Pegulas invite UB football to new stadium. UB prefers to stay on campus.

[PromoTheRobot]

https://theathletic.com/2847449/2021/09/24/pegulas-invite-university-at-buffalo-to-play-in-bills-new-stadium-but-bulls-prefer-to-stay-on-campus/?source=user_shared_article

 

Quote

AMHERST, N.Y. — Pegula Sports and Entertainment has invited the University at Buffalo to join the new football stadium project.

But as long as Orchard Park remains the target location for the Buffalo Bills’ next stadium, UB’s athletic department prefers to invest in its current venue rather than venture across town to play.

UB’s focus would change in a heartbeat, however, if the state would reconsider the option to build the new Bills stadium on the Amherst campus.

“We would love to have UB football be a part of this,” PSE executive vice president Ron Raccuia said.

The Las Vegas Raiders last year opened a stadium that UNLV also calls home.

UB athletics director Mark Alnutt is listening to what PSE has to say. UB Stadium is universally unloved for its poor sightlines, rinky-dink scoreboard, open-to-the-elements seating and lack of amenities, but playing games on campus is integral to the football program’s vision.

“Being able to have student engagement on campus is critical for us,” Alnutt said. “When alumni come back to campus, when our students want to attend the games, we want our community to have that connection. That’s very important.”

 

Edited September 24, 2021 by PromoTheRobot

[Conlan58]

I may be in the minority here, but my annual trip(s) to Buffalo for a game or three would absolutely be extended to include a UB game. Imagine being able to tailgate and attend a CFB and NFL game two days in a row at the same spot? Sign me up. Double that for the camper lot. Well worth hauling my camper down from Maine for.

Edited September 24, 2021 by Conlan58

[BBills88]

When the new 🏟 is built, maybe there will be some bowl games.

[Nextmanup]

I have no real opinion on the new stadium aside from the fact that I adamantly oppose putting it in OP again.

 

That's a huge mistake, which is why I expect it to happen given the history of WNY politics.

 

 

 

 

[Augie]

It makes sense for the Bills to offer, and for UB to want to keep it on campus. Oh, well…no harm in asking. 

 

As long as the Bills remain in WNY, I’m happy. That’s all I ever REALLY cared about. 

 

 

.

Edited September 24, 2021 by Augie

[Don Otreply]

Until ground is broken, Ya never know, a new stadium might just end up some place else we had not considered, I’m certain that the Pegulas would be real pleased to see more events in their new stadium…., where ever it ends up.., 😁

Edited September 24, 2021 by Don Otreply

[Punching Bag]

UB alumni here although football was not as big when I was there as it is now.

Only interaction I had was in Wilkeson Quadrangle pub where they were usually drunk .

With change in drinking age the pub is likely gone; I see there is a coffeehouse in Wilkeson Quadrangle now.

 

I cannot see how stadium at Amherst campus would help the Bills.

 

They have a beautiful training facility in Orchard Park. 

Are they going to going to give it up or will each game be an "away" game for them requiring transportation of players, staff and equipment there each game?

 

It also does not help maintain fanbase just as moving stadium downtown does not help.

There is probably more parking space than downtown but this would likely be under control of UB but Bills could negotiate where they get undeserved revenue (undeserved since most of cost is not being borne by them). Fans would again be stuck with no alternates to parking and many choose to park other than Bills' lot either for cost, difference in rules including hours open and what they can do.

 

It helps a little on weather since Amherst campus gets less lake effect snow but as former student there it still does get a lot of snow some years.

 

Maybe the shared facility would also get more contributions toward a roof which some are so much advocates of which is only advantage I can see.

 

[billsfan_34]

20 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

I have no real opinion on the new stadium aside from the fact that I adamantly oppose putting it in OP again.

 

That's a huge mistake, which is why I expect it to happen given the history of WNY politics.

