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Goodell comments on Bills stadium issues at Super Bowl media day


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6 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Now I'm So Confused. 

 

I just read here elsewhere that the NFL doesn't care about gate receipts and that the "usual suspects" I see written up as motivation for new stadia (PSLs and Luxury Boxes) stay with the team and don't get shared.

I would think the other owners want Buffalo to rep the brand better. New Era is a dump and they would like to see their product showcased better. Egos and greed drive the NFL and one of the richest owners isn’t bringing home enough bacon. The other fat cats have built new buildings, refurbished older structures, added more money to the pot. They want Pegs to pony up and do the same.

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49 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Is That So?

 

Huh.  If so, then what exactly is the "you must build a new stadium" push all about?

 

 

A lot has to do with the solvency of the Bills and the need to be propped up by others.  The gulf between the haves and have-nots has grown large.  The number of haves compared to have-nots has also grown.  Oakland going to Vegas is one less on 'our team'

 

It also increases the franchise worth.

 

Can increase gate receipts

 

Monetize other things in the stadium with restaurants, bars, lounges, better merch POS locations, etc

 

Brings standards within the exclusive class of NFL teams and a better 'look'

Edited by May Day 10
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Unpopular Opinion #1:  The 35,000 seat NFL multi-purpose stadium is the NFL stadium of the future.  

 

Unpopular Opinion #2:  The Rogers family is driving the "Bills aren't competitive in Buffalo" and "Buffalo needs a new stadium" narratives to the NFL. It is fighting for a Toronto team behind the scenes at the expense of the Bills.  They, in conjunction with the NFL, want to force the Pegulas to sell.  Absent that, they will attempt to land a franchise and squeeze out the Bills and take the territory.  They know the Pegulas are stuck - there's no county money coming and unless Pegula is going to front a billion dollar stadium by himself, he'll be forced to renovate New Era which the NFL will say "oh well,that's still not a competitive stadium!"   

 

I think the Pegulas are in a precarious spot.  I think they've got Toronto interests scheming, enough NFL owners willing to hear that scheming, and very few allies, especially on the municipal front.  

 

Now, you may think this is all billionaire warfare, but I believe, as a fan, the Bills remaining in Buffalo is in a fragile state.  

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2 minutes ago, May Day 10 said:

 

 

A lot has to do with the solvency of the Bills and the need to be propped up by others.  The gulf between the haves and have-nots has grown large.  The number of haves compared to have-nots has also grown.  Oakland going to Vegas is one less on 'our team'

 

It also increases the franchise worth.

 

Can increase gate receipts

 

Monetize other things in the stadium with restaurants, bars, lounges, better merch POS locations, etc

 

Brings standards within the exclusive class of NFL teams and a better 'look'

 

I buy the later points, but not the bolded.    The Bills are not being propped up and there is no risk of insolvency.    The only thing shifting over time is franchise value (mostly due to market population size).     

 

In the grand scheme of things, the Bills are no more a "have not" than Pittsburgh or Cincinnati.    The Steelers are competitive every year, the Bengals are not.    That has to do with ownership, front office, talent evaluation--all the things the Bills can do well at...

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8 minutes ago, dpberr said:

Unpopular Opinion #1:  The 35,000 seat NFL multi-purpose stadium is the NFL stadium of the future.  

 

Unpopular Opinion #2:  The Rogers family is driving the "Bills aren't competitive in Buffalo" and "Buffalo needs a new stadium" narratives to the NFL. It is fighting for a Toronto team behind the scenes at the expense of the Bills.  They, in conjunction with the NFL, want to force the Pegulas to sell.  Absent that, they will attempt to land a franchise and squeeze out the Bills and take the territory.  They know the Pegulas are stuck - there's no county money coming and unless Pegula is going to front a billion dollar stadium by himself, he'll be forced to renovate New Era which the NFL will say "oh well,that's still not a competitive stadium!"   

 

I think the Pegulas are in a precarious spot.  I think they've got Toronto interests scheming, enough NFL owners willing to hear that scheming, and very few allies, especially on the municipal front.  

 

Now, you may think this is all billionaire warfare, but I believe, as a fan, the Bills remaining in Buffalo is in a fragile state.  

  I know that you said it is opinion but unless Buffalo's new stadium is 20 years into the future the NFL will push for at least 55,000 for the near future.

