May Day 10

If Ralph sells the team, say next Summer, and he was already paid out, and they lose 4 home games over the following 4 years to Toronto, doesnt that make the team less appealing? Edit: Wouldnt be surprised to see Rogers take a light buy-out since their aspirations for the Toronto NFL team would be done at that point.

the terms of the Toronto deal may not make it any more difficult. We just dont know yet (and may (hopefully) never know). it could just as easily have a 'right of first refusal' clause on the purchase of the team and the $ up front is a down payment. Maybe Ralph's estate gives back a prorated amount.

the Sabres lose money. The owner doesnt care. He wants to win. As a result, they are able to raise prices and people are spending more. With a more favorable CBA, they might make money. The team markets better in print, on TV, and amongst the NHLPA. Then you have Russ Brandon who during his self promoting P.C. borrowed the same exact lines that Pegula used when he bought the team. It is all B.S. It is also nearly impossible to lose money in the NFL

So Brandon sells out the stadium on a constant basis, but Buffalo is too poor and insignificant to support anything nice. Dont tell that to the Sabres or their fans though because they are marketing the right way, by giving the fans pride in the team and themselves, not constantly driving home the image that that are inferior.

I would rather a price increase and them making the preseason games "free". mentally that would be better.

it sounds like people are arguing for the team to move. While the Sabres try to sew good will with the fans and know how to strike the right notes. They sell millions of merchandise in days coming off the lockout, and also pretty much sell out the season. I also notice many new sponsors inside the arena. Thats what effort brings.

let's see what the terms are. Word was they wouldnt be willing to come close to the last deal they took a bath on

didnt think i would like white helmets. Im relatively very happy with the current kits. WOuld like to do away with the rugby polo collar though

I thought Ralph's monetary influence was gone, and winning was the only thing that mattered in the "Brandon era" (which really started the day Donahoe was sent packing). all smoke and mirrors

Buffalo + Toronto isnt happening. Do you guys read the press up there or speak to actual Canadians? they want nothing to do with the Bills unless it is their own team Unless they were already Bills fans, and they hate the series too and prefer games in WNY

there is no way Russ Brandon fires himself. Only hope is a new owner and a house cleaning, if and when that happens...

you mean the terrible economy that casually dropped multiple millions of dollars in just a couple of days at the Sabres Store, coming out of a lockout and a non playoff year, right after the holidays? Brandon's committment to winning was all BS, like everything else he spins. Players hate it, it sacrifices competitive advantage for an easy payout.

no. Im fine with looking at the sticks.

all I know is, there is a direct correlation of Russ Brandon's ascent up the Bills' organizational chart, and the organization's descent into a pathetic, hopeless mess.

its notre dame, so they wont go far

i didnt see a whole lot of Clemson this year, but Boyd and Hopkins just went and took the Chick Fil A Bowl from LSU. Boyd got hit like 70 times and the LSU defenders were the ones getting hurt.

he did (steal) the reason for existence is winning statement. And said everything they do is to end the crap of the past 13 years and create a winning organization. To me, continuing the Toronto Series is completely opposite. It is an easy and cheap payday for the bottom line. And moreso, it negatively affects "winning". If the team was competitive, I think they would make up the profit "the hard way", at least most of it. That would certainly provide more regionalization than that abomination of a game/event held up there. now if there is no more series and the hire someone like Chip Kelly, R Brandon has my attention.

will this end the Toronto deal? It was a boon to Wilson's pocket book and now he has no say. Wood spoke out against it, Im sure other players and coaches hate to sacrifice the edge of a home game. I think Brandon would scrap the game. "No stone unturned", right?

well it sounds like winning is very important for Brandon... so Id expect them not to give up a home game every season in Toronto.

I could get behind/believe this

I really think Brandon has been calling the shots for years as it was. . I also believe Nix was retained for another "bullet in the chamber", so they can scapegoat him at the end of next season to placate the fans while preserving the Overdorfs, Brandons, and Littmans awhile longer.

He wont leave Boise IMO. He has a great thing going and I believe I heard that he basically wrote off ever leaving for the NFL. I really dont think a top college coach will come to Buffalo. They typically will want a lot of say in football operations... and we currently have 3 or 4 guys vying for the decisions as it is. I would like Peterson, Les Miles, Stanford's HC, bo pellini, and the dude who just left wisconsin. chip kelly too.

what was preventing him from doing all this before? What has really changed today. It is all BS designed for the weak minded.

this guy slings crap like it is going out of style

yes. the organization has become a bit of a joke, and it is correlated with Brandon's ascension.