 

 

 

 

The problem we face with a downtown stadium is infrastructure. There just is not enough entry/exit points and the ones that are; Route 5, 190, 33 etc just cannot handle the volume of traffic once you hit Buffalo cholk points. Ever leave after a packed Sabres game or event at the Arena? The area would have to invest at minimum 2-3 billion just in infrastructure to make it work. 

UB is not viable either! Maple, Audobon, Millersport, and the 990 aint gonna cut it either. Leaving UB fireworks with maybe 10k people is comical.
 

 

[LeGOATski]

1 hour ago, Nextmanup said:

I have no real opinion on the new stadium aside from the fact that I adamantly oppose putting it in OP again.

 

That's a huge mistake, which is why I expect it to happen given the history of WNY politics.

 

 

 

 

It's worked for the last 40 years or so.... continues to be praised as one of the best fan atmospheres and tailgating experiences. Why wouldn't they want to keep that?

1 hour ago, BUFFALOBART said:

I used to work on the Amherst Campus, and actually attended the inaugural game @ Bulls Stadium.

I don't think there is enough room on that Campus, for an NFL Stadium.

We can make room

 

 

[machine gun kelly]

Logistically, they have their training facilities, they have the space, they have the infrastructure in OP so its the most cost effective.  Its not getting moved up to Amherst for UB.  USF has a bigger program here in Tampa and play at Ray Jay and they don't even fill half the stadium with giving away tickets to students.  UB wont factor into the equation, but I can see Pegula PSE offering to allow them to play as its a minor revenue stream for the Pegulas.  Nothing nearly motivating enough to move to a smaller geographical location with more issues.

 

I understand why UB wants to stay up there.

[LABILLBACKER]

43 minutes ago, Nextmanup said:

I have no real opinion on the new stadium aside from the fact that I adamantly oppose putting it in OP again.

 

That's a huge mistake, which is why I expect it to happen given the history of WNY politics.

 

 

 

 

Is there a place in or near downtown that would include the present tailgating experience?

[That's No Moon]

Pegulas seem to be looking for anyone and everyone to pick up part of the tab for this stadium. County,State, PSLs, "inviting" UB to be a tenant. Mhmm.

[djp14150]

Does UB want to be a Big 10 school?  
 

if the bills put the stadium in Amherst area UB probablypkaysthete. 
 

that increases their profile.

[K-9]

3 hours ago, Don Otreply said:

Until ground is broken, Ya never know, a new stadium might just end up some place else we had not considered, I’m certain that the Pegulas would be real pleased to see more events in their new stadium…., where ever it ends up.., 😁

Where is Dunkirk Don when ya need him?!

[Buffalo716]

3 hours ago, BUFFALOBART said:

I used to work on the Amherst Campus, and actually attended the inaugural game @ Bulls Stadium.

I don't think there is enough room on that Campus, for an NFL Stadium.

I was at that inaugural game also

 

Had season tickets since they returned

[Buffalo716]

Just now, BUFFALOBART said:

I was the Publications Photographer, for UB. I was on assignment, for that game (Maine was the opponent)

That's awesome! I will never forget those early days

 

Horns up 🤘

[Punching Bag]

1 hour ago, K-9 said:

Where is Dunkirk Don when ya need him?!

 

Maybe his prison will be closed down and site can be repurposed as a sports site.

[billsfanmiamioh]

4 hours ago, billsfan_34 said:

The problem we face with a downtown stadium is infrastructure. There just is not enough entry/exit points and the ones that are; Route 5, 190, 33 etc just cannot handle the volume of traffic once you hit Buffalo cholk points. Ever leave after a packed Sabres game or event at the Arena? The area would have to invest at minimum 2-3 billion just in infrastructure to make it work. 

UB is not viable either! Maple, Audobon, Millersport, and the 990 aint gonna cut it either. Leaving UB fireworks with maybe 10k people is comical.
 