 

  Ontario Province is not any better off than NYS and has a much more cynical view on corporate welfare for at least sports teams.  So no real advantage in that Roger's would be forced to use most of their cash just like the Pegula's.  Also, should legal problems evolve I don't know what kind of standing the NFL would have in a Canadian court.  Staying in the US is playing it safe in my mind for the NFL at least where Ontario/Toronto is concerned.  

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2 hours ago, Lurker said:

 

https://news.wbfo.org/post/pegula-says-new-bills-stadium-would-be-scaled-down-version-others

 

"Pegula added if a new stadium were to be built, there would be many challenges ahead.  “It’s going to take a lot of work from a lot of people. The county, the fans, us, the stadium, the league, the state,” she said."

 

The county's not going to help--Poloncarz has already said as much.   New York State is battling a structural deficit due to federal Medicaid reimbursement changes and it will be very tough to go hat in hand to them.    The fan base does not want to (can't) pay for PSLs or substantially higher tix prices.     

 

So, who does that leave to fund the thing?    Pegs and the league.    That doesn't seem like a funding model the NFL will embrace...

 

 

Laughable - Poloncarz will be the last person invited to the conversation about future funding for the stadium.

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So....

 

Do we still believe Bon Jovi that he was going to move to Tonawanda, buy a river boat and dedicate his life to running the Bills in Buffalo? All the guys from Toronto with the actual money in the deal we're dedicated to WNY? 

 

After all, he said it on Howard Stern! 

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18 minutes ago, buffalobillsfootball said:

 

Laughable - Poloncarz will be the last person invited to the conversation about future funding for the stadium.

  Hard to say and Erie County executive is not an appointment for life.  Maybe the next person will be more workable.  I'm pretty pessimistic about the City of Buffalo and Albany at this point in time.  The Governor of NY does not need Bills fans to be elected or re-elected which is the simple reality of that.

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12 minutes ago, RochesterRob said:

  Hard to say and Erie County executive is not an appointment for life.  Maybe the next person will be more workable.  I'm pretty pessimistic about the City of Buffalo and Albany at this point in time.  The Governor of NY does not need Bills fans to be elected or re-elected which is the simple reality of that.

 

Yeah, no politician wants on their resume the departure of the Buffalo Bills from NYS.

 

NYS will step up - and as I've said before - look no further than the NYS Power Authority.  The Power Authority bank rolled CanalSide and should be expected to assist with the Stadium.

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I think it's great that fans are so united against Roger and his desire for a new stadium (I felt the same way when I read the article), though I'm not sure fans are actually considering the Pegula side of things...

 

Everyone seems to think that the NFL is "forcing" the Pegula's to spend money to build a new stadium.  Has anyone considered that maybe the Pegula's actually WANT a new stadium?  Perhaps they too want a building that will up their revenue?  Perhaps they want another signature building / crown jewel as part of their Buffalo revitalization?  Maybe they love their old fixer-upper with the small hallways, but they know their family needs some digs from this century and dad has saved a few bucks in the bank, so hey let's look around!

 

Who knows, I just think it's so funny that the fans are running the Pegula's "defense" when they don't really know what their desires are. I mean they DID just do a study on this issue, so it's not like complete status quo... 

 

:beer:

 

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13 hours ago, RochesterRob said:

  Nothing is a certainty at this point in time.  A clean slate/virgin site type proposal in the middle of nowhere in Erie County is bound to be cheaper than something in the city of Buffalo that needs to be signed off on by a Mayor, city council, and citizen groups.  Never mind eminent domain, demolition of abandon homes, disposal of hazardous materials such as lead paint and asbestos, environmental impact surveys, and other studies to name a few problems.  Lawsuits.

I hear you, but I suspect these studies they've been doing are related to many of those issues.  I would even bet work has already been done, behind the scenes, related to many of those issues.

 

i have said in the past that I think the Pegula's will pay for most of this stadium and the city/county/state will make matching contributions that will be focused on infrastructure and transport.  The government entities can legitimize spending hundreds of millions on new and improved roads/railways/subway construction that benefits everyone in the city.  The Pegula's would probably get a lot of sweetheart deals from the city if they covered most of the stadium cost.

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14 minutes ago, Heitz said:

I think it's great that fans are so united against Roger and his desire for a new stadium (I felt the same way when I read the article), though I'm not sure fans are actually considering the Pegula side of things...

