It's better going to games now because...

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

Would you agree that the gameday experience is better now than it was say 5 years ago (excluding the quality of the team on the field)? If so, why?

• Better fan behavior?
• More visible security/police presence?
• Feel safer (security measures/prohibited items)?
• Physical improvements to the stadium?
  • Concessions/food
  • Scoreboard/audio
  • Gates & Entry
  • Team Store
• Pre-game activities?
• On-Field entertainment (Stampede vs Jills)?
• Parking Lots better managed?
• Closure of Abbott Road?
• Ticket Office procedures?
• Ushers/Guest Services staff?
• Something else?

Or if you've refused to go to games in the past, are your perceptions changing? Would you bring your family to a game? If you still won't go to games, why is that?

[PromoTheRobot]

I did bring my young daughter to the JAX playoff game in '96. (The last game JK played.) It was like bringing her to a drunken riot. Scared the crap out of her.

 

I guess when you are used to something you don't see it for what it is. So thinking back to then and comparing it to now, the games are much behaved.

Edited May 20, 2015 by PromoTheRobot

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

I did bring my young daughter to the JAX playoff game in '96. (The last game JK played.) It was like bringing her to a drunken riot. Scared the crap out of her.

 

I guess when you are used to something you don't see it for what it is. So thinking back to then and comparing it to now, the games are much behaved.

So what do you think it would take to get her to consider going to another game?

[boyst]

Would you agree that the gameday experience is better now than it was say 5 years ago (excluding the quality of the team on the field)? If so, why?

 

• Better fan behavior?
• More visible security/police presence?
• Feel safer (security measures/prohibited items)?
• Physical improvements to the stadium?
  • Concessions/food
  • Scoreboard/audio
  • Gates & Entry
  • Team Store
• Pre-game activities?
• On-Field entertainment (Stampede vs Jills)?
• Parking Lots better managed?
• Closure of Abbott Road?
• Ticket Office procedures?
• Ushers/Guest Services staff?
• Something else?

Or if you've refused to go to games in the past, are your perceptions changing? Would you bring your family to a game? If you still won't go to games, why is that?

I have noticed more security and police but the first three have not impacted my enjoyment of the game. If anything they take away from it because I've seen some fans get hassled by security simply because some opposing fan had their panties in a bunch.

 

 

The entry is much better, sound haven't noticed. The scoreboard is awful with it half consumed by ads.

 

Pregame activities haven't noticed or participated. Do tailgating. That's it.

 

Stampede or cheerleaders = don't care.

 

Parking lots and closing Abbott has no effect on me. Get there beforehand and park at the Hammer lot.

 

Skipping down, the improvements in the game day, non game related, two scoreboards does help, the gates do, too. But, I am there for friends and football and don't worry about much else. Sure, the Bills could do more but that's not what's being asked.

[zonabb]

Would never take a child to a Bills game, ever. I would in other stadiums I've been to but not RWS. In my SH survey I commented that the stadium experience is the same as it has ever been.... a good time when people are behaving but a nightmare when they're not. Further, the rent-a-cops they hire are over zealous maniacs who think they're saving the world and more often than not act worse than the people they're dealing with. The only improvement actually has been the gates seemed to move faster last year. I will say, however, one thing I think is worse and actually a major detraction... the constant barrage of noise and commercials on the boards. I don't need it, don't want it, and find it annoying. I have a few years until I'm done so hopefully it remains tolerable.

[thebandit27]

The things that are better:

 

- Entry to the stadium seems to be streamlined

- Additional restroom facilities

- Scoreboard and audio

- Closure of Abbott Road

 

Things that still need work:

 

- Concessions are generally very slow--and can we please keep the cap to the water bottle? With the increased security measures, if someone throws a full bottle, just kick them out and press charges.

- Ushers tend to let too many complaints from fans go unreported that I've noticed.

[LB3]

The physical improvements have been great. Getting out of the stadium much easier now. Scoreboards on each end is a nice upgrade. The smoking ban has been my favorite change though.

[PromoTheRobot]

So what do you think it would take to get her to consider going to another game?

Oh she's been to games with me since...as a grown up. It was just too much for her as an 8 year old. Agree with Zonabb there.

 

But the game day experience has certainly mellowed a bunch. Personally, I'd hate to see it get too sanitized. Ever been to a Pats** game at Gillette? I'd hate to see it get like that. Sabres games are like that too. The people on SabreSpace.com call it the "Chad & Muffy syndrome." Sports crowds need a little crazy edge to them. Otherwise why go?

Edited May 20, 2015 by PromoTheRobot

[bigK14094]

I have taken my kids and grandkids over the past few decades. Yes, there are a few drunks...but if they get obnoxious where we are seated, I get the ushers to escort them out. In general, the fans are pretty good...of course, we have been sitting where the season ticket holders are, and they are there for the football first.

Yes, there are a few crazies, but our kids and theirs as well now know the world has those types, and we steer clean of such folks. Yes, there is some crazyness, but, so goes the world, and the kids do live in that world. So, thats my two cents.

[stevewin]

There can never be too many bathrooms - would still like to see more

Edited May 20, 2015 by stevewin

[plenzmd1]

things that are better:

 

Entry

Scoreboards

Extra Bathrooms and Concessions stands upper deck

 

 

Improvements I would like to see;

 

Redzone on one of the smaller boards during timeouts and halftime Post game as well to see end of close games.

 

Wifi should be good, but if they block other games in NFL mobile while not having redzone home experience still better. ( that may be pure bandwidth issue though)

 

Beers should be pre-pored, especially at quarter and half. Should be 100 beers ready to just hand over and take payment.

