THN.com Blog: Distant early warning for Buffalo
Fans in Western New York are crazy about the Sabres and fill HBSC Arena to the max, but will that change if Lindy Ruff and the Sabres continue to struggle? (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
Jason Kay
2008-10-04 11:56:59
I was perusing the Team Reports for an upcoming issue of The Hockey News (the old-school paper version, that is) when I was struck by a sense of optimism in many quarters of the NHL.
Our themed category was Market Buzz and while there are notable pockets of pessimism, skies are blue, waters are still and acne has cleared in a surprising number of locales. And, no, Gary Bettman didn’t author the team stories.
In places such as Chicago, Anaheim, Atlanta, Columbus, Boston, Minnesota, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Washington (and all of Canada, of course) there is a belief among our correspondents that excitement is high in the markets they cover, never mind this is prime time for MLB playoffs, the NFL season is in full swing and the global economy is in a free-fall.
However, a couple lines in one of the stories triggered alarm bells for me. Call it my DEW (Distant Early Warning) sensor going off, but I have a modicum of concern for a team in hockey’s heartland: the Buffalo Sabres.
“Buffalo just doesn’t seem as psycho about the Sabres,” writes our contributor John Vogl. “Football is king again and has recaptured everyone’s imagination. It appears hockey season may not start in full until January.”
Naturally, this needs to be put into perspective. The Sabres are still thriving. Ticket sales remain high – they figure to continue to sell out – and their merchandise is still red hot. Short-term, all is fine.
It’s the long-term picture that worries me. Buffalo is a small, fragile market with serious economic issues, which stand to be exacerbated by the stock market tumble. In places such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York, the local baseball and/or football teams can flourish and still leave huge dollars left over for the NHL club.
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That’s not the case in Buffalo. With the Bills off to a 4-0 start and the Sabres coming off a highly disappointing non-playoff season, the balance of spending power is now back in the football team’s field. If the Sabres stumble again this season, how quickly will the entertainment dollars evaporate?
Before this off-season, owner Tom Golisano took a hardline, bottom-line approach with his hockey venture, eschewing long-term, big-buck demands from several headliners. It cost the club Daniel Briere, Chris Drury and Brian Campbell, not to mention goodwill among the paying customers.
That philosophy has shifted somewhat – signings of Ryan Miller and Jason Pominville are Exhibit A and B – but what if it’s too little, too late? Or what if the Sabres can’t elevate themselves and begin to bleed money? How much patience will Golisano have?
Remember, this is a team he purchased from bankruptcy just five years ago. I hope a perfect economic hockey storm isn’t brewing in Western New York, but a puffy cloud or two is starting to form in that brilliant blue sky.
Jason Kay is the editor in chief of The Hockey News and a regular contributor to THN.com. His blog appears every Friday.
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John Smith (Posted 2008-10-14 22:57:22)
Does the author of this article realize that there is a waiting list for season tickets in Buffalo in which people are willing to pay $100 a seat just to be on this list? This is ridiculous and insulting that you are even writing this article. Step into Buffalo any night a game is on and take a look at the local bars that are packed with people watching the Sabres games because they can't get seats at the arena. Buffalo sports fans have enough rooms in their hearts and their wallets to support both teams.
Dirk (Posted 2008-10-07 08:06:26)
Chris, I would love to agree with you about the Bills. But the only way that happens is if Wilson sells the Bills before he dies or if he has something in his will allowing the executors of his estate to sell the Bills for lower value to an owner that keeps the team in Buffalo. Otherwise, the executors of his estate will have to sell the franchise for the highest amount. The Bills are absolutely worth more in LA or Toronto or some other city besides Buffalo, and a potential buyer can and will spend more with the plan on moving the team.
John (Posted 2008-10-06 20:57:06)
Buffalo can support both the Bills and the Sabres. Look at other cities around the NHL - they are EMPTY. Buffalo is consistently full, fans buy tons of merchandise, and they have one of the strongest followings in the country. Start writing articles about Detroit or New Jersey or any of the southern teams. They don't sell out while Buffalo has sold every game out the past 3 seasons. The Bills are thriving as well. Who is this writer anyways? He has no basis and seems to hate Buffalo - this guy writes for the Hockey News? Must be a Leafs fan.
