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At-Risk Sports Teams: Buffalo Bills Mike Schuster Jul 14, 2009 8:50 am Bills' future looks as dismal as the Buffalo weather. Which of the following tasks would you least trust to a 90-year-old: (a) serve as president pro tempore of the US Senate, (b) deliver offbeat opinions on 60 Minutes or © own and manage an NFL team? Buffalo Bills owner and founder Ralph Wilson has a stranglehold on the franchise and refuses to give up the captain's chair -- even though he's 10 years shy of a personalized greeting from Willard Scott. While his dedication is to be commended, many of his management decisions have cost the team dearly. Fifteen years after their fourth consecutive Super Bowl loss -- cementing their reputation as the bridesmaids of the NFL -- the Bills find themselves struggling in the small Buffalo market. Despite sellout crowds for every game last season, ticket prices at the 36-year-old Ralph Wilson Stadium remain among the lowest of any NFL team. If they were more expensive, management would lose the only excuse it has left for not updating the rundown arena. And Wilson is known for his excuses. He's long lamented the dire financial situation of the team, even going so far as to threaten to move the franchise to Seattle in the early '70s if the city didn't pony up cash for a new stadium. It did. In 1988, he argued he wouldn't "get enough money to buy enough seats" if he sold naming rights to the stadium -- and that the venue ought to bear his name instead. It does. He complained that last year's bargaining agreement prevented smaller teams like the Bills from making a profit, and demanded the NFL commissioner give him a seat on the NFL committee. He did. But where has all of this left the Bills? Forbes has questioned Wilson's stubborn refusal to sell the stadium's naming rights -- a move that senior business writer Michael Ozanian claims would generate $2 million to $4 million per year. In September 2008, the magazine ranked the Bills the twenty-seventh most valuable of the NFL's 32 teams. Revenue last year stood at $206 million, just $11 million higher than the Minnesota Vikings, who are dead last. But it was Wilson's alternative plan for driving new revenue that had players and fans scratching their heads. In 2007, Wilson struck a deal with Canadian media mogul Ted Rogers -- founder and CEO of Rogers Communications (RCI) -- to lease the Buffalo Bills for 8 games over a 5-year period to Toronto's Rogers Centre for $78 million. The downside: It was in Canadian dollars. The deal -- which was disclosed last year during Rogers' first-quarter report -- was the first of its kind for the league, and may pave the way for similar agreements in the future. Although the average ticket price in Toronto is roughly triple that of a Buffalo ticket (at the current rate of exchange), with only 2 games played so far, it's unclear whether the deal will be a lucrative one. With Wilson refusing to give up the Bills until after his death, it ought to be interesting what money-making schemes are in store for the troubled team once he reaches senility.

The idea that we would wait for his departure is so symbolic of all that is wrong with WNY - hate what you now have, mourn for it when it's gone.

We all know that the Mayor was performing a cheap PR stunt when he gave TO the key to the City. But it raises the question, especially on the 50th anniversary of the Bills in Buffalo and Ralph's HOF induction this year - what is this town/Mayor going to do for Ralph to honor him? Does 50 years of loyalty to the City count for anything or do we reserve our honors for only the flashy free agent signees? I know many of you resent Ralph for his wealth but, as he stated in a recent interview, several of his colleagues told him over the years he should move the team from Buffalo. Is Ralph worthy of honors from the City or does this not fit the Mayor's criteria? And if the City will not honor him now, when will they?

I agree. But even if the price doubled I'd still fork it over to watch my Bills from home as opposed to going to a bar.

I like your entrepreneurial spirit! Didn't think of that angle.

Hope this wasn't already posted. Over the weekend I received a mailer from DirecTV advertising the Sunday Ticket upgrades for 09: - All games in HD - All games available on your PC - All games available on your mobile device (blackberry, etc.) The mailer did not explain how to activate the PC and blackberry access options. Anybody know how this is done? I've never figured out how to receive video on my blackberry.

I don't have the answer to the original question - only time will tell. But my fear is that most of us (me included) consistently overrate our talent level vis a vis the rest of the league. Every year at this time our roster looks pretty good on paper, then we end up out of the playoffs.

I've been gone for about 8 years now and here's my lists What I miss (in this order): 1) The feeling of being "home" 2) Bills season tickets/home games & the Sunday morning drive down Southwestern headed to the stadium 3) Actually caring about the Sabres/ice hockey 4) Fall - the colors and cool crisp air 5) Mighty Taco 6) Decent pizza & wings (Pizza Junction 10 lb. pizzas come to mind) 7) No traffic whatsoever or waiting in lines 8) The first snowfall 9) Weber's mustard available in the store any time you want it 10) The small town feel and "the little us vs. the big them" mentality 11) Labatts What I don't miss: 1) Grey skies almost all the time 2) Potholes 3) Rust on cars 4) Shoveling snow/the cold 5) Small-minded people (union/"the man's out to get me" mentality) 6) Requiring my winter driving skills

Considering that the Bills are perenially out of the playoffs, I find it amazing that so many Bills fans measure the quality of a given draft simply by the number of starters that come from it. If your drafts result in new starters that never make the playoffs, were your drafts really that good?

The league has a number of critical reasons not to call into question the Pats' Super Bowl victory - only one among them is the very legitimacy of the league itself. To use the NFL's affirmation of the Pats* win to support the case that their videotaping offense was minor, is weak to say the least, and it makes you look like you're sucking up to the (media) establishment.

At my house, that thing would be perfectly spiraled through the plasma screen before the first half of week 1.

Great post!

Reread my post - I didn't BLAME anyone. I'm merely pointing out what the police already know - the spouse is ALWAYS considered a suspect, especially when cheating is involved.

Don't discount the possibility that Ms. McNair was aware of the mistress and was the one who caused that ugly scene.

I have lots of other Bills gear, but never bought a jersey for myself. I did buy one for my son at last year's opener though. I don't get the concept of ADULT fans wearing jerseys - to me it makes them look like sad (usually fat) wannabees.

An interesting point. Could it be that with his back to the wall, Dick is finally tired of playing rope-a-dope football and now wants to throw a few punches of his own for a change? Actually be the aggressor? Looks like Russ is of that mindset, but it will be interesting to see if Dick coaches that way this year. It would definitely be out of character for him but maybe Dick sees this as his last best chance to stay in the league.

Good point. By the time there's :45 left in the half normally we've already burned at least 1 stupid TO.

How irritating is the idea of a Donte Whitner reality show? Donte, make a play before you consider making a show!

Well done!! I am so ready for the opener but at this point I'll settle for the hall of Fame game.

I hate the phrase "Color me..."

Interesting theory and it may have some validity. I think the last time we beat the Pats* was a Week 1, 31-0 rout during the Donahoe era (it was Lawyer Milloy's first game as a Bill if I remember correctly). Of course, that game was at the Ralph the upcoming one is not.

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Maybe you should send one to Nicole Brown Simpson's family and see what they think.

I'd say it's 50% stupid and 50% sick.

Fair enough - I look forward to being rehabilitated...