Kipers Hair Posted October 24, 2005 Posted October 24, 2005 What do the Bills do for me Personally? I'm sure many of you can echo this sentiment. The Bills bring people together. Even during my irresponsible youth, Sunday was a day that my Father and I came together. From his stories of listening to the Bills of the AFL on the radio or telling me about the likes of Gilchrist, Kemp and Sestak, the team was a lynchpin in an often contentious relationship. There was one time in particular. I had gotten arrested. I was nineteen or twenty. My father picked me up from the holding center in a furious rage on a Sunday morning. I sat in silence while he yelled. I think he screamed all the way until the one o'clock kickoff against Houston. We still watched the game together though. At first it was in a conspicous silence peppered with disparaging comments about Todd Collins. By the end of the game, we had both come to the realization that this too would pass. (Both my issues and the Todd Collins era.) On a community level... The Bills are the one thread that runs through most Buffalonians. They are a common denominator. We've cheered together and hung our heads in despair together. You can be anywhere in the world, meet someone from Buffalo and instantly know that he or she experienced the same crushing feeling when the Titans completed that illegal forward pass. You can look at that person and know that they understand what it's like to be part of something special, like a miracle comeback by a backup quarterback or the tearing down of goalposts after years of futility. It's sad that Red Dragon doesn't get it, because almost everyone else does. 485360[/snapback] Alright...sniffle...this is a compelling argument you pose...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted October 24, 2005 Posted October 24, 2005 The Bills aren't going anywhere, and people will still go to the games. Sorry Red Dragon. Or is it "the tooth fairy?"
Offside Number 76 Posted October 24, 2005 Posted October 24, 2005 This is an interesting angle. If the team is the only thing putting buffalo on the Map, that's sad. growing economies in Huntsville AL, Columbas OH, San Antonio, etc., do not need a pro team to get on the map. Economics is the vehicle for this city to grow - the pro team is a nice to have. I'll bet it could be argued that the Bass Pro Shops or even a Casino would do more for the denizens of WNY that the Bills.... 485200[/snapback] It is what it is. Despite the growth of Columbus and Huntsville, not many Americans think of those cities as large and successful. Cleveland and Cincinnati are both smaller than Columbus, but I'll bet if you asked most folks to name a city in Ohio, Columbus would not be the response much of the time. We do have other players on the Buffalo stage. JoAnn Falletta has landed the Philharmonic its first legitimate recording contract in a long time, and the University brings in a big name or two each year (look out for the Dalai Lama in 2006; that's large-scale). But are those "brand-makers?" No. Neither is an oversized retail store or a casino. (Is there a city left in America without a casino within suburb range?) NFL football, though, gives a city instant recognition. As far as the other city you mentioned--San Antonio--why else are they fighting so hard for the Saints? Are all those blue-and-silver-wearing Texans all of the sudden diehard Saints fans? Nope. It's about the recognition.
Kipers Hair Posted October 25, 2005 Posted October 25, 2005 It is what it is. Despite the growth of Columbus and Huntsville, not many Americans think of those cities as large and successful. Cleveland and Cincinnati are both smaller than Columbus, but I'll bet if you asked most folks to name a city in Ohio, Columbus would not be the response much of the time. We do have other players on the Buffalo stage. JoAnn Falletta has landed the Philharmonic its first legitimate recording contract in a long time, and the University brings in a big name or two each year (look out for the Dalai Lama in 2006; that's large-scale). But are those "brand-makers?" No. Neither is an oversized retail store or a casino. (Is there a city left in America without a casino within suburb range?) NFL football, though, gives a city instant recognition. As far as the other city you mentioned--San Antonio--why else are they fighting so hard for the Saints? Are all those blue-and-silver-wearing Texans all of the sudden diehard Saints fans? Nope. It's about the recognition. 485507[/snapback] I'll play along... I believe that the NFL franchise is only recognition to an NFL fan, (casual or "Bills" type). To an economist or Business type, the cities of interest are those with a vibrant economy or the ability to launch into economic viability...that would put fargo ahead of Buffalo for the purposes of this angle. Look - I love pro-football, but not for the sake of what it does for the area at all. I love the sport and everything that it takes to be a winning franchise. If Tuscaloosa FL had a Superbowl team - I would go to a game. If tuskaloosa had a job there that was attractive to me...I would move there. I don;t consider economics and NFL teams in the same playing field. Example, i moved to Dallas, (then left), for a career opportunity...The Cowboys being there meant squat. I was more attracted to seeing the UT/Oklahoma game once a year. Bills fans are a rare breed - if I were the academic type, I think it would be an interesting paper on WNY - how the fan base is so emotionally tied to the team. I would hazard a guess - IF this team were to ever pull up stakes and leave - I think a lot of people would leave the area as this team is keeping people there...and in many cases, presenting them from haveing a more economically "better" life... just my take on this topic...Now back to the Dragon....
MadBuffaloDisease Posted October 25, 2005 Posted October 25, 2005 Bills fans are a rare breed - if I were the academic type, I think it would be an interesting paper on WNY - how the fan base is so emotionally tied to the team. I would hazard a guess - IF this team were to ever pull up stakes and leave - I think a lot of people would leave the area as this team is keeping people there...and in many cases, presenting them from haveing a more economically "better" life... I doubt anyone is staying in Buffalo mainly because of the Bills.
Kelly the Dog Posted October 25, 2005 Posted October 25, 2005 I'll play along... Bills fans are a rare breed - if I were the academic type, I think it would be an interesting paper on WNY - how the fan base is so emotionally tied to the team. I would hazard a guess - IF this team were to ever pull up stakes and leave - I think a lot of people would leave the area as this team is keeping people there...and in many cases, presenting them from haveing a more economically "better" life... just my take on this topic...Now back to the Dragon.... 485916[/snapback] So in other words, the Bills are economically vital if not crucial to the area. Thanks for sabotaging your own argument. You're good.
Kipers Hair Posted October 25, 2005 Posted October 25, 2005 So in other words, the Bills are economically vital if not crucial to the area. Thanks for sabotaging your own argument. You're good. 485938[/snapback] Yes - that is what I was trying to say...I think Buffalo is a different breed of cat. from that perspective - the area needs the team to maintain it's population. If they left, people would indeed leave, (at least I think so). That said, people stay in the area when they might otherwise leave and better themselves financially...because of this team, (which i think goes against most economic models...). So no sabotage - perhaps poorly conveyed on my part...but my point is that you cannot make the economic argument for NFL franchises - even the normal things a franchise brings to an area don't float in Buffalo. When the Colts left indy...I don't think think anyone moved away from Baltimore.
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