Chris (Posted 2008-10-06 20:50:54)
The Bills will be purchased by local investors and they will never leave Buffalo. If the Bills continue to do well, the Sabres will suffer. The Bills have over 58,000 season ticket holders and will never leave. The Sabres should worry - especially if they don't play well.
Dirk (Posted 2008-10-06 12:11:35)
Jason needs to remember that Buffalo never had the boom that the other markets had. NY, Chicago, Atlanta, etc. boomed the last 10-15 years. Salaries and home prices skyrocketed, new homes were built, etc. That didn't happen in Buffalo. It was pretty much business as usual. And that has been continued during the downturn. Home prices are rising at their usual snail's pace, and the economy hasn't burst. Buffalo will be fine, especially when the Bills leave after Ralph Wilson dies. You think Sabres fans are rabid now? Just wait.
Josh Brewster (Posted 2008-10-06 11:59:49)
Buffalo will be fine, although Jason brings up some important issues. Buffalo's struggles in free agency, but the team's real Achilles Heel is their lack of a physical defenseman or three. Plus, Lindy refuses to develop a checking line (he told me this to my face last spring), so as for Buffalo winning a Cup, fuhgettaboutit! But, that said, don't doubt the Buffalo fan. I grew up in Buffalo during truly severe economic times (the 70s...far worse than now, I assure you). The people there will support the Bills and Sabres just fine. As for Hamilton, good luck, I'd love to see 1 or 2 more Canadian teams, but the Sabres won't be relocated.
In the interest of full disclosure, I blog aobut the Ducks for The Hockey News - go to Team/League blogs.
Sheila Copps (Posted 2008-10-06 11:08:35)
Move 'em to Hamilton!! Jim Balsillie to the rescue.
Rangers57 (Posted 2008-10-06 10:52:05)
While I don't live in the Buffalo area, I sure do think that unless something drastic happens BUFFALO will do just fine where they are. All this side board talk that keeps showing up about putting another team Ontario just never seems to end. I do understand fans wanting to see some "MAGIC" in a team materializing in Ontario, but again I don't see it happening anytime soon but again who knows. One thing I am sure of, if any team does relocate to Ontario there will be screams about where they do go. ENOUGH!
Eric (Posted 2008-10-06 10:07:51)
The economy is bad everywhere in the US right now. I would be more worried about all teams that rely heavily on corporate luxary box sales for revinue. In terms of Buffalo's economy, it didn't experience the housing bubble that other areas did, like northern VA for instance. With that comes the fact that Buffalo has a below normal forclosure rate and lower than average housing prices may make it an ideal place for relocating famlies and businesses.
I understand he must come to this conclusion based on the fact that the Sabres were bankrupt just a few years ago, but that was due to criminal mismanagement that ended the Adelphia Cable company and landed the Rigas family in jail!
I don't think the future of Buffalo and the Sabres is as bleak as the writer of this story would have you believe. The premise is based off of paper stats, a single quote from a Buffalo News sports writer and wild speculation.
Alan Walker (Posted 2008-10-06 08:59:35)
With Edwards out indefinately fans will be falling all over themselves jumping off the Bills' bandwagon and onto the Sabres'.
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-10-06 08:40:16)
Here we go again...another franchise is theoretically in, or going to be in, dire straights financially, and let's break out the panic alarms. Buffalo is going to be fine. That city has had economic issues before, during the almost 40 years of the franchise's existence. Their owner went to jail and the franchise was actually bankrupt, yet they're still there. Buffalo is going nowhere, Hamilton! Also, Thor, try looking up actual facts before you spout off about another franchise. Detroit sold out every playoff game last year, and every game towards the end of the regular season (the numbers are there, if you want to find them, rather than repeat what other posters have already wrongly put out there). At the playoff games I was at, the only empty seats I saw were at the start of the game (stupid T-shirt giveaway made me miss the opening face-off) and after intermissions (those bathrooms are a pain to get in and out of, if you ask me). There is no problem with the fans being disinterested in southern Michigan (and part of southern Ontario), just economic issues that will sort themselves out. The owner is in no danger of going bankrupt, the fans still show up (over a million at the Cup parade), and Detroit is pretty much as solid as any franchise not in Canada can be.
