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Why Do the Bills Need a New Stadium ??


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On 8/3/2018 at 12:09 PM, Lv-Bills said:

They don't.  And look around, they are planning on staying there a long time.  Thank God.  Most of the new stadiums blow.  Keep renovating what we have.  It's one of the best atmospheres in the league.  There's also nothing wrong with the stadium itself.  The one thing people harp on are the concourses.  And could they be wider?  Yep.  Was there ever a time where I didn't want to go to a Bills game because it might take another 60 seconds to traverse a smaller concourse? No.

 

There's no way they are moving downtown.  It couldn't be more clear.

 

The bathrooms leak sewage... I like the field, but only because I grew up with it. It's an absolute dump. Will I survive with out a new one, of course, but I'm not going to sit here and lie about it. 

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9 hours ago, Jrb1979 said:

I disagree. If you like bare bones then its a fine stadium. I was just at Progressive field in Cleveland and the amenities there were some of the best. Between the amazing food offerings and the craft brews makes it a great place to see a game. There is even a nice bar area that you can sit at and watch the game from. That is the kind of things that is missing at New Era Field. 

 

I guess people in Buffalo don't like change or state of the art amenities. 

Yeah and a lot of people don't give a **** about any of that. And a lot do. Big picture: it is unnecessary...assuming

the owners don't buy it themselves completely.  

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On 8/4/2018 at 11:16 PM, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Most of the 40-60 yr olds I know are "over" the "trendy bar scene". 

 

An increase in comfort and an improvement in game day experience might bring them back....the perception of "out of control drunkenness" is a factor, but most of it is stuff like not too far-fetched a bathroom wait for the ladies (with a reasonably cleanliness), and also being able to sit one's booty butt down through the game and still see it....standing all game long is a teen through 30s scene. 

 

These kind of changes to improve the fan experience could be made with the current stadium, if the will was there.  People have made the suggestions here - have "standing room" sections and "must sit" sections etc.

 

I don't see the problem with standing. I'll say that's the one complaint that has always annoyed me. I can be completely sober and courteous and some one wants to yell at me to sit down. I never do, if you can't stand for 3 hours and you're not in a wheel chair, don't go to the game. 

 

The other stuff I can see why someone wouldn't want to deal with, but standing? Anyone who complains needs to get over that and I hope they sit behind me. Because I'm not sitting for them. Those chairs suck anyways 

Edited by Ol Dirty B
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13 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Ch.2 or Ralph would have to buy the last few thousand seats to lift the blackout. Even playoff games.

 

That's a good point.  I do remember that happening, but I don't remember what years or what months.  It kind of seemed like it happened no matter what month it was.  It seemed to always go to Thursday no matter what. 

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The political climate now looks like the owners would have to cover most of the cost for a new stadium.

 

Would the Pegulas eat that cost or pass it on with PSL and way more expensive tickets is the big ?

 

If that major cost was passed on the season ticket holders should have a vote on new stadium or renovate New Era.

 

The recent investments there make me guess renovate continues, unless Delaware North donates big for a new stadium.

 

 

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6 hours ago, Ol Dirty B said:

 

I don't see the problem with standing. I'll say that's the one complaint that has always annoyed me. I can be completely sober and courteous and some one wants to yell at me to sit down. I never do, if you can't stand for 3 hours and you're not in a wheel chair, don't go to the game. 

 

The other stuff I can see why someone wouldn't want to deal with, but standing? Anyone who complains needs to get over that and I hope they sit behind me. Because I'm not sitting for them. Those chairs suck anyways 

Why would I go to a game to stand for 3 hours? There is no need to stand all game....big plays coming up on defense I can see, but all game...that's ridiculous

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2 minutes ago, BUFFALOBART said:

If you want to pay 2-3X for tickets so you can have 'bright, and shiny', then become a Jets fan.

A good friend was a Jets season ticket holder for many years. When the new stadium was built, he was asked to cough up $26K in PSL's for his four seats. He told the Jets to rub salt.

