How about those Buffalo fans
May 11th, 2009 at 11:05 pm by John Murphy under News 4 Buffalo Sports
They never cease to amaze me, the fans of Buffalo’s pro sports teams.
We all know the litany of woe–two straight years without a playoff appearance for the Sabres, nine straght for the Bills. And yet, fans of Buffalo’s two major pro sports teams remain loyal and supportive.
The news comes today that the Buffalo Sabres have received 94-percent renewals from their season ticket customers from a year ago. Given the current economic downturn, and the Sabres absence from the postseason, that’s an amazing rate of renewall. Despite all the gloom and doom on the airwaves and in the paper, and despite the team’s failure on the ice, Western New York’s love affair with the Sabres and the NHL seems very strong.
The same came be said for the Bills. How many times have you heard talk show hosts or read newspaper columns that talk about the Bills being irrelevant? There’s no doubt they have failed consistently to challenge for an NFL title throughout this decade. But Buffalo sports fans love the NFL and the Bills. And they vote with their feet, electing to renew season tickets and plunk down hard earned money to do so. Bills sources tell me they’ve already sold 50,000 season tickets for the 2009 campaign, and they’re actually trending higher than last year’s season ticket total of close to 56,000. That’s an amazing stat, given the team’s collapse at the end of last season, and the doubts about Head Coach Dick Jauron.
Give the fans credit. They love the Bills and the Sabres. They value the entertainment that big league sports bring to their lives. And in the face of a serious economic downturn, they’re willing to invest in both teams despite failures on the ice and on the field.
Or are fans just fearful if they don’t buy tickets both teams will just get up and leave? Or maybe fans are just stupid?
Nothing like being held hostage by millionaires and billionaires…..
“Or maybe fans are just stupid?” Speak for yourself.
Or maybe it is called devotion and love for a sport? At least Buffalo (and surrounding cities) have respect and uber support for their teams. No matter the outcome. They still appreciate all they do for their communities and what they try to accomplish in the game. Get a life.
OK, so everyone is fine with the Bills not making the playoffs in 7+ years?? You are all fine with 3 7-9 seasons in a row with the team looking no better than that again this coming year???? You are all fine with the regime of Tom Golisano, Larry Quinn, Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff delivering uninspiring hockey??? WOW!!!
Call it what you want but you are all really just validating mediocrity and the status quo — come to think of it, it’s what Buffalo does best.
I agree with the Dude, except more respectfully.
The sabres it wouldn’t matter, because there is a huge waiting list. but the bills? what is so great about them that it is worth freezing yourself for 8(i mean 7) games?
ah well, it is fun to go to games, but supporting bad teams who have no intention of trying to improve is not something i like to do. I’ll watch from home and change the channel when i can’t stand it any longer
People who wont buy tickets because of how our team has performed in the past several seasons is nothing but bandwagon in my book. If everyone acted this way, we woudnt have anyone buying tickets whatsoever and the teams would be gone by now. You should be thankful for these people who still stick around year after year and go to the games, rather then question them as to why they are still supporting this team. They are still here beause of these fans, including myself. First time season ticket holder this year… because i love the game… i’m not going to whine and moan because of the outcome of the past seven seasons. It wasnt planned, and who knows maybe we;ll make the playoff for the next 7 years.
No, no the fans have proven themselves to be stupid… and gullible while the owners laugh all the way to the bank. Why do I say that you ask? Well, the Bills brass disrespects the fans by moving home games to Toronto while bringing in a scumb bag like TO as a marketing ploy to sell tickets and make them more money. And what does Buffalo do in return? Greet Owens like a hero and the Mayor gives him a key to the city! Way to go Buffalo sports fans! Keep supporting your local felons.. er, I mean sports stars. Suckers… how embarrassing. Oh and by the way, both teams still suck!
JUST LIKE YESTERDAY, I LEFT A NOTE FOR CHANNEL 2, THIS T.O. THING IS HORENDUS! WHAT ABOUT ALL THE OTHER PROFESSIONAL ATHELETES THAT COME TO BUFFALO!?? THIS IS LIKE A CIRCUS AND A “SLAP IN THE FACE” TO THEM!!!I THINK IT NEEDS TO STOP. THE HIPE IS GIVING OUR KIDS A WRONG LOOK AT REAL LIFE. IT SEEMS IT IS OK TO BE OBNOXIOUS AND GET BAD PUBLICITY AND IT IS PERFECTLY ALRIGHT! OH,BOY, YOU GET THE KEYS TO THE CITY! PLS STOP!MY 8 CO-WORKERS AGREE!THX
Thank you Carol, and it does prove that it is not only ok to be an obnoxious, selfish, cry baby but you will be rewarded and treated like a king. Yeah, run Det Delano out of a job but give TO the key to the city. Great job local officials. This is a pathetic and has made our city look desperate and minor league as well as the butt of many jokes on national sports news shows. Hey Ralph! Michael Vick is now free from prison any way we can sign him and maybe the Mayor can make him an honorary sheriff??
I personally enjoy waking up at 8am to party with 80K Buffalonians on a Sunday morning. For me it’s more about the people than the game itself.