More Stadium Details Emerge

[Doc]

43 minutes ago, Greg S said:

Obviously cost plays a factor here but was a retractable roof ever look into?

 

Yup.  Too much money and they are rarely used.

 

41 minutes ago, NewEra said:

There are hundreds of thousands of bills fans……many wanted a dome.  Many didn’t. I think it’s safe to say that a large number of fans wanted a dome.  It doesn’t have to be proportionate to be “many”.  Just a large number.  

 

I'm not sure who they polled exactly, but I would expect it was season ticket holders and those who have been to games.  The rest who don't go to games don't factor into anything.

[LabattBlue]

Just now, Doc said:

 

Yup.  Too much money and they are rarely used.

 

 

I'm not sure who they polled exactly, but I would expect it was season ticket holders and those who have been to games.  The rest who don't go to games don't factor into anything.

The question is, are the fans they polled in terms of indoor vs. outdoors, the same fans who will be able to afford tickets at the new stadium.  I know it is a done deal, but I hope they don’t regret their stadium choice.  Only time will tell. 

[Jauronimo]

31 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

Yup.  Too much money and they are rarely used.

 

 

I'm not sure who they polled exactly, but I would expect it was season ticket holders and those who have been to games.  The rest who don't go to games don't factor into anything.

Houston has a retractable roof. I believe it costs $1 million to open it.  Which means it gets opened once every 15 years when they host the Super Bowl. 

 

EDIT: Turns out maybe thats because Texans fans suck and other retractable roofs get used way more often.

 

https://www.click2houston.com/news/investigates/2019/11/29/investigation-it-cost-450m-to-build-a-retractable-roof-at-nrg-but-they-rarely-open-it/

Edited July 18, 2022 by Jauronimo

[Doc]

25 minutes ago, BTB said:

The question is, are the fans they polled in terms of indoor vs. outdoors, the same fans who will be able to afford tickets at the new stadium.  I know it is a done deal, but I hope they don’t regret their stadium choice.  Only time will tell. 

 

I have no idea.  

[North Buffalo]

1 hour ago, Doc said:

 

There are always at least a few fools in any base.

 

 

 

Typically that happens when they're not told what to look for.  In this case, the Bills will be telling them to make sure the wind is reduced/eliminated.

Or more likely they dont ask questions from people who actually work there... they just talk to administrators who cant find their arses with both hands and a flashlight

[Logic]

10 hours ago, Buffalo Super Fan said:

The anti dome owner is in a alternate reality and it is going to get real fast when he realizes he is stuck 15 years minimum in a outdoor cold stadium with ticket prices above what this market will pay to freeze outside in the wind, cold and rain. Rain is worse than snow you get wet and it sucks. The Buffalo Bills television experience is too good today to freeze outside. Remember Terry Pegula the fool

can’t move he is locked in for 15 years before he can buy his way out of the new Bills stadium lease. I hope New York State makes him stay with no outs he wanted no dome make Terry Pegula stay there he wanted outdoors so much what a bum in my opinion. Go Bills! Let’s Go Buffalo 

[mjd1001]

I wanted a Dome. I wanted downtown.  We got neither but I'm pretty sure I will really like and be happy with the stadium when it is done. Except for the cost.

[ddaryl]

does every stadium thread have to devolve into a ' should of been a dome" thread

the train left the station. For many it was absurd to use tax payer money to fund most of the stadium, imagine a dome stadium.... That would of been to hard of a sell on all fronts.

Edited July 18, 2022 by ddaryl

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, Doc said:

 

Yup.  Too much money and they are rarely used.

 

 

I'm not sure who they polled exactly, but I would expect it was season ticket holders and those who have been to games.  The rest who don't go to games don't factor into anything.

I didn’t see the poll.  I’m sure that there are “many” Bills fans that would’ve liked a stadium that has the ability to close a roof for certain weather situations.  I didn’t say a majority or even close to it…..just many. That’s all.

[Matt_In_NH]

2 hours ago, Greg S said:

 

Obviously cost plays a factor here but was a retractable roof ever look into?

That definitely adds more cost which is likely a non starter.   My answer to that is why?  People who dont want a dome want the weather advantage against Miami in December/January.  Would you open the roof if it was 20 degrees and blowing 15 MPH with some snow? If not then what is the point, cover it for bad or mild weather and keep it open when the weather is nice?  To me, its dome or no dome, the retractable thing you see in the south.

[Doc]

44 minutes ago, NewEra said:

I didn’t see the poll.  I’m sure that there are “many” Bills fans that would’ve liked a stadium that has the ability to close a roof for certain weather situations.  I didn’t say a majority or even close to it…..just many. That’s all.

