Bills Addict Posted September 24, 2005 Posted September 24, 2005 I just saw a commercial during the college football game for channel 7 Eyewitness News in Buffalo asking "Will a new stadium keep the Bills from moving? Sunday at 11". I'm just making this post to inform you guys of this special report about the future of the Ralph and the Bills in Buffalo. This commercial has aired a few times in the last hour so if you don't believe me turn on channel 7 and see for yourself.
Corp000085 Posted September 24, 2005 Posted September 24, 2005 Well the stadium is freshly renovated, ralph doesn't owe a dime on it (if my memory serves me correctly), and my personal opinion is that if the bills move, they will be moved out of his cold dead hands (and that won't happen... there is a contingency group in place, take my word for it)
UConn James Posted September 24, 2005 Posted September 24, 2005 Nope. The reason to build a new stadium is for luxury boxes, etc. that have little or nothing to do with the average fan. They had a really hard time selling the luxury boxes that were built opposite the big screen; I don't see how building more will make businesses and buyers that can afford such luxuries magically appear in the WNY region. Where they get the money is regular ticket sales; and to this tune, the Ralph is one of the biggest-capacity stadiums (and the refurbishing several years ago actually cut a couple thousand seats). Until the Ralph starts deteriorating beyond repair in maybe 20-30 years, the team would move before a new stadium is built. If the economic vitality of the team depends on a serious inflow of stadium-generated capital, people need to face facts that the numbers every other team crunches for how much more they'll make w/ a new stadium just don't apply to the WNY region.
bdelma Posted September 24, 2005 Posted September 24, 2005 WTF for. This stadium is top notch. Where is the funding coming from. Let that topic die!
bobblehead Posted September 24, 2005 Posted September 24, 2005 It was only one loss, jeesh! There are 14 more games left!
The Warden Posted September 24, 2005 Posted September 24, 2005 I just saw a commercial during the college football game for channel 7 Eyewitness News in Buffalo asking "Will a new stadium keep the Bills from moving? Sunday at 11". I'm just making this post to inform you guys of this special report about the future of the Ralph and the Bills in Buffalo. This commercial has aired a few times in the last hour so if you don't believe me turn on channel 7 and see for yourself. 452409[/snapback] I'm willing to wager the "Special Report" lasts less than two minutes and is only media hype to get tyou to tune in for much ado about nothing - RWS is a fine facility for Buffalo Bills fans (present and future) and the economic reality of what WNY and NYS "is" says that any new faciliyty will NEVER happen
Hot Pockets Posted September 24, 2005 Posted September 24, 2005 I just saw a commercial during the college football game for channel 7 Eyewitness News in Buffalo asking "Will a new stadium keep the Bills from moving? Sunday at 11". I'm just making this post to inform you guys of this special report about the future of the Ralph and the Bills in Buffalo. This commercial has aired a few times in the last hour so if you don't believe me turn on channel 7 and see for yourself. 452409[/snapback] OMG! We must be near the end ! This sounds __ DING ! Ham and Cheese . Gotta go. Fear Factor on FX.
buffalobillsfootball Posted September 25, 2005 Posted September 25, 2005 I would expect an article in Business First this week... just a hunch!
kasper13 Posted September 25, 2005 Posted September 25, 2005 Who would pay for a new stadium and where would it be located? In Buffalo & Erie County they, for starters, do not have two nickles to rub together and they take forever to get the smallest thing done. Property tax in Erie County is going up 50% over the next two years. They are cutting and getting rid of everything not tied down and there is still no money. They have been talking about building a new Peace Bridge since 1990. They still do not have the Casino that has been talked about for 5 years. Bass Pro is no closer to opening here than it was when announced over a year ago. The waterfront has gone undeveloped since the 1950's even though they have been talking about it for 50 years. Main Street has still not been reopened to traffic although that has been on the table for 3 years. If they start talking about it now, maybe they will get something done by the time the Bills do need a new stadium in 2030 or so.
buckeyemike Posted September 25, 2005 Posted September 25, 2005 Nope. The Ralph is still in good shape, especially with the renovations a few years ago. But it would be wise for the team and the county to start saving their pennies for 20 years down the road. Mike
Hammered a Lot Posted September 25, 2005 Posted September 25, 2005 No. Anybody got an extra ticket!!!