 

Everyone seems to think that the NFL is "forcing" the Pegula's to spend money to build a new stadium.  Has anyone considered that maybe the Pegula's actually WANT a new stadium?  Perhaps they too want a building that will up their revenue?  Perhaps they want another signature building / crown jewel as part of their Buffalo revitalization?  Maybe they love their old fixer-upper with the small hallways, but they know their family needs some digs from this century and dad has saved a few bucks in the bank, so hey let's look around!

 

Who knows, I just think it's so funny that the fans are running the Pegula's "defense" when they don't really know what their desires are. I mean they DID just do a study on this issue, so it's not like complete status quo... 

 

:beer:

 

 

I don't doubt the Pegula's want a new stadium.   But as the face of the franchise, they're in the awkward position of having to placate the fans who (through their tax dollars) would have to pay for a large portion of it--and also see ticket prices jump 25%-35-50% once it was built.     

 

They seem very sensitive to that dynamic so far.    But it sounds like they'll step into the light one way or another in a couple of months when they roll out the consultant's report...

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16 minutes ago, Xwnyer said:

Minneapolis hosted second Bills SB

 

You can’t compare Minneapolis to Buffalo with a straight face, can you? I realize you were responding to the global warming part, but Minneapolis is a VERY cool city. 

 

I was at the Minneapolis SB, and I’ve been there several other times. As fond as I am of Buffalo, there is NO comparison other than they are both cold weather sites. As is NYC/NJ, but that doesn’t hold either for obvious reasons.

 

Lots of reasons not to expect a SB in WNY, new stadium or not. Fun to think about, but don’t have high expectations. They have had cold weather sites in the past, but that is only one part of the equation. 

 

 

.

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Question. He says the Bills have a "a few months" to come up with a new/renovated stadium plan. What happens if Pegula just says No? He likes the stadium the way it is, and other than upkeep, and minor improvements, he's not changing anything. Can he force the team to move? Or force the Pegulas out? What exactly does this mean?

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9 minutes ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

 What exactly does this mean?

 

The Pegula's will likely release the results of their consultant's report then.     It's done now, but they appear to be waiting until spring to talk about it...

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10 hours ago, Hammered a Lot said:

Did you get pieces of turf? I was glad to give it away to the Tailgaters in the Lot. People (with out the special Red P card) were offering me $$$ which I refused because it was free & I gave them some. I know doing this wrecks my image. Oh well!

 

Didn't get one .. as I was working on handing out some NC pulled pork bbq with either vinegar or tangy sauce with some Duke's mayonnaise to the other TBD attendees at the time .. all good.  No turf needed ... I just enjoy the memories your lot and Pinto Ron brings to me and my son for our annual last game pilgrimage from NC to WNY.  See you in December!

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2 hours ago, Mat68 said:

What makes you think that?  Browns, Rams, Raiders, Chargers, Oilers, and Colts all moved for the same reason.

 

You actually put Kim and Terry in the same category as those greedy basstards?!     

 

They don't need to 'maximize' their investment.   They own the Bills and Sabres for completely different reasons...

 

 

8 minutes ago, adubmac said:

The Bills should just end this charade and move to Toronto. Canadians have been subsidizing this team for far too long and Toronto would give the Bills every competitive advantage they would need to win again. 

 

One and done.    Good work, amigo...

 

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30 minutes ago, Lurker said:

 

You actually put Kim and Terry in the same category as those greedy basstards?!     

 

They don't need to 'maximize' their investment.   They own the Bills and Sabres for completely different reasons...

 

 

 

One and done.    Good work, amigo...

 

At some point as industry leaders, they will not be ok being the worst anything in the NFL at anything.  Right now Buffalo is severly behind in stadium quality by every measure.  I think they are forward thinkers, moving into a new stadium opens alot of doors and avenues they will never have access to in New Era.  

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14 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

At some point as industry leaders, they will not be ok being the worst anything in the NFL at anything.  Right now Buffalo is severly behind in stadium quality by every measure.  I think they are forward thinkers, moving into a new stadium opens alot of doors and avenues they will never have access to in New Era.  

 

So does that mean they'll move if they don't get a new stadium?    You put them in the same category as the Irsay's of the world, so you must think so...

 

 

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I think theres alot that the league can do about it, because IIRC, aren't sports franchises viewed more like a 'franchise' business where your ownership is similar to a lease from the league to operate a franchise in your location? The Owners & League vote in new owners, but they can also vote you out if they have reason. So if the league doesn't feel the Bills can pull their weight financially and that its because their facility isn't up to their standards, they can pull your franchise/force you to sell. it doesn't matter if upgrades will cause the loss of fans attending games. If people can afford paying comparable prices to the other teams, then they will view it as the  area not being able to support a team in that league.