I’m not saying you did. I’m saying a majority of those polled did not want a dome. 

[Buffalo716]

2 hours ago, NewEra said:

I’ve always dealt with working 12 hour days in 110 degree heat.  Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t prefer to be working 12 hour days in 70 degree temps.  I dealt with it because I loved my job and the money.  
 

Many dealt with it because they had to.  Not because they wanted to.  There was never a choice in the matter.  Even now, with a new stadium being built, the fans had no choice.  Many won’t be happy with not having a dome.  But they’ll deal with it because they love their team.  Let’s hope they improve the comfort level during the extremely in-climate weather.   

It surely must.  If not, one must wonder

Nobody is forcing anybody to go to a football game tho

 

It’s been open air for 50+ years… You know what you’re dealing with … if you don’t want to go , fans can stay home 

 

And there are plenty of fans who do want to keep open air.. 75% of the people didn’t say dome on the survey and then they just chose open air

 

 

[NewEra]

7 minutes ago, Doc said:

I’m not saying you did. I’m saying a majority of those polled did not want a dome. 

Gotcha

[Buffalo716]

5 hours ago, 13 Second Prevent Defense said:

No one is arguing against that.   Everyone knows the BIlls have existed since the 60's and never had a dome.  But there is a history of dramatically reduced attendance during bad weather so a lot of people have dealt with it by staying home, that is the point people are making.  I don't have a dog in the fight, its done, it wont be a dome so everyone needs to get over it and move on.  The biggest reason may be the added cost.  If the cost was similar you might have seen more traction.

I think fans blow this dramatically reduced attendance out of proportion

 

Yeah during The 17 year drought maybe we had some low attendance numbers

 

When the bills are doing good there’s not dramatically reduced attendance at the Ralph… What do you consider drastically reduced? 40k ? Because that doesn’t happen 

I went back four seasons and the lowest attended game was the snow bowl game against the Colts… 60k… Still brought 60k and sold more 

 

That’s not drastically reduced.. The NFL and Terry Pegula is perfectly fine with 60,000… Hence why the new stadium will be that size

 

 

 

 

 

[PromoTheRobot]

6 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

I think fans blow this dramatically reduced attendance out of proportion

 

Yeah during The 17 year drought maybe we had some low attendance numbers

 

When the bills are doing good there’s not dramatically reduced attendance at the Ralph… What do you consider drastically reduced? 40k ? Because that doesn’t happen 

I went back four seasons and the lowest attended game was the snow bowl game against the Colts… 60k… Still brought 60k and sold more 

 

That’s not drastically reduced.. The NFL and Terry Pegula is perfectly fine with 60,000… Hence why the new stadium will be that size

 

 

 

 

 

 

Absolutely does not. Same ticket issues remain to this day. If there was a roof, there would be no dropoff in game interest late in the season.

Edited July 18, 2022 by PromoTheRobot

[Buffalo716]

1 minute ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Absolutely does not. Same ticket issues remain to this day,

Again it depends what you consider low 

 

I don’t consider 60,000 low and neither does the NFL or Terry Pegula

 

At the peak of the drought maybe they had a game where they drew 48000 which is really bad , but that will never happen again

Edited July 18, 2022 by Buffalo716

[BIGFOOTspaceman]

I just hate the fact that weather affects the outcome to some Bills games...last year in particular.  When I was younger, open air in the elements was an experience.....now, no thanks.  I'll just stay home.  Too many times I've been bone chilled and quite frankly, not really enjoying myself.  I want a dome but understand the people who don't.  I just think the Bills offense and Josh Allen is tooled for a more climate controlled atmosphere.

[PromoTheRobot]

Just now, Buffalo716 said:

Again it depends what you consider low 

 

I don’t consider 60,000 low and neither does the NFL or Terry Pegula

 

Like @13 Second Prevent Defense said, it's moot right now. Stadium is going to be open air. 

[Buffalo716]

5 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Absolutely does not. Same ticket issues remain to this day. If there was a roof, there would be no dropoff in game interest late in the season.

That’s your opinion and not a fact PTR

 

HSBC is enclosed and it’s super empty… They don’t show up because it’s an inside venue

 

If/when the bills go back to being not good.. Those same attendance issues you’re talking about will pop back up in December… dome or no dome 

Edited July 18, 2022 by Buffalo716

[WotAGuy]

2 hours ago, Doc said:

 

I'm not sure who they polled exactly, but I would expect it was season ticket holders and those who have been to games.  The rest who don't go to games don't factor into anything.

