It would be much more difficult for out of town fans and in town fans if it were downtown. The Steelers stadium is downtown, and it's easier to get in and out of the Ralph. Plus, the tailgating at the Ralph is 100000X better.
Kirby Jackson Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I apologize in advance for not reading the whole thread so this may be redundant. In terms of the new stadium no one cares what the fans think. The new stadium is about generating revenue and appealing to a broader audience. It's coming
Kelly the Dog Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I care. I'd love a new stadium if it was downtown or closer to Rochester. What people don't realize is that even though there are a ton of fans from Rochester, people are being alienated because, frankly, the two hour drive there and 2 1/2 (at least) drive back, including traffic, sucks. It is THE main reason I don't have season tickets, and don't attend too many games. For Rochester folks, we're talking a 4 hour total commute MINIMUM just to see a game. Have an 8 to 10 hour day to see a game is too much with job responsibility, family responsibility, house to take care of, etc. If the stadium was 20 minutes to 1/2 hour closer it would be a different story. And this isn't involving the comfort factor. Frankly, as I get older, it becomes a little more important. I've spent plenty of time freezing my a$$ off over the years. Paid my dues. Watched games in the rain, snow, cold, wind, etc. I've been hit by cups of beer, snowballs, and been accosted by fans of both the opposing team and Bills fans. I've been vomited upon, because morons drink too much. That's fine, but to sit in traffic and drive 3 hours home after all that is a bit much, especially after paying for the privilege. So a new stadium with a retractable roof that is a little closer to (my) home is a damn good idea in my book. I'd pay an extra $10 a ticket for it at least. How is downtown really any closer to Rochester than Orchard Park and the Ralph? A few minutes?
DCBongo Posted October 12, 2014 Posted October 12, 2014 I have only been to the Ralph a handful of times and before the recent renovations. The stadium is great. The location makes it easy to get to from the airport and lets face it, part of the game day appeal is the RV's/tailgating culture. Its like a college game. The stadium itself always had great sight-lines and with the improvements it would seem to be solid. As a tax payer in my own state, I am not a fan of giving money to billionaires who could afford to build on their own. It would be a good project to improve rail lines to the stadium from the Niagara and Rochester to make it easier to get to the stadium and reduce traffic congestion. Now, if you can keep the pros of going to the Ralph (tailgating) and create something that could be used year round (concerts, conventions, bowl games) then you can justify the use of public funds as revenues raised outside of football would benefit the community. With the purchase by the Pegulas this becomes a back-seat issue. The team is staying in Western NY and the current lease runs for the next decade. Time can be taken to see if a new stadium would make sense without the fear this is a make-or-break issue.
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