May Day 10

There was an article in yesterday's Buffalo News about this. Basically all the stuff and conjecture we already know... but: Alnutt provided a carefully worded statement about how UB is a proud member of the MAC and continues to look to improve its national status. And the commissioner of the AAC praising UB, but saying he doesnt want to say anything to indicate they are targeting a school and anger the MAC commissioner. The AAC has a meeting next week in Rhode Island to decide what to do.

My most preferable option is exactly as you describe and I often use Centurylink Field as the example/standard. It seems like we get the best of all worlds. It is unique, has a roof and protection from elements, outdoor, projects noise, and many of the creature comforts of a new stadium, but still game-centric. The costs are also fairly reasonable... roughly half of what building a Minnesota-stadium would cost.

They told me to grab the boxes and take them to a fedex location with my account # and just hand it over and they do the rest.

We'll see. I already got the return-equipment instructions and the stuff will be shipped back tomorrow. I chose Hulu, primarily because it is available on Amazon fire Sticks. Youtube TV isnt. I currently have 5 televisions equipped with Fire Sticks and I did not want to change everything over.

I tried to put my Directv account on hold for a couple months (which their website says is completely fine). The rep insisted I provide a reason and I told her its none of her business. So she wouldnt put it on hold so I told her to cancel the account. She cancelled with zero resistance. AT&T is awful. So I went with Hulu Premium, Netflix, and Prime.

Replay is the devil

Missing alice in chains unplugged is an egregious mistake. Probably top 5 Pearl jam live on 2 legs should have been on the list

Yes. They were not in on lamoriello, because they had botterill and housley. Yay It wouldnt have been illegal to make a change, but i doubt the sabres entertained it. I dont believe they would entertain it even if the position is available because lamoriello would not welcome input from people (pegulas) on personnel matters and coach selections. Lamoriello wouldnt accept a job where he didnt have control (and probably why he bailed on toronto). If its my team, and lou is available, i clear the deck for the opportunity to bring him.

Players will never be able to gain significant influence of NFL operations in a CBA. The NFLPA is incapable of holding out.

Its because they have a new owner, who gave lamoriello the clout to do anything he wants to fix the organization. Lamoriello would never agree to manage a team where the owner helps scout and interview potential players. The Islanders arent a desirable destination. Very poor arena and facilities.

The Islanders, mind you, have/had a history of being the biggest joke in the NHL for nearly a quarter century with clown shoe owners, Mike Milbury trading all star teams away, Garth Snow, playing some/all in that awful venue in Brooklyn, etc. They were in the process of likely losing a top-5 NHL player.

I dont believe the Sabres or Bills really covet guys like that in a serious manner, mainly due to a fear of disruption of their management structure.

it isnt about either. Much of it is about organizational credibility, and the ability to have control and success. No Coach or quality GM would come here with Ralph Wilson and Russ Brandon making key decisions, and cash to the cap philosophy. Same thing is with the Sabres. They have not had good management and little credibility. Last year, if Pegula decided to step further from the team, hand off the steering wheel with full autonomy, I have little doubt they could have landed Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz. Coaches and top execs don't want to come somewhere that obsesses about "collaboration" (AKA letting the owners play with the toys). You are going to get inexperienced guys and/or guys happy to get an opportunity

The bills in buffalo at this time and in the forseeable future are in no danger, and it is way premature and ill-informed to even speculate otherwise

It has been a slow cook, but hockey has taken strong root in "warm" markets The 1st overall pick 3 years ago is from srizona. This year, orlando. Another 1st rounder from anaheim, and the sabres' 2nd first rounder is from irvine, ca. San Jose has the country's largest mens hockey league. The usdp has reached an unprecedented level. There has been some good fanbases created out of thin air. Some failures too. The nhl's revenue has increased at a steady rate, and the league is very healthy since the salaries have been tied to revenue. With that said, the nhl will never be more than the 4th or 3rd north american pro sport (i feel like baseball (and i like baseball) in 50 years will go the way of horse racing and boxing.). People arent going to stanley cup watch parties, joining pools that are almost socially mandatory, and playing in 4 fantasy hockey leagues at once. The sport is just not accessible to the masses. Players are boring (basically every interview is a pre scripted cliche). The nhl also suffers from a very unimaginative board of governors and commissioner. Instead of trying to be like the other sports with stupid and couter productive coaches challenges and such (we need more scoring, but hang on for this 10 minute review to make sure his hangnail wasnt partially past the blue line when they entered the zone a minute earlier), they need to step out and make the nhl unique. No commercial breaks in-period. The nfl and mlb would kill to have the overseas appeal and opportunity the nhl has.... but the nhl does nothing significant.

It is not feasible. Seats are a mile away and fans would not have good value at all. You would have logistics for half the hockey season of building and removing an ice surface.

That is it. It isn't "Buffalo". They have zero credibility right now. Players have been writing their tickets out of here, some experienced a re-birth elsewhere. It is a poison well, stuck in neutral in the bottom 1-8 teams in the NHL. It will never hold the same advantages as the Rangers, Vegas, or the Florida teams for recruitment... but it can certainly be a destination if/when winning happens and it is a place where coaches and players can thrive, make the most of their careers and earning potential.

True.... and not many that can't just be housed in the Arena. I say it every time, but someone needs to build an amphitheater downtown, maybe on the outer-harbor. That would bring in more people downtown than a more-expensive football venue would

Yes. Im all about good beers. But what you are describing is what I call "Marathon Beers". Completely necessary for a Bills game day type of setting, or camping with the guys, etc.

It was amazing. 34 degrees and rain... but in the 3rd quarter, the temperature dropped like 20 degrees in 30 seconds. Hearing the waves of people screaming as their clothing froze solid is something Ill never forget. It was like a scene in A Day After Tomorrow

Although i understand the roof standpoint and wouldnt be devastated, i would much rather see open. Open with some roof to protect from the elements is fine. I assume that if it is indoor, it will be much closer to resemble detroit/ford field than minnesota or atlanta. Costs will be kept under control. When you see a game or highlights from the lions, it all seems so miscellaneous. Everything is the exact same. You can't tell anything about time of day, time of year, weather, etc. I don't like that and feel like all those things add so much to the flavor. When home games are brought up, i always remember the conditions.

Minneapolis/St Paul is 10x 'better' than Buffalo as far as being a 21st century, affluent city. I love Buffalo and often defend the region. But thoughts of a Superbowl here is laughable. Will Cardi B hang out at the Labatt House?

At least we wont have to hear speculation all season if/when the Pats are struggling

no. Not seriously considered. There are many more requirements than just an indoor stadium. Foremost, some kind of attraction to the area. I like the place, but Big Ditch Brewery isn't enough to impress the NFL's high-end clientele. There is also nowhere for the NFL to host all their pomp and circumstance throughout Superbowl week to 10 days You also need about 25K hotel rooms. We are more than 20K short of that

Barring a complete 25 year turnaround/resurgence, there will be no way Buffalo is ever considered for a Superbowl. Although it would be funny to see all the high end celebs have to come to Buffalo in February