Flutie Flakes Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 The keeper of the Batavia Party Zone sign informed me this morning that after a lengthy conversation this week with Chris Voigt (Director of Operations and Event Services), there will be NO SIGNS PERMITTED INSIDE OF THE STADIUM until further notice. He referred him to the stadium guide, which states the following, "banners and signs may not be affixed, hung, or held over the field level ring wall". End of story, no exceptions, no signs what so ever along the wall. My friend asked if there was anyone else he could speak with and Mr. Voigt stated that this decision rested with him and that there was no one else my friend could speak with. When pressed why they were implementing these changes this year, he implied that they trying to make for a more "family friendly" experience at Ralph Wilson Stadium. I ask all of you this, how do signs like "Batavia Party Zone", "Skid Row" and the like tarnish the atmosphere within the stadium? None of these signs are offensive or derogatory and based upon the huge response I received from my last blog, are a big part of the fan experience at the stadium. Many people watching on television specifically seek out the signs and they are also found on the Madden games. They provide "a unique brand" for our stadium and banning them is IMHO a poor decision on the part of stadium officials. If officials are truly concerned about the content of signs within the stadium, they could consider an annual review of each sign and the placement of a permanent seal or sticker that labels the banner as an "approved" sign for hanging within the stadium. Only signs that are approved would be allowed to be hung along the field level wall. However, my gut feeling on this is that they are paving the way to utilize the interior wall for marketing and advertising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevestojan Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 Slightly misleading title, don't ya think? NO more signs at the Ralph? No - just no more signs on the walls. That said, I agree that the No Fun League is getting out of control and its trickling down to individual stadiums. I personally am completely offended by the Batavia Party Zone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthICE Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 Its cowardace on the part of the Bills Org. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeMonkey Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 When pressed why they were implementing these changes this year, he implied that they trying to make for a more "family friendly" experience at Ralph Wilson Stadium. ... However, my gut feeling on this is that they are paving the way to utilize the interior wall for marketing and advertising. The family friendly line is a smoke screen. Your gut feeling is absolutely correct. When looking for motives for NFL behavior, never look further than the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaPolian8693 Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 If you let one guy have a sign, you need to let everyone have a sign. Then some random stadium worker has to decide whether or not that sign is acceptable. Obviously hanging a giant banner that says "Bills Stink" would be a problem. With fan morale at a very low level, they don't want the hassle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonInBuffalo Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 I suggest people watch games on TV carefully to see if there are fan banners on the "lower rim" of any NFL stadium. I tried to take note while watching several games after hearing about the Batavia Party Zone incident. I didn't see any banners in the Jets stadium, but that may be due mostly to the stadium design. I only saw one very small inconspicuous banner in Kansas City. My best guess right now is the NFL implemented this policy for financial reasons, since the lower rim is the only portion of the stadium where banners can be seen while the cameras are covering the action on the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisyphean Bills Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 Maybe the best sign is the empty seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfan in n.h Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 pansy @ss liberals.these are the same morons who would expell your kid from school for a year because he brought a squirt gun in to class Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UConn James Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 If you let one guy have a sign, you need to let everyone have a sign. Then some random stadium worker has to decide whether or not that sign is acceptable. Obviously hanging a giant banner that says "Bills Stink" would be a problem. With fan morale at a very low level, they don't want the hassle. Yeah. IMO, there is an air of this being a pre-emptive action. As the losing continues (which, it looks very much like it will) there will be fan blowback, and it's not entirely stupid of them to remove the most visible evidence / means of disgruntlement. But also, I wouldn't be surprised if the walls are covered with advertisements (like the video screens soccer fields during the World Cup) in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasternOHBillsFan Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 (edited) pansy @ss liberals.these are the same morons who would expell your kid from school for a year because he brought a squirt gun in to class This is a move by conservatives... you know, the bottom line, squash any forms of protest or creativity that doesn't conform...!! This guy is probably loaded and driving a custom Mercedes and has a large portfolio, since the decision rests with him, put 2 and 2 together better than THAT. Edited September 25, 2010 by BmoreBills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGB Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 If you let one guy have a sign, you need to let everyone have a sign. Then some random stadium worker has to decide whether or not that sign is acceptable. Obviously hanging a giant banner that says "Bills Stink" would be a problem. With fan morale at a very low level, they don't want the hassle. I agree and you don't see fan's signs on the dasher boards in hockey - right? This is no different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McBeane Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 Its cowardace on the part of the Bills Org. What? That's quite a stretch... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampD Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 I wonder if you are still allowed to wear a bag over your head in the stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macaroni Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 I wonder if you are still allowed to wear a bag over your head in the stadium. As long as you keep paying for your ticket I don't think they will care what you wear on your head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasper13 Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 I thought bags aren't allowed in the stadium to begin with? You could stretch the sign meanings. "Batavia Party Zone" could be interpreted to imply that there is some sort of fun that includes drinking going on in that area or "zone". Jeez, that sign has been there FOREVER. "Skid Row" could be taken to mean that some unsavory, down on their luck fans reside in that section on game day. Two thoughts: One, they have to ban those signs because they are not going to allow any negative signs as the season wears on. 40,000 empty seats should get the message across. Two, they are getting away from anything that has to do with drinking or implies drinking. Of course, the COORS LIGHT Rockpile is OK because that is paid advertising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 pansy @ss liberals.these are the same morons who would expell your kid from school for a year because he brought a squirt gun in to class Clear evidence of a moron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost of Rob Johnson Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 If officials are truly concerned about the content of signs within the stadium, they could consider an annual review of each sign and the placement of a permanent seal or sticker that labels the banner as an "approved" sign for hanging within the stadium. Only signs that are approved would be allowed to be hung along the field level wall. However, my gut feeling on this is that they are paving the way to utilize the interior wall for marketing and advertising. It's unfortunate because it seems like hanging the sign was something you enjoyed, however your suggestion seems unrealistic and an awful lot of aggrivation and waste of resources from the Bills part to allow fans to hang signs. Perhaps there was an incident regarding a hung banner in the past? Seems like they would hold off on the rule until the marketing and advertising was on the wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeMonkey Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 I agree and you don't see fan's signs on the dasher boards in hockey - right? This is no different. Stupid analogy. 1) With the glass they cannot hang signs on the boards. 2) The inside of the board is in the field of play. 3) The NHL already sells advertising there. 4) You can, and sometimes do, see people holding up signs on the glass and they are not stopped unless they are blocking someone elses view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasternOHBillsFan Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 Clear evidence of a moron. The Dean Clear evidence that "blah blah blah" or the Charlie Brown teacher track can be inserted for the text above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yungmack Posted September 25, 2010 Share Posted September 25, 2010 pansy @ss liberals.these are the same morons who would expell your kid from school for a year because he brought a squirt gun in to class "Pansy @ss liberals?" The NFL is one of the most conservative organizations on earth. You have to be an individual "sportsman" to own a franchise. Which means you have to be very, very wealthy (at least for now...I believe the NFL is right about halfway through its "jump the shark" moment). I would be shocked if any of them ever voted for a liberal in their lives. With very few exceptions, the league and its plantation owners care about one thing and one thing only: Dinero. They only care about the fans, the players, the taxpayers and the heritage of the game to the extent that it impacts "their" money. Of course, in the contemporary world of Tea Party logic ("Keep the government's hands off my Medicare"), conservative probably does mean liberal. And the Bills are going to win the next Super Bowl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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