Fan in San Diego Posted September 25, 2005 Posted September 25, 2005 Much ado about nothing pretty much sums it up !
jester43 Posted September 25, 2005 Posted September 25, 2005 It was only one loss, jeesh! There are 14 more games left! 452449[/snapback] best answer ever to one of these threads.
nemhoff Posted September 25, 2005 Posted September 25, 2005 Nope. The reason to build a new stadium is for luxury boxes, etc. that have little or nothing to do with the average fan. They had a really hard time selling the luxury boxes that were built opposite the big screen; I don't see how building more will make businesses and buyers that can afford such luxuries magically appear in the WNY region. Where they get the money is regular ticket sales; and to this tune, the Ralph is one of the biggest-capacity stadiums (and the refurbishing several years ago actually cut a couple thousand seats). Until the Ralph starts deteriorating beyond repair in maybe 20-30 years, the team would move before a new stadium is built. If the economic vitality of the team depends on a serious inflow of stadium-generated capital, people need to face facts that the numbers every other team crunches for how much more they'll make w/ a new stadium just don't apply to the WNY region. 452417[/snapback] Uconn, Where's the fro bro? Bring it back because the new dude in the avatar just ain't cuttin it.
Bills Addict Posted September 25, 2005 Author Posted September 25, 2005 This thread was made only to let people know that channel 7 is going to discuss something many Bills fans are be interested in seeing on Sunday night. If some of you guys fragile psyches can't handle people rationally discussing the Bills needing a new stadium.......TOUGH S#%@!!!! This conversation is only going to intensify until a new stadium is built and new ownership steps in when Ralph dies and makes a commitment to keeping the Bills in Buffalo.
Just Jack Posted September 25, 2005 Posted September 25, 2005 Sounds like you have a stake in getting a new stadium built. Settle down, they are disscussing it rationaly, for this group anyways.
Mark VI Posted September 25, 2005 Posted September 25, 2005 If some of you guys fragile psyches can't handle people rationally discussing the Bills needing a new stadium.......TOUGH S#%@!!!! 452544[/snapback] Susan Banks is now posting on TSW.
Nanker Posted September 25, 2005 Posted September 25, 2005 This thread was made only to let people know that channel 7 is going to discuss something many Bills fans are be interested in seeing on Sunday night. If some of you guys fragile psyches can't handle people rationally discussing the Bills needing a new stadium.......TOUGH S#%@!!!! This conversation is only going to intensify until a new stadium is built and new ownership steps in when Ralph dies and makes a commitment to keeping the Bills in Buffalo. 452544[/snapback] First let me say, thank you Mr. Donaho for visiting our board. It's so nice to have you drop in once and awhile to float your latest long-term plans for ensuring the Bills welfare and your job security in the post-Ralph (the person) era. Let me assure you that the posters here do not as a rule hate your guts as much as you might think - given your track record of wins/losses (27/39) and lack of playoff games (0) during your tenure. If as you say "Channel 7 is going to discuss something many Bills fans are be interested in seeing on Sunday night" then by all means we will not stand in the way of such an important public discourse taking place. I would remind you however, that most Bills fans would be very much more interested in seeing their beloved Bills actually playing a game on Sunday night. We've long since abandoned any hope of seeing them play on Monday night. We've been repeatedly assured by League and Network officials that the likelihood of either event actually happening is directly proportional to the Bills Won/Loss record. That is what most Bills fans would appreciate you maintaining your focus on. Thanks again for stopping in. Please do it again, real soon - preferably after a long string of Bills wins. Too bad we can't pass you a nice crystal goblet of a cold crisp chardonay to go with your brie on toasted croissant. It adds immeasurably to the experience - the joie de vie - don't you agree? Could we interest you in a garbage plate perhaps?
KRT88 Posted September 25, 2005 Posted September 25, 2005 Both Buffalo and Green Bay did the right thing when they spent a fraction of the money to renovate their stadiums, rather than construct new ones. Buffalo and Erie County got a bargin price spendiung $78 million to basically re-create a 25-30 year old stadium was fantastic. It would cost $450-500 million to build a new one. Where would that money came from? The only weak part of the deal was the lease. When Ralph passes there is nothing to keep Buffalo in the area. That part should be re-done, making sure the Bills stay for at least the next 10 years, or have a buy-out in place that really makes it expensive to move the team. Otherwise, there is a good chance the Bills will be moved to a bigger market. Why would the Ralph need to be replaced? It contains over 200 luxury suites. It has high prices premium seats (in the two theaters), and a good number of club seats. The restrooms were upgraded and the aisles are wider enough. The capacity was downgraded making each seat more valuable The practice and training facilities are considered among the leagues best. There is ample parking around the stadium to generate extra funds. The location near two highways is helpful and limits traffic problems (let's face it was 20,000 cars you're gonna have traffic issues). The only upgrade that didn't happen was the creation of a pedestrian tunnel under Abbott Road.
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