 Do you think that won't happen here?

A new stadium is not going to make the team play better, and I am amazed by the mentality that we  JUST HAVE to have 'new', when what we do have, is perfectly fine

 

Except its not. Its old and breaking down, and the cost to renovate is nearly the cost of building new thanks to it partially being underground.

 

The NFL wants Buffalo to have a new stadium. What the NFL wants, the NFL gets. Get ready for it. 

 

Some of the Atlanta PSL's were $500. Buffalo PSL's wont be that expensive, everyone needs to calm down with those numbers. I can see them being on average $2,500. which based on the 58,000 seasons the sold last year would be an additional $145,000,000.

 

I absolutely think people would pay that to be in the new stadium. 

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That's the catch 22 with a new stadium.  

 

 

Buffalo has the fans.... but not the high end clientele to pony up several thousands of dollars-plus just for the rights to buy a seat.  People will punt on that and wait on the secondary market to go to games.  Seat Licenses would have to be very careful and modest.  If the team becomes a competitive and well-run one, there is plenty of room to increase ticket pricing/

 

We also don't have the fortune 500/100 presence and clientele in the area to fill fancy suites and clubs. 

 

We are a largely football-oriented fan base, so a lot of the bells and whistles will be lost on us.  It will detract some % of people from the game, which will kill the atmosphere they have built.  Fan inclusion/crowd noise effecting the play, etc.

 

I think studies have uncovered some of these realities, which may have taken a bit of wind out of the sails to rush a grand facility approaching what MIN and ATL have put up.  They may be back to the drawing board for something a bit more modest.  

 

 

I just want a place built for fans to watch a football game.  Great sight lines, seats close to the field.  Good noise harnessing.  Wouldnt mind improved bathrooms, concourses, etc.  I really have no desire or use for all sorts of lounges and such.   

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It's all about potential for revenue.

 

The Bills fall behind because they only charge so much, as we all know Bills tickets remain among the cheapest in the league

 

 

The "answer" gets murkier when we widdle down, a) who and how will this be paid for, b) what kind of stadium do we (meaning Buffalo taxpayers) want vs what the NFL wants, and c) location, infrastructure and mixed use capabilities. 

 

The league wants Buffalo to get a new stadium so they can charge more money and make more money for themselves, and thus increase Buffalo's valuation and the overall league as well. 

 

This is monetarily impossible with the current stadium. Its as renovated as it can be barring a complete retrofit/overall that would take years, and that possibility raises further logistical issues, namely, where does Buffalo play while under construction. 

 

So there remains a disconnect between local public opinion, spending money, and what the NFL fully expects Bills ownership to accomplish in the next 5-10 years. 

 

Buffalo will get a new stadium folks, it's just a matter of when.

 

This will test and strain the market's ability to support the team like never before.

 

I fully expect the overall gameday experience to change for what most Bills game attendees would consider for the worst.

 

If you want a team, how much are you willing to pay for it?

 

This is by no means me arguing that taxpayer funded stadia is a good thing. It's just unfortunately the price of doing business in the 21st century NFL. 

 

 

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I'd like to see a new stadium.  I have not been to a Bills game in quite a while, and the main reason is the amount of idiots.  I'm hoping that a new stadium means higher ticket prices and a lot less idiots in and around the stadium on gameday.

 

Also, I've worked at the Ralph, and it is a pretty run-down shithole, and that was back in the early 2000's.  I know they have spent some money on it since then, but that just seems like turd polishing.

 

Get on with it, and design and build a proper stadium IMO.

Edited by Magnetar
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29 minutes ago, Magnetar said:

I'd like to see a new stadium.  I have not been to a Bills game in quite a while, and the main reason is the amount of idiots.  I'm hoping that a new stadium means higher ticket prices and a lot less idiots in and around the stadium on gameday.

 

Also, I've worked at the Ralph, and it is a pretty run-down shithole, and that was back in the early 2000's.  I know they have spent some money on it since then, but that just seems like turd polishing.

