BILLS02138 Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Let's go Buffalo Money well spent between the state and county. Get it done. ($5.45 million to replace the stadium's Sony video replay scoreboard for next season and the sideline ribbon message boards the following season.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammered a Lot Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Let's go Buffalo Money well spent between the state and county. Get it done. ($5.45 million to replace the stadium's Sony video replay scoreboard for next season and the sideline ribbon message boards the following season.) 821890[/snapback] I think the other 31 teams should kick in $32 million each for upgrades at the Ralph! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5 Wide Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 So are they simply going to replace whats there or go bigger and better I wonder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACor58 Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 They need 2 Jumbotrons, one for each endzone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leh-nerd skin-erd Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Let's go Buffalo Money well spent between the state and county. Get it done. ($5.45 million to replace the stadium's Sony video replay scoreboard for next season and the sideline ribbon message boards the following season.) 821890[/snapback] I love the Bills and would hate to see them go. But, on the other hand, $5+ million from Erie County's budget when the budget is a cluster*&^% to begin with has me asking "what's in it for the people of Erie County?". not just Bills fans, but everyone who lives there. what committment can we get from the Bills to staying in the market? how about a committment to stay at least the 12 plus years the new scoreboard is expected to last? and then, how about increasing the number of replays that we actually want to see over the course of 8 home games, or God forbid, 9 or 10? and, as they plan the premium customer interaction site to be the benchmark of incerased revenue, who's overseeing the plan to make sure this proposal works, where the last one didn't? And how about this----how about they sell the naming rights to the stadium and generate a little coinage there as well? how long does this current deal last? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5 Wide Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 I love the Bills and would hate to see them go. But, on the other hand, $5+ million from Erie County's budget when the budget is a cluster*&^% to begin with has me asking "what's in it for the people of Erie County?". not just Bills fans, but everyone who lives there. what committment can we get from the Bills to staying in the market? how about a committment to stay at least the 12 plus years the new scoreboard is expected to last? and then, how about increasing the number of replays that we actually want to see over the course of 8 home games, or God forbid, 9 or 10? and, as they plan the premium customer interaction site to be the benchmark of incerased revenue, who's overseeing the plan to make sure this proposal works, where the last one didn't? And how about this----how about they sell the naming rights to the stadium and generate a little coinage there as well? how long does this current deal last? 822074[/snapback] That money has already been allocated to the budget per the lease agreement with the county. The Bills are simply shifting the money from the stadium maintanence funding for this project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leh-nerd skin-erd Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 That money has already been allocated to the budget per the lease agreement with the county. The Bills are simply shifting the money from the stadium maintanence funding for this project. 822095[/snapback] I appreciate what you're saying, but moving money from stadium maintenance doesn't create the money needed for the changes proposed. it has just been reallocated from another budget item. and, so, the next logical question is "what about stadium maintenance previously identified as a $5million item?". was it not needed? if so, why is it in the budget to begin with? can we put it the original maintenance items off for a year, and if so, at what cost? this quote from a Buffalo News Article sums it up for me: Ignoring warnings, the County Legislature routinely approved County Executive Joel Giambra's budgets despite their lack of recurring revenues to pay recurring costs. we're moving money from different piles, but we still don't have the money to cover the needs. anyway, it's politics as usual, and they're not the first to spend money they don't have. the bills leaving would break my heart, so whata re you going to do. i think we need more creative thinking into the way we finance stadium and issues related to the Buffalo Bills, but honestly don't have any answers. then again, it's not my job to figure it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toeknee24 Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 I appreciate what you're saying, but moving money from stadium maintenance doesn't create the money needed for the changes proposed. it has just been reallocated from another budget item. and, so, the next logical question is "what about stadium maintenance previously identified as a $5million item?". was it not needed? if so, why is it in the budget to begin with? can we put it the original maintenance items off for a year, and if so, at what cost? this quote from a Buffalo News Article sums it up for me: Ignoring warnings, the County Legislature routinely approved County Executive Joel Giambra's budgets despite their lack of recurring revenues to pay recurring costs. we're moving money from different piles, but we still don't have the money to cover the needs. anyway, it's politics as usual, and they're not the first to spend money they don't have. the bills leaving would break my heart, so whata re you going to do. i think we need more creative thinking into the way we finance stadium and issues related to the Buffalo Bills, but honestly don't have any answers. then again, it's not my job to figure it out. 822117[/snapback] The stadium desperately needs these improvements along with added/improved bathrooms & more tv's in the concourse areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apuszczalowski Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Are you sure Erie County is covering the money? Maybe Ralphs wife won at Bingo last night, or he was just approved for a Citi Bank Visa Gold Card, Or he is hoping this year Ed McMahon comes to his door with the Publishers Clearing house sweepstakes. I believe that it is part of the deal in the lease with Erie County that they kick in some money for upkeep of the stadium since technically they own it. And why not, the Bills generate income into Erie County, if Erie County doesn't want to support them, why should the Bills stay there? As for the naming rights, who is going to be willing to buy naming rights to that stadium? A local company? I doubt a big national company is going to want to pay big $$$$$ to have the naming right to an outdated stadium in Orchard Park, Home to a rebuilding team. Ralph is the one losing money from having his name on the stadium, and I for one prefer to see a stadium named for something else other then a corporation. It hate seeing names of arenas and stadiums being changed every couple years depending on what company wants to spend the cash to advertise on the building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 I think the other 31 teams should kick in $32 million each for upgrades at the Ralph! 