 

The NFL is a business first and foremost, and businesses are all about making money, lots of it, as much as possible and then some. The league isnt a charity (although they might want/try to be classified as one for tax purposes) so if you can't afford to play, they will find someone else who will. I'm sure part of the league agreeing to the Pegula purchase was that they told them they must work out a deal for a new stadium, or massive renovations of the existing over specified period of time. Right now its all about working to try and do some convincing over who will be funding it.

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2 hours ago, Limeaid said:

It has to with number of hotels not weather.

plus IIRC, Minny is a dome still so weather doesn't matter as much (I do rememebr hearing that there are a lot of enclosed walkways to get around to places there too that help not having to go outside) I think the NY SB was one of the first cold current era outdoor SBs, and that it was only considered because its NY (Well close enough, NJ)

Detroit also hosted a SB not that long ago when they built their dome. The consider the surrounding area being able to handle the increased game tourism/fans/media/etc. during the lead up to the game and whether the area can host it so they require more then a couple decent hotels. If the include all of WNY and Southern Ontario, they might be able to get there in a few years after a few more of the hotels open up on the Canadian side of the Falls

 

 

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4 hours ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

Question. He says the Bills have a "a few months" to come up with a new/renovated stadium plan. What happens if Pegula just says No? He likes the stadium the way it is, and other than upkeep, and minor improvements, he's not changing anything. Can he force the team to move? Or force the Pegulas out? What exactly does this mean?

The League cold push them out as owners, could be something within the NFLs contracts/By-Laws of team ownership that the league has the right to force a sale or relocation if a teams facilities are not kept to a certain standard. Other owners aren't going to want to continue subsidizing them with revenue sharing if they aren't willing to work on improving their situation financially and pull more of their weight in the league? Its not a Cities right to have a franchise, its a privilege to have one, so if the league sees that they can't keep up, they can say the area can't support a franchise and will need to go somewhere that can. For all anyone knows, some of those teams that have already relocated may have been told privately by the league that if a stadium deal couldn't be reached, you must relocate or sell the franchise to someone who will, it may not have been just greedy owners like everyone assumes.

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19 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

 

how do the owners think they are going to get more money?? How much are they getting out of  Greenbays and KC stadiums that are old as hell ??

 

 

IIRC, Both those cities did massive renovations of their existing facility, same with Chicago

And teh NFL doesn't care about the Average fan, your not what makes them all the money

Naming rights, luxury boxes, sponsorship deals, thats where the revenue is made. The big bucks aren't going to be spent by companies for the naming rights to an old worn down facility, and its hard to sell luxury boxes when you don't have many to begin with.

 

If the league is going to ensure the team stays in Buffalo, the buffalo market will need to show it has the ability to be competitive financially with the rest of the league and pay up to either build a newer stadium or massive renovations to bring the current one up to the levels of the rest of the league. Like it or not, pro sports are a business that are looking to continue to maximize profits, not a charity looking to make sure everyone has a franchise. If the market can't/won't help, and the owners can't fund it privately, the league will determine the area just cant afford the league anymore and move on.

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30 minutes ago, thronethinker said:

Where would the team play during a major renovation? I doubt something of that scale would be done in 8 months time. 

I would assume they may have to relocate somewhere nearby for a season or 2 (chicago went to a college field nearby, GB played home games in a few spots, Buffalo could look at Hamilton with their new CFL stadium, or Toronto and be the 2nd NFL team playing in a soccer stadium) or they could do it in stages that would work in the 8 month (hopefully 7 so work can't start til February) time frame. fans will have to start facing facts that the league and local law enforcement are going to start phasing out tailgating as we know it in buffalo. Many stadiums don't allow the same set up like here and it will continue to move to a more controlled atmosphere where you won't have free reign to get black out drunk and throw people through tables anymore

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I think alot of People believe the Pegulas are against this or think they need to take a stand, but I think they already know what the league wants/expects of them as owners and from the area to keep the team in Buffalo.If they didn't think they needed a new stadium or renovations to New Era, they wouldn't be doing studies or looking into it. This is most likely something that was made part of their ownership agreement with the league. The have 'X' amount of years to bring the playing situation up to a more competitive level, or they could be forced to find someone or somewhere that will. this is the same Owners that were bringing up whether their other Pro sports teams facility (which is much newer) also needs to be improved or replaced and honestly I don't recall hearing anyone bringing that idea up much prior.

