New Era Cap HIres Russ Brandon - The Company Reverses Course

[fansince88]

8 hours ago, Augie said:

 

Hanging up would seem to indicate that. Can you say awkward? 

Tshhh tshhh. I cant hear you...Tshhh call back..click

[May Day 10]

6 hours ago, Augie said:

I don’t think we really know the “ratio” of how much his relationships “were” wrong vs “looked” wrong. I had a good guy who worked for me at a bank. He started dating a subordinate and they tried to be discreet for months. It became a little too clear to me, and they knew it. Rather than make a big deal of it, she found an equivalent position elsewhere. All was well in the world. 

 

They’ve been married 30+ years and I’m so happy for them. Not that you have to be married and live happily ever after, but they were adults and there was no coercion. Every situation should to be handled individually, but these days it’s just too hard to get past this stuff. 

 

I know nothing specific here, so maybe Russ deserves to be flogged, I don’t know. I just hate when the pendulum swings too far in either direction. 

 

The Pegulas never said that he resigned because of a inappropriate relationship.  That was reported by the media, but they also said that the Pegulas' deeper inspection into Brandon's performing his job was also a factor.

 

And I get the adult romance side/argument, but this has been a repeat thing through his tenure in bills management with multiple females, some married, he's married.  This likely didnt have the appearance of an office romance.  What women are sleeping with this guy anyways if he isnt president or paying them?

 

The Pegulas trusted him to retain him, and gave the ultimate trust vaulting him to the top of their sports empire.  This behavior is unnecessary and violates that trust.  It can create a bad working environment for many people, potentially cost millions of dollars and embarrassment, and even force them to sell the team(s).  It puts everything into question: raises, promotions, work assignments, bonuses, termination, etc.   After looking into this behavior, why cover for Russ Brandon (who allegedly lied to their faces after he was "caught")?  For what?  Last time I checked, just as many tickets were sold,  the revenue sharing check was the same, and the bills have some dumb slogan for the season once again.

[JMF2006]

3 hours ago, Fadingpain said:

Going from an NFL team to a baseball cap company only makes his involvement at a high level with the Buffalo Bills, for so many years, that much more embarrassing.

 

 

 

 

He did so little a President of the Bills

 

1)Negotiating a lease that was virtually a poison pill to anyone that would buy and try to move the team

 

2) Negotiating a sale of the team netting 1.4 B. for a team valued at 900m tops.

 

Thats just the big stuff, he also over saw the stadium renovations  among other things.

 

He wasn't a football guy he was and is an astute businessman.

 

I have no iron in the fire but to call this guy the worst thing to happen to WNY is an injustice and poor attempt to ignore what he did for our beloved team.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

In charge of making sure that stupid 5950 decals are properly placed and oriented on the 5950 caps.

Edited July 31, 2018 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[Bill from NYC]

Rumor has it that he passed on hiring stellar candidates at New Era and hired Aaron Maybin and Leotis McKelvin to help him beat the competition. 

Edited July 31, 2018 by Bill from NYC

[dollars 2 donuts]

I'm sorry, was THIS his grand plan in leaving the Bills/Sabres of his own volition, for no reason whatsoever other than needing a change?

 

His comments upon leaving were so ridiculous.  Own what happened.

 

EDIT:. That's right, even though Americans love second chances any conciliatory speech must invariably involve "changing my ways" comment which Brandon probably wasn't ready to do.

Edited July 31, 2018 by dollars 2 donuts

[26CornerBlitz]

7 hours ago, Romie said:

Let me guess...they're going to start selling condoms.

 

This technically qualifies as head wear so it will fit in the company business model. 

[Mrbojanglezs]

I'm surprised how quiet it's been there was no leaks of anything specific of what happened

[Royale with Cheese]

Russ: New policy for Administrative Assistant Appreciation Day.

 

[May Day 10]

2 hours ago, JMF2006 said:

 

He did so little a President of the Bills

 

1)Negotiating a lease that was virtually a poison pill to anyone that would buy and try to move the team

 

2) Negotiating a sale of the team netting 1.4 B. for a team valued at 900m tops.

 

 

 

You are essentially claiming Russ Brandon purposefully reduced the value of the Bills (that is what the NRA does in this case), and at the same time increased their value by 150%?

 

The standpoint of the team/franchise in lease negotiations is to reduce the lease terms and penalties.  Not add them in.  The County and State would have laughed and gladly taken a 100 year NRA if that is what Russ Brandon was secretly pushing that (rogue I guess without Littman/Wilson's knowledge).  We should be crediting Polancarz and that Duffy guy from the State.