821922[/snapback] Considering that it is 31 years old, they should rather be building a new stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leh-nerd skin-erd Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 The stadium desperately needs these improvements along with added/improved bathrooms & more tv's in the concourse areas. 822157[/snapback] there was a building up along military for years near kenmore that desperately needed to be demolished. along the way, countless kids got into it, and two died in there when they fell through grain shoots, etc. the problem was, there was no money to get it done. that's desperation in my opinion. maybe i'm on the wrong track here. is the $5m investment in the infrastructure offset by the money the Bills bring into the community? there's got to be some hard data as to what type of infusion of capital the bills bring in. if we spend $20 million to generate $25 million in revenue, then i bow out gracefully. however, on pen and paper, we're stil spending money we don't have. unfortunately, in ny politics, we talk about desperation and needs and what's good for whomever and we don't have the money to spend. so, we spend money we don't have and are surprised when our taxes go up or services disappear. next post for the man taking the handicapped spots: as for naming rights to the stadium, it's a way to generate revenue. it's done everyday, and while i agree it would be nice if it wasn't it is. and, i don't know which company might be interested, but submit it should be explored. if we were flush with cash, fine, but when one of your overriding concerns is revenue, the options should be explored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leh-nerd skin-erd Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Considering that it is 31 years old, they should rather be building a new stadium. 822165[/snapback] with or without a committment from the team to stay, and for how long? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 with or without a committment from the team to stay, and for how long? 822179[/snapback] I understand that the way the economy is, it is kind of hard to build a brand new stadium and be left stranded 5 years later... It is kind of a catch22 situation. The Eerie County/City of Buffalo has to take that risk to keep a NFL team, hoping that the bills will be able to remain in Buffalo and be competitive. I think the biggest thing blocking from that point is Wilsons age and his intention to sell the team. THe buyer of the team is not under any obligation to keep the team in Buffalo and I am sure Wilson is not going to add that contingeny in any agreement with the county/city to reduce his number of buyers. If you do a good job and make people happy, people will come to you, not leave you. The bills MUST do what the Bengals, Steelers, Browns have done. They are playing in the oldest stadium in the NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syhuang Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 The bills MUST do what the Bengals, Steelers, Browns have done. They are playing in the oldest stadium in the NFL. 822188[/snapback] Wrong, Ralph Wilson Stadium was opened in 1973 and is only the 10th oldest among NFL stadiums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apuszczalowski Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 What stadiums are older then? (not trying to make a point, just out of curiosity for myself) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syhuang Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 What stadiums are older then? (not trying to make a point, just out of curiosity for myself) 822252[/snapback] For example: Lambeau Field: 1957 Alltel Stadium: 1946 3COM Park: 1960 Network Associates Coliseum: 1966 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 For example: Lambeau Field: 1957 Alltel Stadium: 1946 3COM Park: 1960 Network Associates Coliseum: 1966 822254[/snapback] Lambeau Field went through a big renovation project which was almost like rebuilding it into a modern arena.... Alltel, 3com park and NA coliseum are in the same league as Ralph Wilson Stadium...They are old and should be replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syhuang Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 Lambeau Field went through a big renovation project which was almost like rebuilding it into a modern arena.... Alltel, 3com park and NA coliseum are in the same league as Ralph Wilson Stadium...They are old and should be replaced. 822279[/snapback] Whatever, Ralph Wilson Stadium is NOT the oldest NFL stadium as you claimed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leh-nerd skin-erd Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 I understand that the way the economy is, it is kind of hard to build a brand new stadium and be left stranded 5 years later... It is kind of a catch22 situation. The Eerie County/City of Buffalo has to take that risk to keep a NFL team, hoping that the bills will be able to remain in Buffalo and be competitive. I think the biggest thing blocking from that point is Wilsons age and his intention to sell the team. THe buyer of the team is not under any obligation to keep the team in Buffalo and I am sure Wilson is not going to add that contingeny in any agreement with the county/city to reduce his number of buyers. If you do a good job and make people happy, people will come to you, not leave you. The bills MUST do what the Bengals, Steelers, Browns have done. They are playing in the oldest stadium in the NFL. 822188[/snapback] to take the risk, the reward should be calculated to have a very high probability of reality. ralph is pretty old, so we have a short term isue to contend with, the ramifications of the gamble not paying off would be disastrous to the taxpayers of Erie county. My concern is that when you fund something major based on the emotional involvement of the communtiy, you have to be sure the financial side makes sense as well. It's like comitting to a marriage with a good looking woman, pledging undying love and honor, but she'll only give you a 24 month window on her side. In fact, it's a lot like that. because if the calculated gamble is taken, and then the Bills move to Boise, you're left holding the bag with a stadium with a really cool scoreboard that will only be used when the eagles decide to take their next reunion tour. we shall see. i do respect your perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apuszczalowski Posted November 1, 2006 Share Posted November 1, 2006 I don't think Buffalo will see a new stadium or Major renovations to bring it up to the new NFL stadiums Levels until Ralph no longer owns the team only because of the uncertainty of new ownership. I can almost guarantee that any new owner will probably have something in the purchase agreement that says a new stadium will need to be built (or atleast MAJOR renovations along the lines of what Chicago did to Soldier field) for the new owner to guarantee keeping the team in WNY. Look at Golisano and the Sabres, part of his agreement was that he gets HSBC arena and upgrades it as part of the deal for the Sabres, and HSBC arena is not old at all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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