I got polled, and let me tell you, it wasn’t a pleasant experience. 

[Doc]

1 minute ago, WotAGuy said:

I got polled, and let me tell you, it wasn’t a pleasant experience. 

 

I think caned would be more fitting...

[NewEra]

27 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Nobody is forcing anybody to go to a football game tho

 

It’s been open air for 50+ years… You know what you’re dealing with … if you don’t want to go , fans can stay home 

 

And there are plenty of fans who do want to keep open air.. 75% of the people didn’t say dome on the survey and then they just chose open air

 

 

You’re right. No one is forcing anyone to go.  
 

They may also be preventing many fans from attending by not putting some sort of roof on.  Most of my aunts and uncles live in Dunkirk or Cheektowaga.  All 70+ years old.  All die hard fans since existence.  None of which would consider attending a game in terrible weather at Highmark.

 

Hopefully they’ll be able to construct the new stadium so the elements won’t be as brutal.  

[Heitz]

Interesting thread - a loooooooooot of speculation based on an article that only provided top line details...

 

My plan, wait to see what it's like rather than complaining about what I think it might not have.  Most importantly, it's being build around Hammer's Lot, so at least OUR traditions will be the same. 🤣  

 

 

[Buffalo716]

12 minutes ago, NewEra said:

You’re right. No one is forcing anyone to go.  
 

They may also be preventing many fans from attending by not putting some sort of roof on.  Most of my aunts and uncles live in Dunkirk or Cheektowaga.  All 70+ years old.  All die hard fans since existence.  None of which would consider attending a game in terrible weather at Highmark.

 

Hopefully they’ll be able to construct the new stadium so the elements won’t be as brutal.  

I fully understand that point

 

My father has been going to games since the rockpile

 

He’s as Buffalo as you get… Season ticket holder for a long time

 

Even as an old timer he understands the stadium experience is built for the younger crowd… The tailgating, Open air, The shenanigans

 

When it gets too cold for him he just watches at home.. He honestly doesn’t complain, He actually likes it better with his HD TV… But he understands the youngins will brave it out

 

He voted no dome on his survey knowing he can’t go to every game And being a purest of the sport

[Don Otreply]

23 hours ago, Virgil said:

Nothing I read about this new stadium leaves me feeling good about the fan experience. 
 

When I read about higher elevated seats and more levels, I think about hiding the every day fans in the upper decks to make room for corporate seating in the lower bowl.  
 

I am genuinely afraid that the lower bowl will be highly priced in both seat value and PSL, and less total seats to make room for walkways and restaurants.  
 

This is how it was in the lower bowl in Jacksonville and I hated it.  
 

I very much hope I’m wrong 

Don’t worry too much, fifty feet higher (but closer toward the field) isn’t going to make much difference when you already aren’t close enough to read jersey numbers in the current/ old stadium nose bleed seats. It appears though ,that they will have bigger and multiple concourse levels/areas which should allow for better amenities that a not to few number of fans have called for repeatedly in one way or another over the years. We all knew higher ticket prices were coming,  higher ticket prices come part and parcel with any new stadium. I suspect that the new house is gonna be real damn nice, (and really loud on game day) jmo of course.

 

 Go Bills!!!

[NewEra]

17 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

I fully understand that point

 

My father has been going to games since the rockpile

 

He’s as Buffalo as you get… Season ticket holder for a long time

 

Even as an old timer he understands the stadium experience is built for the younger crowd… The tailgating, Open air, The shenanigans

 

When it gets too cold for him he just watches at home.. He honestly doesn’t complain, He actually likes it better with his HD TV… But he understands the youngins will brave it out

 

He voted no dome on his survey knowing he can’t go to every game And being a purest of the sport

My relatives would much rather attend the games in person.  Especially playoff games.  The games that matter the most.  But they can’t due to the weather.

 

They didn’t vote, but they told me they were furious when they found out there is no option for even a retractable roof.  Lots of people who attend games didn’t vote.  Mostly older folks that don’t pay attention to online polls and such. 

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

59 minutes ago, WotAGuy said:

I got polled, and let me tell you, it wasn’t a pleasant experience. 

It was probably very similar to a prostate exam

[Buffalo716]

9 minutes ago, NewEra said:

My relatives would much rather attend the games in person.  Especially playoff games.  The games that matter the most.  But they can’t due to the weather.

 

They didn’t vote, but they told me they were furious when they found out there is no option for even a retractable roof.  Lots of people who attend games didn’t vote.  Mostly older folks that don’t pay attention to online polls and such. 

