Should the Bulls and NYS pair with the Bills?

[Peace Frog]

An interesting article about this very subject can be found here.  Mods, please merge if no one has posted this link.

 

So did you hear, the Bills want a new stadium in Orchard Park, or they are going to leave for San Antonio....

© ubbulls.com

Or so the story goes.

Things got more interesting recently when UB Athletic Director Mark Alnutt made it known UB is interested in pairing with the Bills on this venture. His conditions are that it be on or proximate to the UB North campus. Where the cost would be close to the same as Orchard Park, but the UB community would have walking access for game days.

Of course maybe, with the right package, SUNY could be tempted in pairing up with the Bills for a downtown stadium and this is a negotiation. Negotiation strategy is not my thing, Conrad recently had some interesting throughts worth a read.

So here’s my thoughts on the matter.

Edited September 30, 2021 by Peace Frog

[PromoTheRobot]

Makes too much sense so it likely won't happen. FYI the proposed cost of building at/near UB was the same as OP: $1.4B. There isn't as much open land where you could build but they could tear down the current mausoleum called UB stadium and build on that footprint. UB could play in OP until completed. To me it's a win-win. Maybe putting a roof on is back on the table too.

[letsgoteam]

What would they do with the training facilities that they just put in at OP?  Would the Bills use that (and the current stadium ) for training camp, or does everything basically get abandoned or demo'd?

[msw2112]

While I would love to see UB and the Bills partnering on the deal, I just don't see the synergies.  First, the Bills sell out most of their games.  UB is a MAC school and doesn't have a big football history.  They just don't draw that many people, so they'd be playing in a stadium that was 80% empty.  That's not going to be impressive to recruits and athough there's some "chicken and egg" theory here, not something that is attractive to fans.  The atmosphere will be lacking. 
 

The second piece is location.  UB wants to have its stadium within walking distance of campus.  Having attended a university with a major D-1 football program, I can see why this is important.  Many college kids don't have cars, Uber/cabs are too expensive, public transportation in Buffalo is limited, and who wants to take a shuttle to get to a football game?  Games are usually Saturday afternoon, so college kids want to roll out of bed, have a few beverages with their friends, and then head over to the game.  Moreover, the UB site does not appear to be of interest to the Bills.  They have invested heavily in their faciltiies in OP, plus the land is readily available in there.  They may have other reasons to dislike the UB site.  I no longer live in Buffalo, but I am from the northtowns and usually stay in that area when I visit Buffalo, so a Bllls stadium there would certainly be more convenient for me and the people I would go to the game with (many of whom live near there), but I see it as being too sterile and a bad fit for Bills games.  I'd rather make the trek to OP.  

Edited September 30, 2021 by msw2112

[LeGOATski]

What year is this...1954?

[nkreed]

I think that there's a great little site opening up that would be within walking distance of BOTH campuses! The boulevard mall. The traffic would be impossible, but that's not the exercise here. Expansion of the metro rail to the North campus should be included, as a cherry on top. There's some massive infrastructure issues on NFB near the location that have long been delayed, based on how busy the road is.

 

 

[LeGOATski]

11 minutes ago, letsgoteam said:

What would they do with the training facilities that they just put in at OP?  Would the Bills use that (and the current stadium ) for training camp, or does everything basically get abandoned or demo'd?

I imagine they would still practice there a lot and then bus over to the stadium for some practices/games.

[Beast]

If UB is involved they had better make a jump to a bigger conference.

[letsgoteam]

Just now, Beast said:

If UB is involved they had better make a jump to a bigger conference.

Dont know if UB would. However with Texas and OU going to the SEC, stuff is going to go down so now is the time to jump to a bigger conference. I have zero idea the reality of it.

[Motorin']

6 minutes ago, nkreed said:

I think that there's a great little site opening up that would be within walking distance of BOTH campuses! The boulevard mall. The traffic would be impossible, but that's not the exercise here. Expansion of the metro rail to the North campus should be included, as a cherry on top. There's some massive infrastructure issues on NFB near the location that have long been delayed, based on how busy the road is.

 

 

 

Lol! Why not build it at the Apple Tree mall and throw in $1 movies! 

[BarleyNY]

46 minutes ago, msw2112 said:

While I would love to see UB and the Bills partnering on the deal, I just don't see the synergies.  First, the Bills sell out most of their games.  UB is a MAC school and doesn't have a big football history.  They just don't draw that many people, so they'd be playing in a stadium that was 80% empty.  That's not going to be impressive to recruits and athough there's some "chicken and egg" theory here, not something that is attractive to fans.  The atmosphere will be lacking. 
 