Thor (Posted 2008-10-05 21:04:35)
Buffalo has one of the best fan followings in the NHL! If you want to "sound and alarm", look to Detroit. Here is a city that had empty seats throughout the playoffs, and will struggle to attract capacity crowds this year. Don't buy the story that all the tickets are sold to companies and people just are choosing not to show up...wrong...buy any seats you want firsthand on Ticketmaster.
Daren Bukator (Posted 2008-10-05 20:49:24)
Buffalo will be fine. They love their team and Canadians support them alomost as much.
And stop bashing the Leafs...wow! As if they'll be terrible forever...once the Leafs have a decent team again (and it WILL happen) you guys will all jump back on the waggon and you know it.
Everyone knows they've been bad for a while now but don't tell people to stop going to games! haha come on! Leaf fans would never tell other fans to stop supporting their favourite team...thats rediculus...give me a break.
John M (Posted 2008-10-05 14:48:51)
Why do you write this negative crap?
sean miller (Posted 2008-10-05 14:31:49)
Hey Beth, or perhaps it's because there's at least a thread of running through all of it.
Elizabeth Murphy (Posted 2008-10-05 13:26:48)
It seems every year some team somewhere is going to be in trouble according to some of the columnists in THN. It must have been a slow hockey news week.
Uncle Ducky (Posted 2008-10-05 13:15:20)
I am not exactly sure where the author gets his information,or how,but when I lived in Southern Ontario,I attended many Sabres games during both the lean years and when the team excelled.I only attended games before the HSBC opened,but I was thrilled by the attendance and the enthusiasm of it.I hope they thrive and stay.I know many Ontarians would be saddened to see their demise.Better bang for your buck than at ACC.
Robert Patrick Moscato (Posted 2008-10-05 10:32:31)
Buffalo come the First week of October is a great place to be for Hockey fans. Sabres fans are one of the most passionate and knowledgeable in the NHL. Sabres fans supported the Blue and Gold through their worst season in four years. With Lindy Ruff behind the bench The Sabres have the talent I believe to get a playoff spot. After they do that who knows how far they could go.
Jason Bussman (Posted 2008-10-05 08:08:51)
It's obvious that Mr. Kay doesn't live anywhere close to Buffalo. Yes, the Bills are off to a great start and Buffalo is buzzing about them, but excitement for the Sabres has lasted all summer long. Darcy Regier did everything he NEEDED to do, and the Sabres have stayed in the news since July 1st. Buffalo can support both teams, and don't worry: they won't get off to a slow start. I hope you picked them as one of your dark horses, because playoffs here we come!!!!!
Lamar (Posted 2008-10-05 03:50:38)
I wish the buttheads in WNY would worry more about our local economy, which sucks btw, more than they try to live vicariously through these sports teams. Focus should be on getting more jobs here. However, I understand the reason that there are so many people who are such ardent fans here is that the teams do offer a glimmer of positive feelings to a city which has gone through almost forty years of very dire times and huge losses of jobs and population. The same selfish attitudes that sucked the energy out of this area is now being felt in many other parts of the Nation and the world today, it's called greed and power. We may be seeing more than one team or one city or even one sport losing franchises if you look at the broad picture. Neighborhoods and communities splintered, families separated the thousands of miles, increased urban blight and inner city kids that are simply lost, victims of a criminal environment and a lack of any plan to change things, this has been the the last four decades in Western New York and much more of the rust belt cities. When the idiots who post things like "why don't you support your team?", maybe it's because some folks have realized it's more important to support your family than some millionaire sports figure. I'd gladly give up the Sabres and the Bills if it meant that the kids in this area could grow up and live a comfortable life near their friends and family. But I doubt that either will happen in my lifetime and until that happens I'll be cheering loudly for both teams. I would also bet on about five or six other organizations relocating before the Sabres, including the Devils and Islanders, having lived in the NYC metro area from 1982-2004. The stock market mess will devastate the three teams there, but only the Rangers have the diehards to survive.
