BILLS02138 Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 After reading the article from the Gazette - the BILLS should sell the naming rights to the stadium, the field house, the lots, and the entrances to the stadium, etc. Go to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and everything has a name on it. The Bills do too; but it's time to max it out in Orchard Park. Regarding the "Name" of the stadium however - it doesn't necessarily have to be a local company - M&T Bank (nah, already attached to the Ravens); HSBC Stadium? (nah, they have the arena downtown). Although nice if it were local; we could maybe reach out to Toronto - to further help regionalize the team. But at the same time, I wouldn't complain if Bob Rich stepped back up to the plate - Rich Stadium, seems familiar. (Does anyone know why that agreement wasn't renewed/continued? I know Erie County and Ralph came up with the new name; but it would have made more sense to sell the damn name! It would at least give Ralph more creditibility, esp when it comes to revenue sharing. How can we ask for more when we're not maxed out to our potential?) Anyhow... What about New Era Park? New Era is currently building their headquarters in downtown Buffalo... I really like the ring of the Buffalo Bills playing at New Era Park... just an idea; get on it Ralph/Marv. Ya know, Mr. Golisano has publically expressed interest in purchasing the Buffalo Bills. If he were serious, he should step up and offer a very generous package (just for naming rights) to Ralph with Paychex Park... I don't mind that, either. OR, The BSC Coliseum: here is something new to Buffalo: NEW outside money is coming to Buffalo --> Did you hear the news about the 29 year old Kuwaiti/Manchester, England developer who recently bought the Statler tower in downtown Buffalo? The guy is loaded. Check this out! Not only is he self financing the $80Million renovation/preservation of The Statler - he's building a new, very TALL tower in BUF: "Bashar Issa says he believes in Buffalo and its people, and will soon announce a second project. Issa said, "We have already acquired other land in the city center of Buffalo. We have already commissioned Canon Design to actually design a dramatic building. ... It's not far from the Statler. It will be very tall. It will be an iconic, symbolic building. We'll have to wait a few weeks for more details." This guy can clearly afford to pony up $75 million for naming rights - but he can probably partner up with Golisano to buy the Bills out right! Which leads me to my next statement: You probably don't know this but there is a ton of development occuring in downtown Buffalo - it's time to seriously start thinking about getting that new stadium built downtown. If we were smart - we could have coaxed Pataki to "donate" tax dollars & leave a legacy in Buffalo for a new stadium before he departs this fall; afterall, he just gave $200,000,000 for a new convention center in ALBANY. What the heck! (again, I still believe Buffalo needs to steal the original plans for the Jets West Side Stadium in Manhattan that included a stadium and convention center and build it in downtown Buffalo. Buffalo needs to get rid of that eyesore for a convention center - and will one day - need a new stadium for the BILLS). Let's do it. I'm tired of Buffalo thinking small and the region letting it's insecurity and reputation take over. GO BILLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corp000085 Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 After reading the article from the Gazette - the BILLS should sell the naming rights to the stadium, the field house, the lots, and the entrances to the stadium, etc. Go to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough and everything has a name on it. The Bills do too; but it's time to max it out in Orchard Park. Regarding the "Name" of the stadium however - it doesn't necessarily have to be a local company - M&T Bank (nah, already attached to the Ravens); HSBC Stadium? (nah, they have the arena downtown). Although nice if it were local; we could maybe reach out to Toronto - to further help regionalize the team. But at the same time, I wouldn't complain if Bob Rich stepped back up to the plate - Rich Stadium, seems familiar. (Does anyone know why that agreement wasn't renewed/continued? I know Erie County and Ralph came up with the new name; but it would have made more sense to sell the damn name! It would at least give Ralph more creditibility, esp when it comes to revenue sharing. How can we ask for more when we're not maxed out to our potential?) Anyhow... What about New Era Park? New Era is currently building their headquarters in downtown Buffalo... I really like the ring of the Buffalo Bills playing at New Era Park... just an idea; get on it Ralph/Marv. Ya know, Mr. Golisano has publically expressed interest in purchasing the Buffalo Bills. If he were serious, he should step up and offer a very generous package (just for naming rights) to Ralph with Paychex Park... I don't mind that, either. OR, The BSC Coliseum: here is something new to Buffalo: NEW outside money is coming to Buffalo --> Did you hear the news about the 29 year old Kuwaiti/Manchester, England developer who recently bought the Statler tower in downtown Buffalo? The guy is loaded. Check this out! Not only is he self financing the $80Million renovation/preservation of The Statler - he's building a new, very TALL tower in BUF: "Bashar Issa says he believes in Buffalo and its people, and will soon announce a second project. Issa said, "We have already acquired other land in the city center of Buffalo. We have already commissioned Canon Design to actually design a dramatic building. ... It's not far from the Statler. It will be very tall. It will be an iconic, symbolic building. We'll have to wait a few weeks for more details." This guy can clearly afford to pony up $75 million for naming rights - but he can probably partner up with Golisano to buy the Bills out right! Which leads me to my next statement: You probably don't know this but there is a ton of development occuring in downtown Buffalo - it's time to seriously start thinking about getting that new stadium built downtown. If we were smart - we could have coaxed Pataki to "donate" tax dollars & leave a legacy in Buffalo for a new stadium before he departs this fall; afterall, he just gave $200,000,000 for a new convention center in ALBANY. What the heck! (again, I still believe Buffalo needs to steal the original plans for the Jets West Side Stadium in Manhattan that included a stadium and convention center and build it in downtown Buffalo. Buffalo needs to get rid of that eyesore for a convention center - and will one day - need a new stadium for the BILLS). Let's do it. I'm tired of Buffalo thinking small and the region letting it's insecurity and reputation take over. GO BILLS 747723[/snapback] I don't know the specifics of the deal, but i believe ralph has a $$ interest in NOT selling the naming rights to the stadium (or if they are sold, the profits go to erie county instead of ralph)... I believe one of the main points that must be addressed when ralph