pkwwjd Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 It's all in what you're looking for and what's important to you. Yeah, the jumbotron is not the biggest in the league. Many in the NFL are the same size as our entire scoreboard (most of our scoreboard is static advertizement space). Yeah, the bathrooms stink with no TVs over the peeing troughs. Yeah, the paint is looking bad in many areas. BUT ... I have never been to another stadium where every seat in the house gets you that close to the action with great sightlines. In 2001 or 2002 I went to the PIT-BUF preseason game in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field. We paid $60 per ticket for the cheap seats. Upper endzone -- higher than any of the kicks went that day. Worst seats I have ever sat in at any stadium. Worse than the sightlines at Three Rivers. If watching the game is important to you, the Ralph is one of the best still to this day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heitz Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 I've been to a few different stadiums (most recently Gillette last year and Quest field this year, though there was no game going on) and while The Ralph has it's charms it's a decidedly old school stadium... Personally I love the wide open concorses and spaces in most of the new modern stadiums - they just beat the cinder block halls of the Ralph. In the $20MM article they talk about potentially using some to upgrade the Jumbotron and add some "ribbon" scoreboars around the side of the stadium. The ribbon boards alone would make the place look and feel a lot more modern, plus they would have more room to show scores from other games... It's interesting that the marketing department always talks about the difficulty of striking deals, but there seems to be so many opportunities in the food and beverage category. Why not tap Labbat and create the "Blue Zone" - pain the hall blue, add tables and food, TV's showing other games around the league. Or how about taking advantage of the local cusine - a Beef on Weck joint, and Anchor Bar outpost, perogies. Naturally it's still my favorite place to see a game (where else can you tailgate on a *grass* field - thanks Sully), but the old place could use some updating. Hopefully some Buffalo teenager will come up with the next Facebook (which Yahoo! may buy for 1 BILLION dollars; Scott get on the phones TBD is worth at least that!), buy the Bills and put up a new stadium right downtown! I'll be moving to downtown when that happens! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 It's all in what you're looking for and what's important to you. Yeah, the jumbotron is not the biggest in the league. Many in the NFL are the same size as our entire scoreboard (most of our scoreboard is static advertizement space). Yeah, the bathrooms stink with no TVs over the peeing troughs. Yeah, the paint is looking bad in many areas. BUT ... I have never been to another stadium where every seat in the house gets you that close to the action with great sightlines. In 2001 or 2002 I went to the PIT-BUF preseason game in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field. We paid $60 per ticket for the cheap seats. Upper endzone -- higher than any of the kicks went that day. Worst seats I have ever sat in at any stadium. Worse than the sightlines at Three Rivers. If watching the game is important to you, the Ralph is one of the best still to this day. 787041[/snapback] Three Rivers, with its "in the Round" seating, was great for Pirates games. One could sit along the baselines and not have to turn your head so much to see the action at home plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toeknee24 Posted September 26, 2006 Author Share Posted September 26, 2006 It's all in what you're looking for and what's important to you. Yeah, the jumbotron is not the biggest in the league. Many in the NFL are the same size as our entire scoreboard (most of our scoreboard is static advertizement space). Yeah, the bathrooms stink with no TVs over the peeing troughs. Yeah, the paint is looking bad in many areas. BUT ... I have never been to another stadium where every seat in the house gets you that close to the action with great sightlines. In 2001 or 2002 I went to the PIT-BUF preseason game in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field. We paid $60 per ticket for the cheap seats. Upper endzone -- higher than any of the kicks went that day. Worst seats I have ever sat in at any stadium. Worse than the sightlines at Three Rivers. If watching the game is important to you, the Ralph is one of the best still to this day. 787041[/snapback] I agree about the sightlines, I've never sat in a bad seat at the Ralph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokinandjokin Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 The ribbon boards alone would make the place look and feel a lot more modern, plus they would have more room to show scores from other games... 