Future of Bills series

Today marks the third and final installment of our series on the story that is not going away – the future of the Bills in Buffalo. 

Of course, it is tenuous, given the fact the franchise is scheduled to eventually go out on the open market. It’s a subject that arouses all the passion in Bills Nation.

It would be good if our elected officials marshaled that same kind of passion over the fact our children keep leaving New York State.

But enough words from us. After three days of lengthy stories, feel free to weigh in with your own views.

---Mark Gaughan

Comments

[Jim]

The CFL once expanded into the U.S. market. It can be considered a better product, 110 yard fields and rouges and all. Doug Flutie made his mark at Calgary. But, American style from Pop Warner up has too much tradition.

[Dayle]

As a CFL fan, I'm just wondering -- do the Bills intend on destroying the Argonauts and Tiger-Cats and bringing down the CFL with it? Yes, the CFL is losing some fans thanks to aging stadia and the rampant overexposure of the "neigbours to the South" on cable TV and satellite radio, but the CFL is a faster, more exciting game. I mean, four downs to go ten yards instead of three?

[Dalai]

I agree with Gerardo. I live in Nepal high up in the Himalayas and I fully intend to make the trip for the Bills-Dolphins game this year. Squish the fish!!!

[Gerardo]

I totally disagree with the comments of the "voice of the reason" that "Nobody really cares about Buffalo". I have been in San Diego for a Bills game and there were a lot of Buffalo´s fans around in spite of the distance as well as the matchup at San Antonio against New Orleans. I´ll be there in Buffalo this season to see a game to continue the supporting tradition to my beloved Bills eventhought the trip from Monterrey (Mexico) to Buffalo is quite expensive but I am not the only one who do that cause a lot of mexican people goes to Orchard Park to support our team. Buffalo Bills is in the top ten most beloved NFL teams in Mexico. We care about Buffalo Bills, we care about Buffalo, New York but instead of speak or talk negative things, let´s do positive actions for keeping our team in Buffalo and look for a championship. LET´S GO BUFFALO!

[David, Amherst]

The series articles focused highly on market value and markets. But they missed an area, or were very sketchy, on two important areas.
First, I've previously read that any new owner has the advantage of tax writeoffs of player contracts (say in the first five years of new ownership) that longer-term owners can no longer do. That needs elucidation if its so.
Second, the subprime fiasco highlights a problem for the owners, and Roger Goodell, i.e. only allowing qualified owners who perhaps neither need, or can handle, any debt load from borrowing to purchase a franchise. The brief description of Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf's financial qualifications should tell lawmakers like Senator Schumer that they, like real estate flippers, jack up prices of franchises on shaky grounds, and can "run down" values of moderately valued franchises. Those owner financial requirements must be stated and known.
The entire tax base of revenues for franchises and tax treatment for owners needs a Special Investigator.
I don't think this is all on the up and up.

[Chuck Nellis]

An excellent series of articles. Hopefully every Bills fan has read it. I don’t think the average football fan understands the complexity’s of today’s NFL. Sadly, the Bills fan like me, that has attended games faithfully for over 26 years, is of little concern to the new breed of NFL owners. Ralph Wilson should be commended for hanging tough. I’m an optimist, so hopefully when the time comes this story will have a Cinderella ending.

Chuck Nellis
Chippewa, Pa

[Scott]

I live in Chicago, IL and consider myself part of Bills Nation. When the Bills play a Solider Field the place as Bills Fans all around. I have been to a Colts game to see the Bills and I got the same impression. Thousands of Bills Fans. People may leave Buffalo because of the inept politicians who only care about themselves and the ridiculous taxes. But from what I see their heart remains with the Buffalo Sports scene. As much as I hate to say it, some Bills game in Toronto is probablly a good thing. The Green Bay Packers played two regular season games a year in Milwaukee for about 10 years then went back to all the games in Green Bay. Maybe the same scenario can happen in Buffalo. Enhance the water front, get rid of the SkyWay, build a peace bridge, and the winter weather won't manage. I have many a fond memories of snow and fun in Western NY.

GO BILLS and please stay in Buffalo.

[Voice of Reason]

I think 'Bills Nation' is a stretch, and we should all stop using that silly catch phrase starting now. 'Nation' implies that people outside of Buffalo care about us OR the Bills....neither is very true at all. Nobody really cares about our dumpy town.

Since the beginning of time,the Red Sox fans have referred to themselves as Red Sox Nation. That makes a much more sense to say. They have fans all over the place! I went to a Red Sox game in Kansas City (of all places), and half the stadium was Sox fans....

So, people, please.....no more Bills Nation references, ok?

[DC happy tan]

Elected officials can't prevent 6 months of winter