attends training camp in the sky is the deal with the stadium and the county. If a big money guy like golisano buys the bills, he should also look at the stadium deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailog80 Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 I like R.Rich stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 I don't know the specifics of the deal, but i believe ralph has a $$ interest in NOT selling the naming rights to the stadium (or if they are sold, the profits go to erie county instead of ralph)...I believe one of the main points that must be addressed when ralph attends training camp in the sky is the deal with the stadium and the county. If a big money guy like golisano buys the bills, he should also look at the stadium deal. 747729[/snapback] Ralph would get the $'s from selling the naming rights to the stadium. I doubt he would ever allow someone to buy the right to put their name or their company's name on the marquee because he HATED the fact that the naming rights to the stadium were sold when it was built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 Ralph would get the $'s from selling the naming rights to the stadium. I doubt he would ever allow someone to buy the right to put their name or their company's name on the marquee because he HATED the fact that the naming rights to the stadium were sold when it was built. He likely won't have any choice. I'm sure one of the qualifiers for revenue sharing be that the team's stadium must have their naming rights sold. And I think that's a reasonable request. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 He likely won't have any choice. I'm sure one of the qualifiers for revenue sharing be that the team's stadium must have their naming rights sold. And I think that's a reasonable request. 747800[/snapback] OK, let me rephrase it to the following. I doubt he would ever WILLINGLY allow someone to buy the right to put their name or their company's name on the marquee because he HATED the fact that the naming rights to the stadium were sold when it was built. I was just looking at it from the aspect of the lease with Erie County. I have no idea how the NFL's CBA works and will readily defer to others far more knowledgable on that issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 OK, let me rephrase it to the following. I doubt he would ever WILLINGLY allow someone to buy the right to put their name or their company's name on the marquee because he HATED the fact that the naming rights to the stadium were sold when it was built. I thought that well-known. When the Rich Products' rights ran out in 1998, Ralph said he didn't want to cheapen the stadium by selling the naming rights again. Personally I think he's waiting for the team to become good again before he sells them. They're not worth much right now with the team playing like crap, but if they become good again, the rights will be worth a LOT more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmac17 Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 They're not worth much right now with the team playing like crap, but if they become good again, the rights will be worth a LOT more. They are worth PLENTY right now, regardless of their record. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 I thought that well-known. When the Rich Products' rights ran out in 1998, Ralph said he didn't want to cheapen the stadium by selling the naming rights again. Personally I think he's waiting for the team to become good again before he sells them. They're not worth much right now with the team playing like crap, but if they become good again, the rights will be worth a LOT more. 747810[/snapback] I would have thought that as well, but the initial posts in this thread seem to contradict that assumption. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 I kinda like the fact that we haven't whored out every aspect of the Bills yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 They are worth PLENTY right now, regardless of their record. How much do you figure? Maybe $2M a year? I think that's the high-end. And while it's something, it's not going to be the difference between getting revenue-sharing and not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmac17 Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 I thought you were talking about the franchise, not the naming rights. I bet the naming rights are less than $2 million per year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted August 20, 2006 Share Posted August 20, 2006 I thought you were talking about the franchise, not the naming rights. I bet the naming rights are less than $2 million per year. Yeah, I was talking naming rights and I agree $2M at best. As for franchise worth, it's in the $700M range. Kinda hard to see a potential owner, after the new joke of a CBA, saying "hmmm, I'd LOVE to plunk down $700M+ and have to look for a handout every year just to make a profit!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 You guys are right!! People say the Bills are missing out on big money by not giving the naming rights to someone. Max 2M a year. So less than 2% of the budget. Not really gonna be the difference maker between the big and small market teams is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 You guys are right!! People say the Bills are missing out on big money by not giving the naming rights to someone. Max 2M a year. So less than 2% of the budget. Not really gonna be the difference maker between the big and small market teams is it? No it's not, as I said. But Ralph HAS to do it, given it's a potential revenue stream he's left untapped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Bills fan Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Geez... wouldn't it be nice to be able to avoid all this corporate merchandising bullcrap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 We found out Friday that Pole 5 will be brought to you by Toyota this year but the turd boxes will again be supported by Lexus.....if some asshol parks a Lexus next to them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 You guys are right!! People say the Bills are missing out on big money by not giving the naming rights to someone. Max 2M a year. So less than 2% of the budget. Not really gonna be the difference maker between the big and small market teams is it? 747982[/snapback] 2 million a year could be the difference in offering a FA a 12 million bonus instead of a 10 million. Or a 6 mil a year contract instead of a 4 mil a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 2 million a year could be the difference in offering a FA a 12 million bonus instead of a 10 million. Or a 6 mil a year contract instead of a 4 mil a year. Not necessarily. It all depends on how much is being spent on the cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted August 21, 2006 Share Posted August 21, 2006 Let's take a collection for the "Two Bills Drive dot-com field at Ralph Wilson Stadium!" I think Ralph will go for that. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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