787087[/snapback] I love the Ralph and will never trash the place. But there is no question it's the worst stadium I've been in for out-of-town scores. I've had money on games where friends have updated me that it's 24-7 Denver over KC at the half, but the scoreboard at the Ralph is flashing 7-3 KC in the 1st. And they don't keep scrolling them, they are sporadic at best when they show them. I agree they must improve this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkyMannn Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 It that $$$ coming from ticket buyers? Assesement on season tix or an upcharge on counter purchases? Or is it going to be stuck on others who don't attend games? Curious... 786291[/snapback] Why shouldn't it be stuck on "OTHERS"? Let them kick in a little. My buying tickets lets them sit home and watch the game for free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiew Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 I agree about the sightlines, I've never sat in a bad seat at the Ralph. Either have I. And IMHO, if you're going to compare stadiums, don't forget to compare ticket prices. We get what we pay for. Since traveling to games is a big chunk of my annual budget, I'd rather have some peeling paint than the $75 for nose bleeds. The new stadium down here in Cowboys country will be awesome. The cheapest seat in the stadium will cost around $90 each and $35-$50 for parking. Sure glad the Cowboys are playing at the Ralph next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Why shouldn't it be stuck on "OTHERS"? Let them kick in a little. My buying tickets lets them sit home and watch the game for free 787188[/snapback] Er, I think the advertisers pay for the tv coverage, and then the broadcasters pay the NFL. If it's not a home sellout, radio coverage is fine with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkyMannn Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Er, I think the advertisers pay for the tv coverage, and then the broadcasters pay the NFL. 787199[/snapback] If it don't sell out, the "OTHERS" don't see it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 If it don't sell out, the "OTHERS" don't see it 787203[/snapback] See my edited post. Be not a slave to the television. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Well they are getting $20Mil to spruce the old dump up. I think security is a major issue. I am getting sick and tired of fans of the other team who are minding their own business getting harrassed by drunk jerk-offs. The Rockpile is really bad for that kind of behavior. The Bills ought to warn out-of-town fans not to sit there. PTR 786285[/snapback] Unfortunately, that happens at ALL stadiums. God forbid you should be at an away game, with a BILLS shirt/jacket etc. and the BILLS are winning....yeah I know, that's a stretch, but ot does happen. The only time I've seen the away fans leave us alone is when you are sitting with a "group" of BILLS fans. Buffalo does not corner the market when it comes to "drunk jerk-offs." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Either have I. And IMHO, if you're going to compare stadiums, don't forget to compare ticket prices. We get what we pay for. Since traveling to games is a big chunk of my annual budget, I'd rather have some peeling paint than the $75 for nose bleeds. The new stadium down here in Cowboys country will be awesome. The cheapest seat in the stadium will cost around $90 each and $35-$50 for parking. Sure glad the Cowboys are playing at the Ralph next year. 787192[/snapback] 35-50 for parking? WOW! Price gouging at its best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkyMannn Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 35-50 for parking? WOW! Price gouging at its best! 787214[/snapback] I saw on another board that Denver charges $50 for stadium parking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udonkey Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Unfortunately, that happens at ALL stadiums. God forbid you should be at an away game, with a BILLS shirt/jacket etc. and the BILLS are winning....yeah I know, that's a stretch, but ot does happen. The only time I've seen the away fans leave us alone is when you are sitting with a "group" of BILLS fans. Buffalo does not corner the market when it comes to "drunk jerk-offs." 787211[/snapback] Which is exactly why I usually try to mind my manners - my goal to hit all of the NFL stadiums leads me to believe that if I'm a prick at the Ralph, karma is going to meet up with me somewhere along the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 I saw on another board that Denver charges $50 for stadium parking 787229[/snapback] In that case, I have one ass cheek reserved for Bowlen and one for Jones, because they can both kiss my A$$ and be assured that I will NEVER pay that much to park for a sporting event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammered a Lot Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 I've been to a few different stadiums (most recently Gillette last year and Quest field this year, though there was no