Augie

The neighbors have been overheard warning others “don’t go there unless you’re serious about the game.” The word is out, and I’m good with that. I watch home alone with the dogs at my feet. That is a sign of maturity on my part. When we were first married my wife would take the kids and the nervous dogs for 3 hours walks. Kind neighbors would take her in on game days.

Apparently my YT Sunday Ticket did not auto-renew. In fact, it’s asking me to sign up again! WTH? Glad I don’t need it yet. I really thought I was OK. .

Sure, tax incentives, the airport (which is a huge driver) and all kinds of investments. What’s your point. What exactly are you suggesting, other than “investment”. You should have a say, since it would be coming out of your pocket. That’s the part people don’t like, and I don’t blame them since it’s often poorly managed. Are you saying they should have invested by doubling the cost? People have to buy what you are selling. What are we investing in, and who will pay for it? We have people complaining about taking the less expensive rout in OP, and it’s still too expensive. They can’t also complain that we didn’t spend twice as much downtown. That’s my point. Oh, and don’t look strictly at distances when you consider downtown Atlanta locations. We went to exactly one game at Turner Field, and you had better stick with the crowd. You can cross a road and find yourself in another world. It’s dangerous as hell once you get just a little south of the core area around Mercedes Benz Stadium. I don’t even like driving my car there.

A quick search comes up with 16 Fortune 500 companies in Atlanta as of 2024. Companies like Home Depot, Coca-Cola, UPS, The Southern Co and Delta Airlines are the reason for the growth. Having the busiest airport in the world is also a reason many people live here. I think the stadiums are more of a byproduct than a driver.

Atlanta grew because people came here for jobs (and lots of them) and can afford to pay for the amenities available. The reason we don’t have a stadium going in downtown is the extra BILLION$ that it would take to get it done. As I’ve said, downtown was my preference, but it’s not happening. I don’t understand complaining about it being too expensive, but we should have made it more expensive. We might want a Bentley, but we can reasonably afford a Toyota.

I agree to some extent, but there is also the matter of being practical. I’m not sure the bigger ideas were economically viable. People are complaining about the cost now and pushing back. How would it go if we doubled the cost? That would not result in a pretty outcome. I don’t know much about Patriot Place, but The Battery (home of the Braves) in Atlanta is awesome. All kinds of mixed use and it’s great 365 days a year. It’s also in the middle of a MUCH LARGER market at the intersection of I-75 and 285 (the belt-line) in the “right part” of town. (The old stadium was in the ‘hood.) It’s easy in, easy out and draws people from all over. There were a half dozen hotels in walking distance before it was built, and they have added a couple upscale hotels on site. It’s terrific, but I don’t see how or where WNY could pull off anything like that. .

So, they should have done it right and possibly doubled the cost, and it’s stupid to pay for the far more affordable option? If they had done it “right”, would you have felt better about paying far more? Or, is there just no winning with you? My preference was downtown, but it’s not happening so I’ll just be happy they are in WNY.

They still push the edge! I walked in there while getting my wife’s watch battery changed. It felt all nostalgic going in, it has that feel. I immediately realized it was NOT appropriate to take any grandkid who could read. It’s gotten raunchy. What was edgy then only had so far to go before it was TOO far. I mean, how far can you push it in a retail mall. The world is a very different place.

Was that a pound of incense from Spencer’s? With that and the black lights……whooooo

Why might they do a thing like that? How curious? Let me ponder that, and I’ll get back to you. Good luck.

Sometimes I wonder how the Browns have ANY fans left. I honestly think between the owner and the QB, I’d have to at least take a hiatus.

Sorry, random thought of the day here. When we lived in Sarasota it was always fun to go to a few games at the Trop. Funky place to see a baseball game, and an even stranger place to attend a bar mitzvah party. Friends and neighbors in SRQ would rent multiple Bluebird busses and throw the party in the stadium with appetizers and drinks in the press box followed by dinner in centerfield. You were supposed to bring the cap of your favorite team, and if you didn’t have a favorite team one would be assigned to you. Following dinner and all the speeches we played baseball complete with announcers and slow motion replays on the Jumbotron of my son making a diving catch. It was the most over the top thing I may have ever seen! I asked one of the staff if they ever rent the place out like that and she said it happened once a couple years ago. That was his brother. 😂 Obviously, these people are quite well off, and THEY REALLY LOVE THEIR BASEBALL!

Sorry, I honestly don’t think so. I wouldn’t stay there for any reason other than going to a game. It’s not a one night thing, but a few nights at most. I stay downtown or on Main St in Williamsville so I can walk around and not drive anywhere, especially after drinks. In my banking/lending days we always liked the longest lease terms possible, like 20+ years with Publix. First Union would make fun of hotel deals, where the lease on the room starts over every day. They can be shaky investments if you are in the wrong location. Why rent a room 20 minutes from stuff when you can rent in the middle of what you want to visit? If I did stay at a hotel by the stadium, I would spend only the night(s) necessary and spend the rest of my nights where I want to be.

I’ve been to games in Nashville 4-5 times, and it is a tremendous arrangement. Hard to believe they are replacing that stadium with a dome, but they are Nashville and it will be in high demand.

My point was, IF it were downtown you might be able to build something around it. Obviously that would have been much more complicated and expensive, but I love seeing games in cities like that. Not for the Bills, and that’s OK. You can’t build much of anything in the desert around the OP stadium. No offense (seriously), but it’s not because it would upset a bunch of locals. You can’t do it because it doesn’t make economic sense.

If they were building a brand new stadium where there had never been a stadium before, it’s a more difficult question. You might think the stadium would be the catalyst. The fact is, nothing has popped up near the existing stadium since 1973, so I doubt that will change much. My first choice was a downtown stadium because I love visiting other cities for games and being able to stroll to everything. I’m not complaining though, because staying in WNY was my #1 priority. You can’t always have it all.

I have never given up on a sports team, but the Buffalo Braves gave up on me. It took decades, but I eventually gave up on an entire professional sports league. I don’t even watch the NBA Finals now, though I do still enjoy college hoops (despite the portal is testing me). I don’t consider moving away from WNY giving up on the Sabres. There was no way to follow them back then, and eventually I gave up on hockey entirely. .

At least he didn’t punch a teammate in the head, like Michael Jordan. Some of the greats are wired differently and that is part of why they are so great. If you’re the GOAT they let you get away with this a bit more than if you are just a JAG.

Where is Roseann Roasanadana when you need her? 🤷‍♂️

I wonder how many Dolphins fans wanted Tua tested after that? 😂

Nobody knows this far out unless a hurricane is coming your way. You can get a cheap Bills colored poncho at Target in the camping section that is folded up smaller than a deck of cards. It’s a couple bucks well spent as a precaution.

We had a life size Mike Alstott cardboard cutout when he lived in Sarasota. Damn thing would scare the crap out of people! 😂

Those foods will getcha, but it’s what it get washed down with that will kill ya!

I will quote that because, well, I can. I used to see him pop up on TV in various places annoying me with NBA news (I loved the Braves, but don’t even watch the Finals now). He seemed fine, but I just wasn’t interested in his content. I am now a huge fan of this man. Enjoy the new gig, and the new life, sir! .

You are speaking directly to me! I worry about EVERY game! If there is one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s that you never take a Bills win for granted. INSANE things happen, and we shuffle away scratching our heads wondering how that just happened……