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6 hours ago, apuszczalowski said:

IIRC, Both those cities did massive renovations of their existing facility, same with Chicago

And teh NFL doesn't care about the Average fan, your not what makes them all the money

Naming rights, luxury boxes, sponsorship deals, thats where the revenue is made. The big bucks aren't going to be spent by companies for the naming rights to an old worn down facility, and its hard to sell luxury boxes when you don't have many to begin with.

 

If the league is going to ensure the team stays in Buffalo, the buffalo market will need to show it has the ability to be competitive financially with the rest of the league and pay up to either build a newer stadium or massive renovations to bring the current one up to the levels of the rest of the league. Like it or not, pro sports are a business that are looking to continue to maximize profits, not a charity looking to make sure everyone has a franchise. If the market can't/won't help, and the owners can't fund it privately, the league will determine the area just cant afford the league anymore and move on.

 

So make a stadium with nothing but corporate suites, that sounds like fun .

 

 

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15 hours ago, Lurker said:

 

I don't doubt the Pegula's want a new stadium.   But as the face of the franchise, they're in the awkward position of having to placate the fans who (through their tax dollars) would have to pay for a large portion of it--and also see ticket prices jump 25%-35-50% once it was built.     

 

They seem very sensitive to that dynamic so far.    But it sounds like they'll step into the light one way or another in a couple of months when they roll out the consultant's report...


 

Which is why they as owners have Roger stand up there and put out the “bad guy” news that the Bills need a new stadium and more importantly float info repeatedly about Toronto.  Everyone keeps blaming Roger, but the league and the owners already knew the outcome of the “study” and now they have Roger once again push the buttons that to be competitive they need a new stadium and the elected officials need to start getting on board.

 

Now the Pegula’s can swoop in with the study and push their agenda and kick in some money and look like the good guys and still get what they want.

 

People just keep wanting to blame Roger - like he has any say in any of this.  He is the owners mouthpiece - this is not his opinion- it is what the owners want.  

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15 hours ago, Lurker said:

 

I don't doubt the Pegula's want a new stadium.   But as the face of the franchise, they're in the awkward position of having to placate the fans who (through their tax dollars) would have to pay for a large portion of it--and also see ticket prices jump 25%-35-50% once it was built.     

 

They seem very sensitive to that dynamic so far.    But it sounds like they'll step into the light one way or another in a couple of months when they roll out the consultant's report...

And that is something that King Roger is not.  He'$ $imply concerned about one thing.  His comments were out of touch with reality and unfair to the team owners.  All that asshat did was give Sullivan something else to gripe about.

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13 hours ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

Question. He says the Bills have a "a few months" to come up with a new/renovated stadium plan. What happens if Pegula just says No? He likes the stadium the way it is, and other than upkeep, and minor improvements, he's not changing anything. Can he force the team to move? Or force the Pegulas out? What exactly does this mean?


 

He said that because they already knew the Pegula’s report was complete and going to be released.  He was up there being the bad guy for the Pegula’s.  He put out the threats so the Pegula’s get what they want.

 

In the end the NFL owners can decide many things,  if enough of them voted they could strip him of the franchise and force him to sell - they also could continue to manipulate the CBA which is up and further lessen shared revenue- which means teams like Buffalo will continue to find it harder to be competitive.  There are lots of things, but in this case just remember- Roger is speaking for the Pegula’s not himself.  

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6 minutes ago, Cripple Creek said:

And that is something that King Roger is not.  He'$ $imply concerned about one thing.  His comments were out of touch with reality and unfair to the team owners.  All that asshat did was give Sullivan something else to gripe about.


 

He is speaking for the owners - his job as he did in SD, STL, Oak, etc - was to get in front and be the bad guy - warn those cities about what the owners want and put a threat of a move out there if they do not get it.  His job is not to make you feel good.

 

Notice how right afterward we hear the study is complete and they will be releasing it in the next few months - of course it is done - it falls right in the time frame Roger mentioned - coincidence?  Nope!  
 

They already knew the outcome - now it is Roger’s job to sound the alarm and be bad - put out a move, lack of competition, etc.  and then let the Pegula’s be the good cop and ask nice and move toward a public/private partnership to give them exactly what they want.

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