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe I am getting older, but seems like less drunks. I am on record of never thinking that was a problem anyway, and have taken my kids to games every year since they were 6 and 4 and they both LOVE going to games

[CodeMonkey]

Oh she's been to games with me since...as a grown up. It was just too much for her as an 8 year old. Agree with Zonabb there.

 

But the game day experience has certainly mellowed a bunch. Personally, I'd hate to see it get too sanitized. Ever been to a Pats** game at Gillette? I'd hate to see it get like that. Sabres games are like that too. The people on SabreSpace.com call it the "Chad & Muffy syndrome." Sports crowds need a little crazy edge to them. Otherwise why go?

Too see the game with fellow fans. What is "crazy edge" to one person is "!@#$" to another.

[Talley56]

I did bring my young daughter to the JAX playoff game in '96. (The last game JK played.) It was like bringing her to a drunken riot. Scared the crap out of her.

 

I guess when you are used to something you don't see it for what it is. So thinking back to then and comparing it to now, the games are much behaved.

Makes you wonder though, if/when the Bills become good again, will this type of experience and fan behavior return?

[Manther]

Wowsers, great job everyone staying on topic here. An impressive, well thought out dialogue. It is enjoyable.

[scribo]

They need better management of the concessions. (I am not applying). Last season more than a few counters were under-stocked, under-staffed and did not have enough product ready to go during the busiest times. These stands could make a lot more money and make a lot of fans happier. And, as said above, please let us keep the caps to water bottles we buy. My kid spills everything. If they don't change that this year, I will get creative enough to sneak in water bottles or at least a couple caps myself.

 

I do like the increased security. They aren't well trained to cool down heated exchanges, but I don't care because my family and I aren't giving others grief. So we're left alone by security.

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

They need better management of the concessions. (I am not applying). Last season more than a few counters were under-stocked, under-staffed and did not have enough product ready to go during the busiest times. These stands could make a lot more money and make a lot of fans happier. And, as said above, please let us keep the caps to water bottles we buy. My kid spills everything. If they don't change that this year, I will get creative enough to sneak in water bottles or at least a couple caps myself.

 

I do like the increased security. They aren't well trained to cool down heated exchanges, but I don't care because my family and I aren't giving others grief. So we're left alone by security.

Can't say I haven't brought in some water bottle caps.

[thebandit27]

Can't say I haven't brought in some water bottle caps.

 

I have as well...I'd prefer if I didn't have to though.

[CodeMonkey]

Can't say I haven't brought in some water bottle caps.

 

 

 

I have as well...I'd prefer if I didn't have to though.

Holy crap. I'm embarrassed to say I never thought of that!

[metzelaars_lives]

Wowsers, great job everyone staying on topic here. An impressive, well thought out dialogue. It is enjoyable.

I'd be curious to hear how you felt about one EJ Manuel?

[DC Greg]

Makes you wonder though, if/when the Bills become good again, will this type of experience and fan behavior return?

 

I can almost guarantee that if we make the playoffs, people will just lose it and go crazy... not in a good way. Don't get me wrong, I love the intensity at the games. I don't mind language, and I don't mind yelling, standing up, drinks that get accidentally spilled occasionally... it's a football game, that stuff happens. But it often devolves into something worse. Look at what happens when we just get a night game for crying out loud. Some kid drowned in a creek last time, and there were pretty much disgusting antics all the way around.

 

So many people just get lit, and they aren't paying attention to the game/really don't care about football anyways. Really wish those people would just save their money and just stay in the parking lot.

[RyanC883]

Love the stadium improvements.

 

I don't think the fans are out of control. Go to a Steelers v. Browns game. Or a game in Philly. Or NYJ. Those places may be out of control. Or Oakland. The chaos is pretty well controlled at the Ralph. Been going since I was 8. If something really crazy happened my Dad would point it out and say, "don't be that crazy or you'll get kicked out." My biggest complaint is actually not enough noise on D still!

[plenzmd1]

Holy crap. I'm embarrassed to say I never thought of that!

Well, I ain't getting in Mensa cause I never thought of it either

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

Just gotta hope they don't go on the banned list

[The Real Buffalo Joe]

Last time I was at a Bills home game I got an autograph from Paul Posluszny, so it's been a while. However, I've been to three road games, and Houston and New Orleans are no where near as bad, especially to their out of town fans. Other than playful boos and taunting, save a handful of jerks which are at every sports stadium across the world, Houston was basically neutral, and Saints fans were downright friendly.

[jimmy10]

 

I can almost guarantee that if we make the playoffs, people will just lose it and go crazy... not in a good way. Don't get me wrong, I love the intensity at the games. I don't mind language, and I don't mind yelling, standing up, drinks that get accidentally spilled occasionally... it's a football game, that stuff happens. But it often devolves into something worse. Look at what happens when we just get a night game for crying out loud. Some kid drowned in a creek last time, and there were pretty much disgusting antics all the way around.

 

So many people just get lit, and they aren't paying attention to the game/really don't care about football anyways. Really wish those people would just save their money and just stay in the parking lot.

22-year old me wants to punch 38-year old me for saying this, but I agree with you 100%. The only negative for me on game days are all the drunken idiots who can't handle their booze.

[EmotionallyUnstable]

22-year old me wants to punch 38-year old me for saying this, but I agree with you 100%. The only negative for me on game days are all the drunken idiots who can't handle their booze.

As a 25 year old, I can relate. I love going hard tailgating. We cook hard, cheer hard and definitely drink hard. That being said, we do so responsibly (for the most part). It is those who cannot handle themselves, cross the line and make terrible decisions, that make a bad name for younger tailgaters. I love the Bills and I love the experience and have enjoyed the last 3 years as a season ticket holder.