Bob Walsh (Posted 2008-10-05 03:43:27)
Jason, The season has started. There has to be at least 20 more valid topics to write about than this. Buffalo will be fine. For those of you in Hamilton, I can sympathise to a point. This, we need a team in Hamilton crap is getting old. If the Leafs suck, don't go. Quit buying their merchandise and stop putting up with their outrageous ticket prices.
Mark (Posted 2008-10-05 00:42:31)
What needs to be added to this article is that Buffalo is a hub for many hockey fans. Watch a Leafs-Sabres game on tv. Or a Habs-Sabres game. Or a Sens-Sabres game. Or an Oilers-Sabres game. You'll see a lotta visiting team fans in the stands. I went to see the Oilers play the Sabres in Feb. of 2007, and a large portion of the fans were Oiler fans. Buffalo has fantastic hockey fans, but I think the Sabres organization depends on visiting fans at times to stabilize their revenue and attendance. I am a Sabres fan because they put forth a good product and they have a good team. Buffalo will always have a competitive team. The Sabres won't ever end up in poor shape like an expansion team because they have a good GM, the city supports the team, and fans from relatively nearby cities will always travel to HSBC to watch.
zakman (Posted 2008-10-04 21:00:50)
Well, the essay does have some validity. I am one of the few Buffalonians who would rather see a Stanley Cup winner then a Super Bowl winner. Most Buffalo sport fans do not get interested in hockey till the football season is over, however. I agree that if the Sabres have another dismal season, the ticket sales will drop quickly. Big Tom, who is thinking of selling the Sabres, might just make up his mind in a hurry. He has said he is a buisness man first. He can make a nice profit if he sells while the team still has some real good players under contract. If they start to lose, the value will go down. So, what is the future for Tom? Who knows. But, the Buffalo Sabres will stay and thrive, because they will be the only pro sports team in Buffalo once Ralph dies and the Bills are moved. That, you can count on!
whatsthatsmell (Posted 2008-10-04 20:49:25)
I hope Buffalo folds. Then we can get another team here in Southern Ontario, which can actually support two teams. And maybe if we are lucky, we can actually get a good team here. Something to cheer about instead of the crappy Leafs.
dave (Posted 2008-10-04 20:15:02)
Duncan, i agree with you. i doubt it would but the leafs are against having a team so close to them because they are shelfish and want all the money they can get, and buffalo wouldn't allow it because it would kill their team, unless someone mentioned they moved to hamilton; I don't see that happening though.
Erik SabresFan (Posted 2008-10-04 19:22:30)
Until you go to Buffalo for more than a day, you have no reason to have a valid opinion on the way the city feels about its team. Honestly, I can't tell you how Nashville is in regards to their team just cause I've seen a game there. And the only reason the Buffalo-Toronto games are 50-50 is because the leafs sell out every game and its easier to get Sabres tickets before the season starts than it is leafs tickets and its only an hour(roughly) away. Buffalo is doing fine, and like the other person said, maybe you should be more worried about NJ who just put a brand new rink up, has a playoff team and hall of fame goalie and averages less people per night than the sabres have season ticket holders. The NJ market, while competing with NYR and NYI(sorta), still has a markte of about 15 million compared to Buffalo's at about 2 million. So when trying to find a team to dump on for no reason, there are plenty of other more worthy team out there. Thank you and goodnight
Duncan (Posted 2008-10-04 16:50:10)
George, a relatively good percentage of those who live in Southern Ontario already come to the Sabres games. Not to mention at a Leaf's game in Buffalo the crowd is about 50 - 50. I don't think moving the Sabres up the QE a half hour is going to make a dent in the "Leaf's monopoly".
kathy (Posted 2008-10-04 15:22:15)
Anyone who listens to everything John Vogel says needs to know he has a darkside to his views about Tom and the Sabres after a shun he received at a press conference.
The Sabres are alive and well financially and spiritually
Justin gerardi (Posted 2008-10-04 14:28:03)
if people are not excited then y did over 13000 people renew their season tickets. if your worried bout some cities look at Florida, Phoenix, Boston cities that cant even get that many to a Friday night let alone a team that will have that on a Tuesday night game against boring new jersey
George (Posted 2008-10-04 12:21:55)
You could always move them up the QEW into Hamilton. The GTA has an enormous market and there really needs to be team to break up the Leafs monopoly on the 9 million people that live in southern Ontario.
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