john_bult Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 http://www.ubbullrun.com/2015/1/22/7863221/a-case-study-in-nfl-college-football-shared-stadiums Would other Bills fans be willing to share a stadium with the Buffalo Bulls from the University of Buffalo if a new stadium is built? The UB Football Team has had some success over the past few seasons, but they had a down year this season. The UB Football Team needs a new stadium soon also. Other NFL teams that share a stadium are: Georgia State plays at the Georgia Dome UMass plays at Gillette Stadium University of Miami plays at Sun Life Stadium Temple University plays at Lincoln Financial Field Pitt Panthers play at Heinz Field San Diego St plays at Qualcomm Stadium USF plays at Raymond James Stadium Metlife Stadium always hosts a college game yearly Since both teams are in need of new stadiums, would Bills fans support the idea of the UB Football Team playing their games in the new stadium on Saturdays? Also, would other Bills fans support a possible college bowl game being played at the new stadium? Many bowl games are played at NFL Stadiums. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fridge Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 (edited) UB would have to go undefeated for like 10 straight years before they could sell out an NFL sized stadium. Edit*: This post was not meant to be dismissive, you did a great job on the write up and were very thorough in your research. Edited February 9, 2016 by fridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr1 Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 The Bills will share a stadium with the ECC Kats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Jackson Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 I'm fine with it. Obviously a bowl game would be nice as well. The only potential downside is that the turf may get chewed up. That happens some in Pittsburgh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 I'm fine with it. Obviously a bowl game would be nice as well. The only potential downside is that the turf may get chewed up. That happens some in Pittsburgh. Simple solution. Artificial turf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Romes Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 (edited) UB would have to go undefeated for like 10 straight years before they could sell out an NFL sized stadium. I guess that doesn't matter though, because I'm sure Temple never sniffs a sellout in Philly, so I guess it would depend on the "deal". UB's stadium is right on campus, and if the team were any good that would certainly appeal to the students. Temple sold out the ND game this year when they were unbeaten late in the year. They played a great game and almost won. Really a remarkable story given where that program has been. Edited February 9, 2016 by Charles Romes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fridge Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Temple sold out the ND game this year when they were unbeaten late in the year. They played a great game and almost won. Really a remarkable story given whew that program has been. I just looked that up. I honestly didn't even realize they weren't still in the MAC. Allow me to amend that same verbiage to say...UMASS, where (according the write up) it only fills up 10% on gameday. As a side note, UMASS beat UB in the finale this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarleyNY Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 No way. UB can't draw 10,000 fans. How do you justify the added wear and tear on an NFL field for that? The Steelers share a field with Pitt and it is always in terrible shape (although it has drainage issues too). Just not worth it. Now that I think about it, an NFL stadium might actually lose money hosting UB games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustaTimes Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 They can't get the UB North students to go to games that are 200 yards away from their dorms - how are you going to get them to come downtown for a game? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Romes Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 (edited) If playing in an NFL stadium helped college programs get better I would support sharing. However playing in a cavernous empty stadium rarely helps. The green wave recently moved out of the superdome and into an on campus 30,000 seat venue the same size as UB stadium. UB stadium is only 20 years old and does not need to be replaced. It's perfect for where that program is. Edited February 9, 2016 by Charles Romes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_bult Posted February 9, 2016 Author Share Posted February 9, 2016 http://www.minerrush.com/2015/4/7/8148419/group-of-five-attendance-numbers-aac-mw-mac-sun-belt-cusa Let me add that Buffalo had a little over 20,000 fans in attendance on average, which was in the middle. Being honest, 20,000 fans is pretty good for a football team in a non-bcs conference. Just sell tickets for the lower deck, and it will still make a profit. Plus the draw of the stadium being downtown may draw more people and students to the stadium. I have seen the UB Stadium once, and it honestly sucks. There is the track separating the field from the students, which may be another draw on why less people go. Pitt had Heinz field like 90% full, although Pitt is in a BCS conference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Jackson Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 If playing in an NFL stadium helped college programs get better I would support sharing. However playing in a cavernous empty stadium rarely helps. The green wave recently moved out of the superdome and into an on campus 30,000 seat venue the same size as UB stadium. UB stadium is only 20 years old and does not need to be replaced. It's perfect for where that program is.I really like the new Tulane Stadium. It would be the perfect model for UB if they build a new stadium separate from the Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty McFly Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Is it the Bills or the Bulls getting the new stadium? If the Bills get a new stadium maybe it would break the indian burial ground curse and/or Flutie curse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 No way. UB can't draw 10,000 fans. How do you justify the added wear and tear on an NFL field for that? The Steelers share a field with Pitt and it is always in terrible shape (although it has drainage issues too). Just not worth it. Now that I think about it, an NFL stadium might actually lose money hosting UB games.The last game UB played at RWS drew 26K which happened to be their 3rd largest crowd ever. UB doesn't need to draw 70K to share a stadium with the Bills. In fact I'd bet the Bills would welcome 6 additional game days in their new downtown stadium, even if it's only 20K. They still eat, drink and buy merch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustaTimes Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 They still eat, drink and buy merch. Isn't alcohol banned from NCAA games Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 Isn't alcohol banned from NCAA games If it's on campus I think. A few venues off campus allow... probably some other red tape too.... Anyways, I would go to ub games but that venue is comical how bad it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 No way. UB can't draw 10,000 fans. How do you justify the added wear and tear on an NFL field for that? The Steelers share a field with Pitt and it is always in terrible shape (although it has drainage issues too). Just not worth it. Now that I think about it, an NFL stadium might actually lose money hosting UB games. The downside is as stated a lack of attendance. In Tampa, USF who has a decent following never fills Raymond James stadium. The get maybe 10,000 seats filled and that is with the school practically giving away seats to the students. the upside is it is cheap, you sit close to the team, and can be fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoto Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 The Snow Bowl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 There's no downside (IMO) for the Bills as long as there are separate practice facilities. For the Bulls though...do they want to play in a stadium that big? (and empty) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarleyNY Posted February 9, 2016 Share Posted February 9, 2016 (edited) The last game UB played at RWS drew 26K which happened to be their 3rd largest crowd ever. UB doesn't need to draw 70K to share a stadium with the Bills. In fact I'd bet the Bills would welcome 6 additional game days in their new downtown stadium, even if it's only 20K. They still eat, drink and buy merch. The downside is as stated a lack of attendance. In Tampa, USF who has a decent following never fills Raymond James stadium. The get maybe 10,000 seats filled and that is with the school practically giving away seats to the students. the upside is it is cheap, you sit close to the team, and can be fun. I am with MG Kelly on this. Those are all inflated numbers. Even if they weren't, it wouldn't be enough. I live in Williamsville and I've seen that stadium on many game days. And, yes, a college program does need to draw fans to make it worthwhile to utilize an NFL stadium. There is no way that UB could draw enough revenue to make it profitable - especially considering all of the deals, freebie tickets and and other specials used to get attendance up. Honestly, how many pre-game concert goers left before kickoff last season? Edited February 9, 2016 by BarleyNY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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