Again I fully understand that 

 

I understand there’s a lot of older people who would like A dome … If we didn’t have such a rabid Fanbase who embraced everything it might be easier to go that route of a dome 

 

But we have 50+ years of embracing the weather despite what some people say that we don’t show up

 

It’s basically if it’s not broke don’t fix it

Edited July 18, 2022 by Buffalo716

[NewEra]

1 minute ago, Buffalo716 said:

Again I fully understand that 

 

I understand there’s a lot of older people who would like A dome … If we didn’t have such a rabid Fanbase who embraced everything it might be easier to go that route of a dome 

 

But we have 50+ years of embracing the weather despite what some people say that we don’t show up

My frugal buddies love how much we show up.  They paid $30 for playoff tickets last year.  

[Buffalo716]

11 minutes ago, NewEra said:

My frugal buddies love how much we show up.  They paid $30 for playoff tickets last year.  

Again I think everybody has a different  Opinion of good attendance and tickets sold is what really matters 

 

I went back four Seasons… The lowest attendance for any December or January game was 60,000… the snowbowl for Indy 

 

Before the patriots playoff game last year trolls were talking about how many tickets were for sale… Not mentioning the fact that those were all secondary tickets… It doesn’t matter if there’s 10,000 tickets for sale on the secondary market, Because those 10,000 were already bought from Pegula 

Not to mention 10000 Season ticket holders are from Canada or Syracuse or Rochester or out of state… And they all can’t make the game… and lots bought playoff tickets 

 

Hence why 10 thousand tickets go on the secondary market

 

I called the Buffalo Bills 4 days before the patriots game.. To see how many actual tickets left from the box office there were… I was told less than 300

 

So they sold them all… Which is what actually matters

 

Edited July 18, 2022 by Buffalo716

[NewEra]

16 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Again I think everybody has a different  Opinion of good attendance and tickets sold is what really matters 

 

I went back four Seasons… The lowest attendance for any December or January game was 60,000… the snowbowl for Indy 

 

Before the patriots playoff game last year trolls were talking about how many tickets were for sale… Not mentioning the fact that those were all secondary tickets… It doesn’t matter if there’s 10,000 tickets for sale on the secondary market, Because those 10,000 were already bought from Pegula 

Not to mention 10000 Season ticket holders are from Canada or Syracuse or Rochester or out of state… And they all can’t make the game… and lots bought playoff tickets 

 

Hence why 10 thousand tickets go on the secondary market

 

I called the Buffalo Bills 4 days before the patriots game.. To see how many actual tickets left from the box office there were… I was told less than 300

 

So they sold them all… Which is what actually matters

 

Just like most debates, there are statistics that help prove both sides of an argument

 

http://www.espn.com/nfl/attendance/_/year/2017/sort/homePct

 

sort by home percentage and then check each season.  They started keeping track in 2006.  We were dead last that season.  We haven’t finished in the top 1/2 of the league once.  
 

2010-29th

2011-29th

2012-26th

2013-24th

2014-24th

2015-16th

2016-23rd

2017-24th

2018-28th

2019-17th

2021-21st

 

i don’t care enough to spend anymore time on the subject.  I get your point.  I too enjoy an open aired stadium more than a dome stadium.  I only attend maybe 1-2 home games a year, so my opinion really doesn’t mean anything.  I just don’t believe that are home attendance is very good compared to the league.  The stats prove it

[Buffalo716]

16 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Just like most debates, there are statistics that help prove both sides of an argument

 

http://www.espn.com/nfl/attendance/_/year/2017/sort/homePct

 

sort by home percentage and then check each season.  They started keeping track in 2006.  We were dead last that season.  We haven’t finished in the top 1/2 of the league once.  
 

2010-29th

2011-29th

2012-26th

2013-24th

2014-24th

2015-16th

2016-23rd

2017-24th

2018-28th

2019-17th

2021-21st

 

i don’t care enough to spend anymore time on the subject.  I get your point.  I too enjoy an open aired stadium more than a dome stadium.  I only attend maybe 1-2 home games a year, so my opinion really doesn’t mean anything.  I just don’t believe that are home attendance is very good compared to the league.  The stats prove it

Again I also understand your point… But If the worst season we did was 90% capacity… That’s still really not a concern

 

 

The weak teams below us are in the 80% 70% range , that’s a problem

 

The 17 years of no playoffs absolutely weakened some spirits 100% regardless of today

 

We also led the league in attendance in 1990.. So if we win consistently it’s gonna come back

 

It’s coming back… The drought spurned a lot of people

Edited July 18, 2022 by Buffalo716

[Punching Bag]

19 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

You're not taking account games where tickets are going for $6. It was really embarrassing when our lone playoff game last year had resale tix for $25. It was -5. you say? Well if you don't want a dome, that shouldn't matter. should it.