The timing of Mr. Wilson's passing was pretty key and made everything "work out" as the paint wasnt dry on those boulders they put in as "renovations".  If he were to live and pass away in July of 2018, it would be a much different story and we would be cursing at the "buyout period" of that NRA, as it would be much more appealing for outside WNY buyers.  I would also argue that a lot of those renovations were a waste and a botch job, as that money would be better spent on the longer term solution (boulders, black paint, a new Bills store, a maze of walkways that zigzag)?

 

I also am unsure how much of Brandon's "negotiation" was needed to sell the team to Terry and Kim Pegula.  It was an auction.  Potential owners and their lawyers looked over the books, assessed their potential competition, and a large premium is added on to join the club of NFL ownership.  

 

Through the ownership changes, Brandon is a nobody.  Billionaires do what they do.  He didnt talk Terry Pegula into dropping an extra half billion on the team.  Additionally, Littman was the "real" proxy for Ralph Wilson, the other billionaire in the deal.  Things were not being done without his involvement, knowledge, or blessing.  If Russ Brandon could add a half billion dollars in value, he would have been hired long ago.

 

 

One thing Russ Brandon is lauded for, is 'working a room' when it comes to sponsors and/or business executives.  He is a manipulator, and can become a charming guy when the climate needs it, which is/can be useful in the corporate world.  New Era is going to tap into this and he will probably essentially be a salesman to try to cut deals with pro sports leagues and individual teams and other organizations (where possible).

IMO, he worked his tail off in his early days with the Bills with "Business Backs the Bills" and selling suites/premium suites for the (1999?) renovations.  Made a name for himself and also lighted the idea of moving training camp to his alma-mater and monetizing that.  This resulted in son-like adoration from Ralph Wilson and as a result, he was over-promoted and given the keys to the car, and to be honest, I don't think he was very good at driving it.  His huckster personality bought him some more years with the Pegulas.  

 

And all this is ignoring the long-time, cloudy/suspect influence he had over decisions that directly impacted the football team, and McDermott reportedly felt the need to ban him from being around.

 

Edited July 31, 2018 by May Day 10

[bobobonators]

Scale of 1-10 how awkward will it be when the Bills and New Era have promotion dinners/conferences and the Pegulas have to dine with Russ. 

[Cripple Creek]

9 hours ago, JinxedBill1 said:

Was he ever found guilty of the harressment?  

an internal investigation cannot assign guilt

11 hours ago, Lurker said:

F Tim Graham...

so the situation Brandon finds himself in is Graham's fault? sarcasm?

[apuszczalowski]

10 hours ago, JinxedBill1 said:

Was he ever found guilty of the harressment?  

In a court of law or the always more important court of public opinion?

[May Day 10]

There was not a criminal investigation for anyone to be found "guilty".  It was a business ethics/conduct (and performance) decision handed by the owners of a business, followed by a voluntary resignation.  

Edited July 31, 2018 by May Day 10

[Fr. Jerk]

13 hours ago, fansince88 said:

My best guess is the CEO doesn't want to talk about it.

 

He will if you sing and dance accordingly.

 

[eball]

1 hour ago, May Day 10 said:

There was not a criminal investigation for anyone to be found "guilty".  It was a business ethics/conduct (and performance) decision handed by the owners of a business, followed by a voluntary resignation.  

 

You're certainly defining the term "voluntary" liberally. 

[RiotAct]

13 hours ago, Buffalo716 said:

Hide your wives ?

 

13 hours ago, Gigs said:

Lock up your daughters 

 

 

Haha!   These were my exact thoughts when I saw the thread title 

[stony]

1 hour ago, bobobonators said:

Scale of 1-10 how awkward will it be when the Bills and New Era have promotion dinners/conferences and the Pegulas have to dine with Russ. 

I'm sure Russ will conveniently be "out of town on business" during these dinners/conferences.

[RoyBatty is alive]

13 hours ago, JoPar_v2 said:

I hear the CEO and Russ are buds so it makes some sort of sense, but the Pegulas (especially Kim) can’t be too thrilled with New Era here right?

No kidding, WTF it is like rubbing in in their face, i think there is something more to the story here.

[Beast]

Well, on his resume he claimed to know a lot about “head”.

 

New Era just didn’t know what kind and thought he’d be great for the hat business.