 

People around here always try to make the “there’s already a huge traffic problem with Bills games, downtown would be no different” argument. They are sorely mistaken…

[PromoTheRobot]

5 hours ago, billsfan_34 said:

The problem we face with a downtown stadium is infrastructure. There just is not enough entry/exit points and the ones that are; Route 5, 190, 33 etc just cannot handle the volume of traffic once you hit Buffalo cholk points. Ever leave after a packed Sabres game or event at the Arena? The area would have to invest at minimum 2-3 billion just in infrastructure to make it work. 

UB is not viable either! Maple, Audobon, Millersport, and the 990 aint gonna cut it either. Leaving UB fireworks with maybe 10k people is comical.
 

 

I go to UB football and basketball games all the time. 5K for Basketball, 15-20K for football. Never an issue leaving.

[Buffalo716]

1 minute ago, PromoTheRobot said:

I go to UB football and basketball games all the time. 5K for Basketball, 15-20K for football. Never an issue leaving.

Ofc 

 

The difference between 15000 and 65000  is astronomical though

 

 

[Punching Bag]

1 hour ago, BUFFALOBART said:

I'm not against the idea, but I can't visualize it. Where would it go? The parking logistics alone, would be a deal breaker.

 

If UB wanted it then they could put it in Letchworth Woods or fill in Lake LaSalle. 

Both of those areas are smaller than Bills entire stadium area including current parking area and buildings.

The key is stadium area with ticket sales and place for people to wait in line and for game equipment.

Parking lots do not necessarily need to all by stadium with parking shuttles possible from further locations like an airport.

 

 

I do not think it is going to happen however unless Bills are told they need to move  as condition of funding.

The state would also need to greatly enhance the road structure.  I-290 will not be enough.

[PromoTheRobot]

13 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

Logistically, they have their training facilities, they have the space, they have the infrastructure in OP so its the most cost effective.  Its not getting moved up to Amherst for UB.  USF has a bigger program here in Tampa and play at Ray Jay and they don't even fill half the stadium with giving away tickets to students.  UB wont factor into the equation, but I can see Pegula PSE offering to allow them to play as its a minor revenue stream for the Pegulas.  Nothing nearly motivating enough to move to a smaller geographical location with more issues.

 

I understand why UB wants to stay up there.

 

UB could and should play at least one game in the a Bills stadium each year. Thanksgiving Friday would be a nice tradition. Last time they did they they got their second largest crowd ever, 26K.

Edited September 25, 2021 by PromoTheRobot

[BigDingus]

7 hours ago, billsfan_34 said:

The problem we face with a downtown stadium is infrastructure. There just is not enough entry/exit points and the ones that are; Route 5, 190, 33 etc just cannot handle the volume of traffic once you hit Buffalo cholk points. Ever leave after a packed Sabres game or event at the Arena? The area would have to invest at minimum 2-3 billion just in infrastructure to make it work. 

UB is not viable either! Maple, Audobon, Millersport, and the 990 aint gonna cut it either. Leaving UB fireworks with maybe 10k people is comical.
 

 

 

I don't get how the infrastructure in OP is any better. It's like a stadium dropped in the back of a neighborhood that happens to have some roads converge into a parking lot nearby. The city has to have more entry & exit points than that.

[Don Otreply]

6 hours ago, K-9 said:

Where is Dunkirk Don when ya need him?!

Hiding under a rock waiting for just the right moment to arrive on the seen…, 😁👍

[BuffBillsForLife]

The mere thought of the new Bills stadium being at North Campus is going to give me an aneurysm, what an absolute traffic nightmare.

 

On the plus side it would do amazing things for Elmo's business.

[Doc Brown]

11 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

I have no real opinion on the new stadium aside from the fact that I adamantly oppose putting it in OP again.

 

That's a huge mistake, which is why I expect it to happen given the history of WNY politics.

Orchard Park is perfect.  An open air stadium is the huge mistake.

[machine gun kelly]

53 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

Orchard Park is perfect.  An open air stadium is the huge mistake.