 

If Bills do not want cheap seats dumped on market they should stop restricting zip codes and stop selling them first to ticket agencies which are dumping them to make whatever they can when their resales are poor.

[cba fan]

On 7/18/2022 at 11:49 AM, Buffalo716 said:

Nobody is forcing anybody to go to a football game tho

 

It’s been open air for 50+ years… You know what you’re dealing with … if you don’t want to go , fans can stay home 

 

And there are plenty of fans who do want to keep open air.. 75% of the people didn’t say dome on the survey and then they just chose open air

 

 

every public poll. Every article asking fans. Every FB poll asking for responses show more than 50% want a dome. Most showed 60 to 80 % favoring a dome.

 

many of these likely are fans who will not go in cold bad weather. And older fans. You also hear time and again younger fans who wish to bring older family members but they cannot tolerate the elements. Bills are missing out on large fan attendance group. The partial roof may appease many and hopefully will work. The Tottenham HotSpurs stadium template populous said they will follow, looks like a great compromise.

 

looking forward to the new stadium with the wind negated.

 

Survey Shows What Bills Fans Want for New Stadium in Buffalo (driveresearch.com)

 

www.driveresearch.com/market-research-company-blog/survey-shows-what-bills-fans-want-for-new-stadium-in-buffalo/

 

Only 33% of Buffalo Bills fans are satisfied with the decision to not add a roof to the new stadium.

Bills fans want a mechanized roof, more entrances and exits for cars, and additional bathrooms in the new Buffalo stadium.

 

 

Edited July 19, 2022 by cba fan

[Augie]

5 hours ago, Heitz said:

Interesting thread - a loooooooooot of speculation based on an article that only provided top line details...

 

My plan, wait to see what it's like rather than complaining about what I think it might not have.  Most importantly, it's being build around Hammer's Lot, so at least OUR traditions will be the same. 🤣  

 

 

 

I don’t know where you’ll sit in the stadium, but your tailgate will be like a high end suite on the 50 yard line! 

[nucci]

well, if only 60K seats a lot won't be able to go anyway

[PromoTheRobot]

6 hours ago, Limeaid said:

 

If Bills do not want cheap seats dumped on market they should stop restricting zip codes and stop selling them first to ticket agencies which are dumping them to make whatever they can when their resales are poor.

 

I was not aware they did that. First I heard.

[Since1981]

22 hours ago, Buffalo716 said:

And we’ve always dealt with it

Grumpy old men here. -5F? At least it couldn’t rain  …horses, telegraph and football in -5F. NHL plays in Dixie—Let’s advance people. Pegulas $5B is serious multigenerational wealth, that can’t be an inhibitor either. Has anyone realized he can give $1B to each kid and it’s functionally VERY hard to spend 1,000 millions. 

Edited July 19, 2022 by Since1981

[RyanC883]

On 7/17/2022 at 9:46 PM, Buffalo716 said:

All of those tickets were bought first hand first for face value 

 

it absolutely doesn’t matter to the league or the pegulas what the secondary market goes for 

 

the tickets sold originally … that’s the only fact

 

if 70k were sold and only 62k showed up … well pegulas still sold 70k

 

it matters in terms of home field advantage and noise level.  It also matters to the fans considering traveling from out of town to buy tickets.  Oh, -5, rainstorm, it sucks.  It also defeats our biggest strength, our offense. 

[Buffalo716]

23 minutes ago, RyanC883 said:

 

it matters in terms of home field advantage and noise level.  It also matters to the fans considering traveling from out of town to buy tickets.  Oh, -5, rainstorm, it sucks.  It also defeats our biggest strength, our offense. 

The biggest advantage of playing Outdoors in the winter is the effect it has on the opposing quarterback usually 

 

Jack Kemp, Kelly and Allen all have an advantage most don’t… They possess really good arm strength to cut it through games in late December and January

 

As much as you think it’s going to hamper our offense… It’s going to hamper the other teams quarterback and offense even worse 

 

hence 11-3 all time in the playoffs At the Ralph 

 

And the coaches could bring us outside late in the year and we could practice in it to get semi used to it

 

Other teams will struggle coming here worse… always has 

 

It literally takes a once in a lifetime windstorm to make us really ineffective… And even then Josh threw a pass 50 yards down the field that hit diggs in the hands

 

 

Edited July 19, 2022 by Buffalo716