The second piece is location.  UB wants to have its stadium within walking distance of campus.  Having attended a university with a major D-1 football program, I can see why this is important.  Many college kids don't have cars, Uber/cabs are too expensive, public transportation in Buffalo is limited, and who wants to take a shuttle to get to a football game?  Games are usually Saturday afternoon, so college kids want to roll out of bed, have a few beverages with their friends, and then head over to the game.  Moreover, the UB site does not appear to be of interest to the Bills.  They have invested heavily in their faciltiies in OP, plus the land is readily available in there.  They may have other reasons to dislike the UB site.  I no longer live in Buffalo, but I am from the northtowns and usually stay in that area when I visit Buffalo, so a Bllls stadium there would certainly be more convenient for me and the people I would go to the game with (many of whom live near there), but I see it as being too sterile and a bad fit for Bills games.  I'd rather make the trek to OP.  

The only way it should be seriously considered is if UB is going to try to invest in and build up their football program.  That means top notch facilities and paying coaches real money.  The current college conferences are changing dramatically and some will be gone soon.  That makes this a great time to try and bring a team like the Bulls into prominence.  I don’t think they will try and there is a real possibility of failure even if they do.  For instance, I’m not sure the alumni and other fans would jump on board with the college game anyway.  But everyone loves a winner so it’s possible.

[Saxum]

1 hour ago, msw2112 said:

Uber/cabs are too expensive, public transportation in Buffalo is limited, and who wants to take a shuttle to get to a football game?   

 

Anyone who wants to go to a Washington game due to "safety".  If you do not pay to park you need to pay for a shuttle bus.  You cannot be dropped off, walk or use a bicycle. 

 

I can understand fans being favor of "anyplace but Orchard Park" (See same fans supporting downtown, UB and Niagara Falls) who do not tailgate but lots of fans not screaming will not be moving to stadium elsewhere.

[RiotAct]

56 minutes ago, nkreed said:

I think that there's a great little site opening up that would be within walking distance of BOTH campuses! The boulevard mall. The traffic would be impossible, but that's not the exercise here. Expansion of the metro rail to the North campus should be included, as a cherry on top. There's some massive infrastructure issues on NFB near the location that have long been delayed, based on how busy the road is.

 

 

lol, the Boulevard Mall is not within (reasonable) walking distance of South Campus.

[DrDawkinstein]

No to the stadium being in Amherst.

 

Yes to UB moving their games to a new downtown, domed stadium.

[RiotAct]

9 minutes ago, BUFFALOBART said:

Just move the UB North Campus, to Orchard Park.

I mean it basically looks like a Legoland anyway, so how hard could it be to “lift and shift”?

[Chandler#81]

1 hour ago, letsgoteam said:

What would they do with the training facilities that they just put in at OP?  Would the Bills use that (and the current stadium ) for training camp, or does everything basically get abandoned or demo'd?

Break it down. Move it. Set it back up.

Its just girders and aluminum.

[Saxum]

11 minutes ago, RiotAct said:

lol, the Boulevard Mall is not within (reasonable) walking distance of South Campus.

 

There is nothing in move the Bills to UB thread which is reasonable so why should that be?

This is from alumni of UB.

 

Northern Virginia Bills Backers Annual Tailgate this coming weekend at Jimmy's Old Town Tavern with UB alumni association.

https://www.jottnew.com/uploads/4/9/1/4/49145785/jimmy-s-tailgate-party-special_orig.png

13 minutes ago, BUFFALOBART said:

Just move the UB North Campus, to Orchard Park.

 

I understand ECC South may have some land free.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

1 hour ago, letsgoteam said:

What would they do with the training facilities that they just put in at OP?  Would the Bills use that (and the current stadium ) for training camp, or does everything basically get abandoned or demo'd?

Everything could move or they just make op their corporate office and practice facility.

[BigAl2526]

I don't think UB should join in efforts to build a stadium in Orchard Park.  I think that the University has an obligation to keep games somewhat student friendly.  I assume a significant number of students don't have cars, and getting to games in Orchard Park could be a headache.  On the other hand, I think the idea of building a stadium near UB's Amherst campus deserves a close look.

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

3 hours ago, Peace Frog said:

Should the Bulls and NYS pair with the Bills?

 

Why would a Chicago-based NBA team want to pair up with the Bills?