 

Get on with it, and design and build a proper stadium IMO.

that's a pretty lousy reason not to enjoy a game.  just spend a bit more money and sit in the clubs.  the clubs are not idiot friendly, and the experience is great.

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4 minutes ago, teef said:

that's a pretty lousy reason not to enjoy a game.  just spend a bit more money and sit in the clubs.  the clubs are not idiot friendly, and the experience is great.

 

I would also say that the in-stadium "idiot" has been marginalized to great extents over the past 10 years.  There is a huge security presence, and any trouble they swarm.  

 

Granted, its still not the most polished crowd, and you shouldnt bring a 5-year-old... but the in-stadium hi jinx is a shadow of what it used to be.

Edited by May Day 10
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32 minutes ago, May Day 10 said:

That's the catch 22 with a new stadium.  

 

 

Buffalo has the fans.... but not the high end clientele to pony up several thousands of dollars-plus just for the rights to buy a seat.  People will punt on that and wait on the secondary market to go to games.  Seat Licenses would have to be very careful and modest.  If the team becomes a competitive and well-run one, there is plenty of room to increase ticket pricing/

 

We also don't have the fortune 500/100 presence and clientele in the area to fill fancy suites and clubs. 

 

We are a largely football-oriented fan base, so a lot of the bells and whistles will be lost on us.  It will detract some % of people from the game, which will kill the atmosphere they have built.  Fan inclusion/crowd noise effecting the play, etc.

 

I think studies have uncovered some of these realities, which may have taken a bit of wind out of the sails to rush a grand facility approaching what MIN and ATL have put up.  They may be back to the drawing board for something a bit more modest.  

 

 

I just want a place built for fans to watch a football game.  Great sight lines, seats close to the field.  Good noise harnessing.  Wouldnt mind improved bathrooms, concourses, etc.  I really have no desire or use for all sorts of lounges and such.   

 

Spoken like a true Bills fan !! I'm with you !! 

 

I've been to Jerry world & was not impressed at all !!  Sure it's big but it's mostly about Jerry's ego & the look at how much money i have & what i can build !!

 

If as a fan you are that ate up with the players all sweaty walking through the lounge/bar that you are in you are more about the party than the actual game .

 

If the PSL's are even close to what they are in ATL there will be a lot more folks sitting home watching the game in there own living rooms rather than putting up with

cost/traffic & all the other things when you go to a game .

 

Especially if there isn't much tail gating space in B/Lo ! That is a HUGE part of the game day experience in Buffalo !!

 

Buffalo isn't Dallas or NYC & i don't think most fans want it to be if they can build it in the image of the Bills & it's community then i think we all would be for it !!

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A know a lot of the older fans are happy with a place to see the game, their labatt blue and a hot dog. To grow their fan base they need more bells and whistles. For me personally being able to have some good craft brews and better food options like pulled pork on a bun, tacos,  cheese steak sandwiches. Why not offer some of the food like Key Bank centre has? 

 

I am finding it hard to understand why so many of you wouldn't want a stadium that offers those things. 

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2 minutes ago, Jrb1979 said:

I am finding it hard to understand why so many of you wouldn't want a stadium that offers those things. 

 

I think many fans fear being priced out.  However, I think it could be better for the game experience to weed out the peanut gallery a bit.

Edited by Magnetar
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1 hour ago, May Day 10 said:

 

I would also say that the in-stadium "idiot" has been marginalized to great extents over the past 10 years.  There is a huge security presence, and any trouble they swarm.  

 

Granted, its still not the most polished crowd, and you shouldnt bring a 5-year-old... but the in-stadium hi jinx is a shadow of what it used to be.

absolutely.  the security has gotten pretty efficient.  whenever i've seen a fight brewing, security has it sniffed it out long before there's an actual problem.  most of the antics now tend to be outside of the stadium, and for the most part, it's completely overblown.  

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7 minutes ago, Magnetar said:

 

I think many fans fear being priced out.  However, I think it could be better for the game experience to weed out the peanut gallery a bit.