game going on) and while The Ralph has it's charms it's a decidedly old school stadium... Personally I love the wide open concorses and spaces in most of the new modern stadiums - they just beat the cinder block halls of the Ralph. In the $20MM article they talk about potentially using some to upgrade the Jumbotron and add some "ribbon" scoreboars around the side of the stadium. The ribbon boards alone would make the place look and feel a lot more modern, plus they would have more room to show scores from other games... It's interesting that the marketing department always talks about the difficulty of striking deals, but there seems to be so many opportunities in the food and beverage category. Why not tap Labbat and create the "Blue Zone" - pain the hall blue, add tables and food, TV's showing other games around the league. Or how about taking advantage of the local cusine - a Beef on Weck joint, and Anchor Bar outpost, perogies. Naturally it's still my favorite place to see a game (where else can you tailgate on a *grass* field - thanks Sully), but the old place could use some updating. Hopefully some Buffalo teenager will come up with the next Facebook (which Yahoo! may buy for 1 BILLION dollars; Scott get on the phones TBD is worth at least that!), buy the Bills and put up a new stadium right downtown! I'll be moving to downtown when that happens! 787087[/snapback] Who the phuck is Sully. News flash Hammer's Lot also has a grass field! Screw ribbon boards, I want watch the game on hand and could careless about seeing more advertising. Screw downtown News flash the area around the Ralph has been rated as the 2nd safest in the NFL. Blue Zone, the Bills already have one of those. Look for the HUGE Labbat signs scoreboard end, upper outside wall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heitz Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Who the phuck is Sully. News flash Hammer's Lot also has a grass field!Screw ribbon boards, I want watch the game on hand and could careless about seeing more advertising. Screw downtown News flash the area around the Ralph has been rated as the 2nd safest in the NFL. Blue Zone, the Bills already have one of those. Look for the HUGE Labbat signs scoreboard end, upper outside wall. 787341[/snapback] Hammer - clearly your old school! I know your place has a grass lot and I think that's part of the beauty of the The Ralph, the fact that the parking isn't downtown next to some highway. You seriously don't know Sully? he is your neighbor down the road... As for the ribbon board, I'd love to see more scores from other games and stats from the one going on. Didn't know about the Blue Zone, it was just a first example that came to mind when thinking "local Buffalo marketing partners" In the end, with the way the WNY economy works I'm sure neither of us will have to worry too much about seeing any large-scale changes to the old Ralph! I guess the bottom line is that as long as they keep the team there, I'll be a happy camper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamsBuffetTable Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Downtown Stadium = much less tailgaiting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 It's all in what you're looking for and what's important to you. Yeah, the jumbotron is not the biggest in the league. Many in the NFL are the same size as our entire scoreboard (most of our scoreboard is static advertizement space). Yeah, the bathrooms stink with no TVs over the peeing troughs. Yeah, the paint is looking bad in many areas. BUT ... I have never been to another stadium where every seat in the house gets you that close to the action with great sightlines. In 2001 or 2002 I went to the PIT-BUF preseason game in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field. We paid $60 per ticket for the cheap seats. Upper endzone -- higher than any of the kicks went that day. Worst seats I have ever sat in at any stadium. Worse than the sightlines at Three Rivers. If watching the game is important to you, the Ralph is one of the best still to this day. 787041[/snapback] agreed. I have gone to i guess 11 other stadiums, and the Ralph just has that old time feeling to it. Still makes ya feel like your at a football game, not a local business networking event(fed ex the worst for that). I have griped about no TVs in the pissers since I started going to games there way back when the ole girl opened. Crimminy, cant believe i have gone to games there for over 30 years. That is my one and only complaint with the place. Just remember, people had a lot of gripes about the Aud, but dam don't we all wish that barn was still home to the sabres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerme1 Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 Just remember, people had a lot of gripes about the Aud, but dam don't we all wish that barn was still home to the sabres 787483[/snapback] No. And I'm not being sarcastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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