First, to PTR, that’s a great idea of having the UB thanksgiving game weekend at Highmark and could be promoted each year like the field of dreams baseball game they just started or the open air hockey game in a football stadium.  I know the greatest cocktail party game between Georgia and UF is a major event in Jax as they show five days ahead in their RV’s.  The kids at school have off anyway so why not.  I think even Bills fans who don’t follow NCAA as much would go if made to be an event.  So props PTR.  Go get Kim on the horn and make it so.

 

As far as OP, to me it is the infrastructure, but also all the off site lots, and there are multiple entry and exit points.  The cost downtown would be astronomical and the state is not going to throw that much money into widening roads and they really don’t even have the space to do it, not to mention buying the land, and if in the first ward demolition buildings, etc.  

 

Doc, I think they mentioned a canopy so in essence the upper and part of the lower decks would be covered from snow, rain, and most importantly wind.  By installing those huge heating lamps would also create a much more mild environment.  It also on the field will still look like an open stadium which a lot of people like so without the heavy winds at times, the field would still see a little snow.  I love it, and given in another thread people are not happy about PSL’s, they would only be worse in other places mentioned.

[eball]

Bit of a misleading title…sounds to me as though UB would love to be a part of the stadium…IF the stadium were closer to campus.

[red hots]

Another reason why the OP plan is crazy. Why on earth would UB move football 16/17 miles south of campus with no major transport links and nothing else in the area?

 

Sharing a new stadium in Amherst was by far the best proposal if they weren't going Downtown. Close to the UB Campus, metrorail extension, highways, closer to the population center.

 

Talk about lipstick on a pig.

Edited September 25, 2021 by red hots

[SirAndrew]

I didn’t read the article, as I don’t subscribe. I thought the article was just about Pegula offering UB an opportunity to play at the new Bills stadium, and didn’t realize there was mention of building on North Campus. There’s no way that seems viable. Too many logistics and accommodations would need to be worked out between PSE and the university. Large on campus stadiums are common, but they’re used by the university, making huge football profits

 

UB would sell 5K tickets, while playing to an empty stadium. Why wouldn’t SUNY/UB demand rent money from the NFL/Bills ? You put something on my land, have hoards of mongols descend upon it on Sunday who leave mass quantities of garbage, I’m not sure how that sounds like a win for the college campus. Maybe I’m ill informed since I didn’t read the article, if so, please let me know what I’m missing. I don’t get the North Campus thing at all right now. 

[May Day 10]

Would be great.  Certainly would vault the UB program a couple notches and would make the Big 10 realistic.

 

Downtown is not really feasible.  The studies have shown that which is why there is zero momentum or chatter pointing downtown.  

 

Anyone who has been to a sold out Sabres game or concert that people didn't leave early can attest.  Especially as you park closer to the arena, compounded if you park in a ramp.  The streets are too narrow, lots of one-way, some dead ends, and virtually no egress to the south, and limited to the west.  You have to crawl your way through a grid of gridlocked streets to reach the 190.  Triple the crowd, even double... ugh.   

 

I don't know the exact layout over there at ub/Amherst, but it sounds like there could be some options and some space.  You have the 990, 290, and even millersport and Sheridan to move people.  You're starting from scratch though for land acquisition, parking space, and all that.

Edited September 25, 2021 by May Day 10

[Mr. WEO]

Wow, first PSE's 1st round Sabres pick replies that he prefers to stay on campus, now this...

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

12 hours ago, djp14150 said:

Does UB want to be a Big 10 school?  
 

if the bills put the stadium in Amherst area UB probablypkaysthete. 
 

that increases their profile.

Also makes the obligatory camera shot of Niagara Falls closer for the NFL broadcasts.  Too many years late to hear Keith Jackson intone "NYE-AG-GA-RA FALLS!"