Sorry but the NFL is no longer your grandfathers NFL. At some point ticket prices will rise to be more in line with the league average. When it does happen the stadium has to offer more amenities then the bare bones it has now. A lot of people are willing to pay higher prices if the experience is worth it. That means better food and beer as well as nice lounge to see the game from. 

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2 minutes ago, Jrb1979 said:

Sorry but the NFL is no longer your grandfathers NFL. At some point ticket prices will rise to be more in line with the league average. When it does happen the stadium has to offer more amenities then the bare bones it has now. A lot of people are willing to pay higher prices if the experience is worth it. That means better food and beer as well as nice lounge to see the game from. 

See Falcons, Atlanta. That place was amazing. 

 

Granted Buffalo would be nothing like that, but the environment was not sterile at all, in a dome. 

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47 minutes ago, Jrb1979 said:

A know a lot of the older fans are happy with a place to see the game, their labatt blue and a hot dog. To grow their fan base they need more bells and whistles. For me personally being able to have some good craft brews and better food options like pulled pork on a bun, tacos,  cheese steak sandwiches. Why not offer some of the food like Key Bank centre has? 

 

I am finding it hard to understand why so many of you wouldn't want a stadium that offers those things. 

 

I have no problem with better food options being served more efficiently as well as craft beer options.  Also, efficient and comfortable bathrooms wouldnt be horrible.  Wouldnt mind a concourse-deck either for standing room only tickets.  Improved aesthetics, some kind of roof/protection from the wind and direct precipitation, etc.

 

However, a lot of the "lounges" and extra-exclusive "clubs" inside the facility IMO would be lost here.... and have no value to me personally.  If I am paying an extra premium per ticket for access to an interactive fantasy football lounge, and during the game, anywhere between 20-40% of people are constantly wandering around like its some sort of high end football-themed pub crawl... I'm probably going to stop going (and I believe many Bills fans would, while there is a shortage of corporate types to fill the void).

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4 minutes ago, May Day 10 said:

 

I have no problem with better food options being served more efficiently as well as craft beer options.  Also, efficient and comfortable bathrooms wouldnt be horrible.  Wouldnt mind a concourse-deck either for standing room only tickets.  Improved aesthetics, some kind of roof/protection from the wind and direct precipitation, etc.

 

However, a lot of the "lounges" and extra-exclusive "clubs" inside the facility IMO would be lost here.... and have no value to me personally.  If I am paying an extra premium per ticket for access to an interactive fantasy football lounge, and during the game, anywhere between 20-40% of people are constantly wandering around like its some sort of high end football-themed pub crawl... I'm probably going to stop going (and I believe many Bills fans would, while there is a shortage of corporate types to fill the void).

I would love a bar area similar to the one at Progressive field in Cleveland. It has a bunch of tables along a railing that faces the field so you can sit and eat while watching a game. Its open to all fans at the stadium. 

 

 

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2 minutes ago, Jrb1979 said:

I would love a bar area similar to the one at Progressive field in Cleveland. It has a bunch of tables along a railing that faces the field so you can sit and eat while watching a game. Its open to all fans at the stadium. 

 

 

This, so much this!

 

The concourses are old and outdated. If you run to pee or grab food you are missing out on a lot of action.

 

IF you want to see the game you need to be in your seat.

 

Rich/Ralph/New Era served its purpose, but on to bigger and better things. 

 

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2 hours ago, Peevo said:

It's all about potential for revenue.

 

The Bills fall behind because they only charge so much, as we all know Bills tickets remain among the cheapest in the league

 

 

The "answer" gets murkier when we widdle down, a) who and how will this be paid for, b) what kind of stadium do we (meaning Buffalo taxpayers) want vs what the NFL wants, and c) location, infrastructure and mixed use capabilities. 

 

The league wants Buffalo to get a new stadium so they can charge more money and make more money for themselves, and thus increase Buffalo's valuation and the overall league as well. 

