May Day 10

I dont think NEF is ideal. It can be pretty rough. Abbott, Southwestern, and 20A are wide enough runs that provide for reasonable enough escapes. Seeing what I see with Sabres games (not the last 6 years or so when 75% of the arena bails in the 3rd period), a 65K football stadium SE of the arena would be a nightmare. I would almost guarantee traffic is being studied and a part of the final decision. Maybe they'll find its no big deal, or a couple solutions to roll people out of the viscinity quicker. IMO, you need 190 to be feeding directly off of major lots, as well as some sort of N/S Route 5 non-skyway type solution.

I havent done a Browns game... but Heinz Field, PNC Park, and Progressive Field are all tucked right in with multiple interstates and people can jump right into the arteries. The problem with Buffalo is people need to drive on Exchange St, Michigan St, Swan St, Ohio St, etc including many stoplights to get to an area where they can get on 190N or 190S. Chicago, I know is a huge public transit thing. Been to a few things there. St. Louis, no idea. Detroit, just googled it, and again, tucked in with interstates that will flush everyone out quick

I do not believe RW 'intended' to sell the team to Rogers. I believe they were always going to go out for auction on RW's passing. He did not want to get taxed on the sale, then get taxed on the inheritance. I do believe he wanted the infusion of un-shared cash first and foremost, and it also pleased his buddies in the NFL who has/had all the international aspirations. There is the 'regionalization' dream as well. I believe Ted Rogers intended on putting in a bid on the Bills, and this was going to be his foot in the door and dress-rehearsal for Toronto's readiness and eagerness for the NFL. To his surprise, the reception was lukewarm. A nice assist to Bills' mediocrity through the Jauron and Gailey eras. Wilson probably knew this and was fine with it. There was no Terry Pegula on any doppler and the Sabres had 'recently' been sitting there for a year+ without an owner only to be saved by a somewhat 'frugal' billionaire in Golisano. The WNY landscape was a bit bleak as far as bidders go. But yeah, Rogers' passing was large. If that empire was still consolidated and motivated to buy, they could have teamed up with MLSE/Jovi and really gave Pegula a challenge.

I think being a city with 250K is a negative and it isn't equipped to move huge volumes of traffic. A number of other downtown venues I have been at, sit right at a convergence of multiple interstates and routes out of there. The lots often empty out right at the bases of onramps. I once watched a simultaneous world series game and a concert flush out of Philly in less than 20 minutes. New Era Field isnt horrible because you have some major 4-lane streets right up against the lots, with plenty of runway before stoplights. Ability to go N, S, E, or W. Let's say hypothetically, you have it Southeast of the Arena. That is further from the 190, which is pretty much the singular route out of there. People get there from a number of narrow, often one-way streets and many stoplights. The parking lots that are there by the arena all empty out on the same "normal" streets that become gridlocked and the holdup flows back into the parking lots themselves. Parking ramp? Hope you packed a midnight snack. To the West you have the lake, and the South a boondoggle of the canal, industrial buildings, and railroad stuff. Getting to 190 to reach the skyway/Rte 5 seems silly as well. I also do not believe that any meaningful metro rail enhancements will be coming in order to move more people a more variety of places. The money they have is going to be spent on maintenance, as well as scouting an extension to UB North. I think it can be done... but would be quite an undertaking, and would need to add exit(s) for the 190, if not change the course of it. Also would need to enhance the roadway availability to the South and East. For Sabres games, many have their tricks they have adapted, but it is still pretty bad for 19K people. I used to park across from Pilot Field where the onramp to 190 was. Now I usually bring a small child and thats a bit of a tough, windy hike in the winter... and also, it seems that pre-game traffic has gotten really bad the past 3 seasons or so, no idea why. Trying to get to Swan St I get caught in traffic. Now I go to Louisianna Street and park either in the Sabres' lots or along Michigan Street. We normally leave early to beat traffic, especially on a weeknight.

Oh. Being in a car, it can take over an hour to get out of downtown. This is why people bolt from that arena all through the 3rd period, even in a close game. Maybe if they connect metro rail with Grand Island, it could work...

Have you ever tried to leave a Sabres game when everyone stays until the end?

Also, add in the NFL relocation fee, as well as the price of a new stadium. I also recall there to be some wording about not being allowed to even talk stadium anywhere but erie county, which made it extra sticky.

It always puzzled me when people gave wilson and brandon all the credit for the non relocation agreement, and have even seen it suggested russ brandon masterminded it and fooled everyone to save the bills. Generally the sides pull the other way and the county/state looking for the relocation fee and lease term as they potentially decrease the value of the asset. Wilson did agree to it, which was good. If the bills side wanted a strong NRA, ny and EC would have happily accepted a thousand year lease with a $3 trillion buyout. His passing was also right at the beginning of the NRA term which was also key in making an out of town purchase unattractive

Good for him. Heard him on the radio the past few years and his analysis and delivery are solid

Pick em up!

Yeah, I had to go to my smartphone to read it and kind of memorize what it said, and is why I didnt link it here. General theme was (more conjecture) that says things look like they may prefer to stay at 11 schools... and they may not really seek out another school or a list of candidates, but will listen if a school wanted to join. the exact quote from the AAC commissioner is: "Buffalo is a great school that's achieved great things in football and basketball, and theyve produced some great athletic directors in Warde Manuel, Danny White, and Mark Alnutt, but the last thing I want to do is put a bullseye on Buffalo and upset (MAC commissioner) Jon Steinbrecher."

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