[SoCal Deek]

Why does this have to be so difficult? There simply isn’t the kind of money available for a small market team like Buffalo to construct a brand new facility on a brand new site so:

 

Keep the stadium in OP

 

Retain and enhance the tailgating tradition unique to Bills game day experience 

 

Reduce costs by not having to rebuild and relocate infrastructure, offices, practice facilities, training center

 

Build it with covered seating to keep the fans dry but save the huge cost of a true roof, and the really huge costs of a retractable roof

 

Orient the new stadium correctly to reduce the wind tunnel effect off the lake

 

Utilize a public/private partnership to spread the cost out over as many people and as many years as possible so as to reduce the cost impact on tickets 

 

Done! 

 

 

 

 

[PromoTheRobot]

42 minutes ago, SirAndrew said:

I didn’t read the article, as I don’t subscribe. I thought the article was just about Pegula offering UB an opportunity to play at the new Bills stadium, and didn’t realize there was mention of building on North Campus. There’s no way that seems viable. Too many logistics and accommodations would need to be worked out between PSE and the university. Large on campus stadiums are common, but they’re used by the university, making huge football profits

 

UB would sell 5K tickets, while playing to an empty stadium. Why wouldn’t SUNY/UB demand rent money from the NFL/Bills ? You put something on my land, have hoards of mongols descend upon it on Sunday who leave mass quantities of garbage, I’m not sure how that sounds like a win for the college campus. Maybe I’m ill informed since I didn’t read the article, if so, please let me know what I’m missing. I don’t get the North Campus thing at all right now. 

 

There are several factors that go into UB attendance. Quality of opponent and time of game are big. (Remember the MAC plays a couple Tuesday/Wednesday games that draw crowds in the dozens!) But a typical Saturday game gets between 15-20K. Basketball averages around 4-5K.

 

The article also describes a plan to improve the current UB Stadium by removing the running track, digging down 10 feet and adding closer seating. But it's still a terrible stadium.

 

But if NYS is going to spend money on that AND a new Bills stadium, why not at least look at building one shared facility? Why not tear down the current UB Stadium and build a new one on the same spot? UB could play at Highmark for a few years during construction.

 

UB didn't even get brought up as a contender to move up to the AAC, which is kind of a slap in the face considering it's the flagship public athletic program in New York State. A new stadium might make them more attractive.

[thenorthremembers]

14 hours ago, Nextmanup said:

I have no real opinion on the new stadium aside from the fact that I adamantly oppose putting it in OP again.

 

That's a huge mistake, which is why I expect it to happen given the history of WNY politics.

 

 

 

 

I imagine the Bills dont want to have their practice field and facilities miles away from their stadium.  For logistical reasons keeping it in OP actually makes a lot of sense.

[LabattBlue]

28 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Why does this have to be so difficult? There simply isn’t the kind of money available for a small market team like Buffalo to construct a brand new facility on a brand new site so:

 

Keep the stadium in OP

 

Retain and enhance the tailgating tradition unique to Bills game day experience 

 

Reduce costs by not having to rebuild and relocate infrastructure, offices, practice facilities, training center

 

Build it with covered seating to keep the fans dry but save the huge cost of a true roof, and the really huge costs of a retractable roof

 

Orient the new stadium correctly to reduce the wind tunnel effect off the lake

 

Utilize a public/private partnership to spread the cost out over as many people and as many years as possible so as to reduce the cost impact on tickets 

 

Done! 

 

 

 

 

Not to nitpick but the bolded was never going to happen even if the stadium was built elsewhere in WNY. 

Edited September 25, 2021 by BTB

[SoCal Deek]

4 minutes ago, BTB said:

Not to nitpick but the bolded was never going to happen even if the stadium was built elsewhere in WNY. 

Yes that is nitpicking. Infrastructure includes roads, utilities, etc. Does that help? 

[chris heff]

15 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said:

Is there a place in or near downtown that would include the present tailgating experience?

It is not in the Bills, the county or Pegula’s best interest for you to tailgate.

[Mrbojanglezs]

Pegula just looking for another funding source