 

This is monetarily impossible with the current stadium. Its as renovated as it can be barring a complete retrofit/overall that would take years, and that possibility raises further logistical issues, namely, where does Buffalo play while under construction. 

 

So there remains a disconnect between local public opinion, spending money, and what the NFL fully expects Bills ownership to accomplish in the next 5-10 years. 

 

Buffalo will get a new stadium folks, it's just a matter of when.

 

This will test and strain the market's ability to support the team like never before.

 

I fully expect the overall gameday experience to change for what most Bills game attendees would consider for the worst.

 

If you want a team, how much are you willing to pay for it?

 

This is by no means me arguing that taxpayer funded stadia is a good thing. It's just unfortunately the price of doing business in the 21st century NFL. 

 

 

  Not too worried about the interim when a new stadium goes up.  It will either be at a location away from OP so leave NEF in place for the time being or if they build in OP they will build near NEF but still leave NEF standing until the new place is ready.  Parking will be the issue with a new stadium in OP but that can be addressed with a minimum of difficulty.  

  The demographic is going to change for the average game attendee skewing towards a higher average annual income.  These people are not all going to come from Erie County but from far and wide including Canada.  Unfortunately, some people will be closed out from buying tickets due to insufficient income but the NFL does not care.  

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I'm in favor of a new stadium, just a straight dome with the kinds of windows and aesthetics found in the new Minnesota dome. And for many of the same reasons. Today's generation doesn't want to spend the day out in the bitter cold in a snow storm. They want to be watch the Greatest Show on Turf 2.0. In their defense, I have a little girl and bringing her to a game in November when it's about 35 to 40 degrees with the wind chill coming off the lake and overcast is not exactly a day full of fun for a girl her age. It's also hard to really enjoy the game when you're buried up to your hips in snow and nearly impossible for a child. 

 

So, I like the idea of a dome for all the reasons listed above, I don't really care about the tailgating stuff good or bad, and I like the idea that if Minnesota got a Super Bowl, Buffalo could get one too. That would be truly great to see! So, count me in the, "Yes, the Bills need a dome" crowd. And yes, there will be costs....but if we haven't noticed, every damn thing has gone up and while its aggravating to no end...it ain't changin'.....so, we can hold on to our nostalgia at the price of progress and keep an antiquated way of thinking, or we can be progressive and accept that a new dome will bring fresh blood in terms of business, fan experience, and football experience for the next generation.

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55 minutes ago, CountDorkula said:

This, so much this!

 

The concourses are old and outdated. If you run to pee or grab food you are missing out on a lot of action.

 

IF you want to see the game you need to be in your seat.

 

Rich/Ralph/New Era served its purpose, but on to bigger and better things. 

 

I totally agree.  I usually come to town for a game a season. Went to the Pats game in early Dec and couldnt find a bar that had anything other than beer. Other stadiums have full bars, margarita stands, ect. Maybe it is the liquor license, not sure. 

 

By the time the current lease is up, New Era will be 50 yrs old. I cant see the Bills extending the lease. It will be time for a new stadium. It doesnt have to be super fancy, it just has to be functional. Dome, larger concources, more bathrooms, more concessions, ect.  The Cardinals stadium cost about $500 million and is a great facility. 

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2 hours ago, May Day 10 said:

 

I have no problem with better food options being served more efficiently as well as craft beer options.  Also, efficient and comfortable bathrooms wouldnt be horrible.  Wouldnt mind a concourse-deck either for standing room only tickets.  Improved aesthetics, some kind of roof/protection from the wind and direct precipitation, etc.

 

However, a lot of the "lounges" and extra-exclusive "clubs" inside the facility IMO would be lost here.... and have no value to me personally.  If I am paying an extra premium per ticket for access to an interactive fantasy football lounge, and during the game, anywhere between 20-40% of people are constantly wandering around like its some sort of high end football-themed pub crawl... I'm probably going to stop going (and I believe many Bills fans would, while there is a shortage of corporate types to fill the void).

