May Day 10

I have mentioned it a lot, and it usually sees minimal to no response from the "Comeback game shouters"... but the way tickets are sold nowadays (instant and electronic) along with the ease of the resale market would nearly ensure 100% sellouts if/when the Bills ever get good... Just looking at the secondary market for tickets in (2009?) and (2011?) when they had good starts (for friends who "suddenly" wanted to go), the cheapest tickets were very expensive (like 200-400% more than face). Along with variable pricing, they would have to cap STH just like the Sabres IMO. The perceived demand continues to drive demand (and price increases), even through some bad seasons. Look at the Sabres. Couldnt sell out the Aud in 1992-1993 with the most exciting team in franchise history. Now look. Even with 2 playoff appearances in like 7 years. They also claim they have added 15% from Rochester and 15% from Southern Ontario since then. And the stadium is smaller.

I agree and this should have been done years ago. People trip over themselves usually for early games... especially if they start hot.

they came close to winning one more game than they came close to winning in 2012. Definitely worth the increase

Some Bills fans are actually upset about this and still clinging onto this idea? Its really amazing and interesting from a psychological standpoint

People at TBD arent the problem. We arent the fans that have been alienated long ago and/or bandwagoners. Generally, most of us buy tickets (and those who arent STH would probably buy more if/when December games mean something).

Why keep it alive at all?

isnt that just your speculation?

OK. so the Bills are only heading toward a decade and a half of failure because of Tom Brady. No wonder Buffalo as a region cant get out of its own way.

I think a large part of that, especially since the 2007 season is a weak Division. A ton of the Patriots' success in the playoffs has been based on them securing home playoff games (by the 5 or 6 cake-walks per season). They still definitely deserve credit, but it doesn't excuse the Bills from not making the playoffs in forever IMO. They still only finished 2nd one time and 6 straight last place finishes. These are the Jets and Dolphins too, who really haven't been too good either. Anyways, I do think the Patriots are ripe for the picking (and have been). Im hoping this is the year the Bills do it. I think they are close, but it is predicated on Byrd, Manuel improving, and having another good draft to go with the 2013 draft.

I would actually be much more comfortable with the suck if the team's future was stable. We are running out of time here. One or 2 good seasons and the swell of support and excitement will make it more difficult for the NFL to allow a relocation. As it is now, a lot of people are fairly apathetic towards the franchise

2000 2000 NFL AFC East 4th 8 8 0 2001 2001 NFL AFC East 5th 3 13 0 2002 2002 NFL AFC East 4th 8 8 0 2003 2003 NFL AFC East 3rd 6 10 0 2004 2004 NFL AFC East 3rd 9 7 0 2005 2005 NFL AFC East 3rd 5 11 0 2006 2006 NFL AFC East 3rd 7 9 0 2007 2007 NFL AFC East 2nd 7 9 0 2008 2008 NFL AFC East 4th 7 9 0 2009 2009 NFL AFC East 4th 6 10 0 2010 2010 NFL AFC East 4th 4 12 0 2011 2011 NFL AFC East 4th 6 10 0 2012 2012 NFL AFC East 4th 6 10 0 2013 2013 NFL AFC East 4th 6 10 Is that not monotonous? Wild prediction.... they will end up between 4-7 wins again this season. Something is broken there. This is a revenue sharing and capped league. To miss the playoffs and come in last or 2nd last place that many times is a huge mathematical long shot.

that could be it. I really do not think they sign the deal, only to axe it less than a year later. There were no revelations that came to light in that Atlanta game. It was the same crappy atmosphere and same result.

she has some awful eyebrows

it has always made me uneasy that she is the one who is the Bills' rep for the Toronto thing. Almost like it is predetermined she is going to land on her feet with the Toronto ______ NFL team.

There is definitely price changes coming with or without the Toronto series. My tickets are improving from no video board view to video board view.

I would trade the uncertainty with anyone, but would maybe think about Jacksonville because they lack the history/fans to perhaps save them in the long run. If you look only at football.... would probably take the Bills over Cleveland (who knows), Jax, Washington, Minnesota?

As a STH, Ill happily pay for an increase. Tickets are laughably cheap anyways... even for a team who hasnt won a playoff game in nearly 2 decades

its a breath of fresh air before they talk about quarterbacks that the Bills wont draft and who they know nothing about for 2-3 months

Good column. Sums up the current situation or lack of as well. Didnt realize the invoices are later this season than usual. Maybe something? Maybe nothing

the other show on 1270 (who doesnt have a business agreement with the Bills) had no trouble talking about this

Basically, yes. I dont know how "deep" the complaints go, I dont think there is all out conflict or anything... (or how factual Graham's column is). I just know Overdorf/Littman/Brandon are lock-step. If anything were to happen, we will see the Complainant resign or get canned at some point. Likely, things will quietly be smoothed out in-house and we wont hear anything more

I believe it is from close to, if not Marrone/Whaley. I would think Marrone only, because WHaley has been around and should be aware of the pecking order... but the mention of "scouts"... I believe Brandon is firmly in the corner of the power-brokers Wilson/Littman/Overdorf. He is a career-oriented man who has never waivered in his ability/desire to please his bosses. I dont see him tossing a grenade on his org. All IMO thoughts though

The Bills will hope this goes away quietly. Overdorf/Littman are not relinquishing power no matter what. Whaley/Marrone will be gone long before that happens. Really, it gets repeated, but the only hope we have is new (local) ownership with a new structure and new execs. It has been that way a long time. I think maybe if the media gets some blood in the water and it turns into a full blown fiasco could possibly force some changes that arent cosmetic (like we usually get).

I have gone over it before, and people feel the opposite... but here goes: -I do not think he sniffs his lofty status/title if it was not for the Bills/Wilson's situation. If he were to hit the market, what team is hiring him anywhere near CEO? -He is a "marketing genius", however, this team really isnt marketed very well at all, especially compared to other markets I have lived in. -His habit of kicking sand in the face of us fans whenever he can on the radio trying to justify the Toronto games. He even had to rub the "manufactured sellouts" thing in our faces... but never admits that the team being terrible for nearly a generation might have anything to do with it. In fact, he tries to head that off with pointing to a few December games 20 years ago when the team was good (but fails to mention the stadium was 80K, modern ticket brokering pushing event ticket industry, S Ontario and Rochester fans, etc). That is not good marketing -His rise through the organization seems correlated to their fall from relevance. Things are bad/worse, let's keep promoting Russ Brandon. The fans seem to trust him! -I thought his mouth ran a lot more last year and made a lot of statements he couldnt back up. Let's see how/if he handles this though. If he marginalizes O and L, I will likely change my tune.

This is very interesting and welcome. Its painfully obvious these suits in the shadows have had too heavy a hand in too many matters that affect winning. Shifting Brandon to "owner" really didnt do anything to quell the problem (if he isnt a major part of the problem himself). What do they do if this story becomes bigger? They will be exposed as frauds if Whaley and/or Marrone are dealt with (or quit). I dont see Overdork and Littman going anywhere...