College and minor league sports are always there. UB football and basketball are D1 programs and dirt cheap. Night out with a family of 4, incl tickets, parking and food, for under $100. Bandits lacrosse tickets are still pretty cheap and they are a dynasty.
Buffalo is a member of a very exclusive club: being an NFL city. These are the costs to belong. In fact if Buffalo didn't get the Bills in the 60's or Sabres in the 70's, a city of our size and economic stature would never sniff a professional franchise in any sport.