I think you vastly underestimate the market and what people are willing and able to spend for entertainment. Check concert ticket prices, for example. Anyway, there is a vast amount of money sitting on the sidelines at the moment because the facility and experience is subpar by today’s standards. It’s fine if you want to wax poetically about the way it used to be, but this isn’t the NFL of old. There’s a lot more money in Buffalo than there used to be. Some current ticket holders will certainly drop out with a new stadium and pricing, but plenty more will step up to fill the void. Time waits for no one, and the Bills aren’t an exception. None of thenfan banter on this board will impact the decisions involved in the Bills stadium situation one bit. The Bills are a business and will look to appeal to a more upmarket fan. 

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20 minutes ago, TheFunPolice said:

As long as it's open air I'm good with it!

 

Pittsburgh should be the model.

A new open air stadium wouldn’t make much sense here. You’d still be severely limiting the market for tickets. Why bother with a new stadium if it won’t increase revenue streams very much ?  PIttsburgh averages only around 27 inches of snow per year. It’s a different climate altogether. 

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16 hours ago, Ol Dirty B said:

 

I don't see the problem with standing. I'll say that's the one complaint that has always annoyed me. I can be completely sober and courteous and some one wants to yell at me to sit down. I never do, if you can't stand for 3 hours and you're not in a wheel chair, don't go to the game. 

 

 

I hope you have injuries which do not require wheelchair, maybe even one preventing you from seeing and/or viewing game at all.

 

Last time I went a sack of dung like you too big to fit in seat was standing all game even putting stuff on my seat spilling food on it.

Was standing whole game when he was not making beer runs waving his arms around even hitting me once.

When asked for him to sit down so his kid could see he cursed the father saying he paid for the seat and if he wanted to stand he would.

 

Waited to he went on one of his beer runs, went to toilet but it brought it with me.

Left it on floor with some of garbage he left and when he returned he stepped in it.

He asked and nobody saw nothing. Then it was pointed out it was also back of his legs from chair he was not using.

 

With some cursing he left.

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2 hours ago, BillsfanAZ said:

 

By the time the current lease is up, New Era will be 50 yrs old. I cant see the Bills extending the lease. It will be time for a new stadium. It doesnt have to be super fancy, it just has to be functional. Dome, larger concources, more bathrooms, more concessions, ect.  The Cardinals stadium cost about $500 million and is a great facility. 

 

Went to the game in Arizona when I was working in California and while it looks impressive not all seats are.  The seat I was sold was called "obstructed view" (which usually means you cannot see scoreboard or something high) but it wasn't.  It was blocked view. There was no way for me to be able to sit and watch game.  After a quarter I got up and became a hobo sitting whenever I saw a seat unoccupied until owner got back.  For $500 million I expect every seat sold to be able to see the game.

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30 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

 

I hope you have injuries which do not require wheelchair, maybe even one preventing you from seeing and/or viewing game at all.

 

Last time I went a sack of dung like you too big to fit in seat was standing all game even putting stuff on my seat spilling food on it.

Was standing whole game when he was not making beer runs waving his arms around even hitting me once.

When asked for him to sit down so his kid could see he cursed the father saying he paid for the seat and if he wanted to stand he would.

 

Waited to he went on one of his beer runs, went to toilet but it brought it with me.

Left it on floor with some of garbage he left and when he returned he stepped in it.

He asked and nobody saw nothing. Then it was pointed out it was also back of his legs from chair he was not using.

 

With some cursing he left.

I need more detail on this please. 

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Just now, Limeaid said:

 

Never heard of making an envelope with a napkin?

https://www.instructables.com/id/Envelope-Napkin-Fold/

 

We do it fairly often and even paper napkins of sufficient strength work.

How did you stuff the "envelope"?  Did you reach under and catch the log then wrap or fish it out? 

 

And how did you make it back to your seat undetected?  I'm guessing you didn't carry the "parcel" out of the bathroom in your hand.  Did you stash it in a pocket? 

 

Lastly, how did you make the drop without anyone nearby noticing your devious plan?

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