This is why the Buffalo Bills need to leave Erie County!

[FedupWNY]

Originally Posted by giffman

Well........he doesn't need naming rights revenue because the County is paying him that huge subsidy.

I believe it was Benjamin Franklin that said "in a democracy, people get the government they deserve". Think about it folks. Nothing will ever change if you keep buying into the status quo.

Well said, giffman!

[Lastj23]

How much more are you going to complain about the Bills? There are a lot more troubling issues with this area than the Bills. Besides they are probably going to move in a few years, so you will finally get your wish.

[mikesuicide]

I will continue complaining until they stop getting a hand out

[FedupWNY]

Originally Posted by mikesuicide

I will continue complaining until they stop getting a hand out

Me too!

[ENUF-IZZ-ENUF]

Originally Posted by FedupWNY

Me too!

X3...

The Buffalo Bills Organization is in fact a multi-million dollar per year for profit organization, thus, should not be allowed to extort tax money from Erie County via resident's tax dollars for their own support under the threat of leaving.
They talk about the AIG bonuses??? Huh! This Bills organization pays themselves, as well as their players, millions per year, and THEN they ask for tax dollars from the already overburdened Western new York people...and we stand for that, because some say they like to watch football??? WOW!
This, my friends, is indeed an elaborate combination of extortion, bribery, and blackmail, all rolled into a neat little package that residents here have no control over, and would be illegal under any other circumstances.
Also, I do not agree that 80% of residents are "fans", although, most "fans" would like to think so, as any genre of fanatics rely on their strength in numbers.

[loveautumn]

well, I certainly agree that having an NFL team (in any city) puts it on the map in a way nothing else can. With the Bills, Western NY would shrivel up and die even faster. If you live in Buffalo area, you need to fight like heck to keep the Bills right where they are. Seriously, what else have you got going that gives you that kind of exposure and city pride (even if you're not a football fan). Seriously, do they still sell Flutie flakes there...that is sad.

I live in SD and we are close to losing the Chargers too, over the building of a new stadium. Without the Chargers, SD would not have the same status and appeal either, even with our perfect weather. And we have winning teams and a great fan base...think how frustrated we feel that the owners and the city can't come to any agreement.

[FedupWNY]

Originally Posted by ENUF-IZZ-ENUF

X3...

The Buffalo Bills Organization is in fact a multi-million dollar per year for profit organization, thus, should not be allowed to extort tax money from Erie County via resident's tax dollars for their own support under the threat of leaving.
They talk about the AIG bonuses??? Huh! This Bills organization pays themselves, as well as their players, millions per year, and THEN they ask for tax dollars from the already overburdened Western new York people...and we stand for that, because some say they like to watch football??? WOW!
This, my friends, is indeed an elaborate combination of extortion, bribery, and blackmail, all rolled into a neat little package that residents here have no control over, and would be illegal under any other circumstances.
Also, I do not agree that 80% of residents are "fans", although, most "fans" would like to think so, as any genre of fanatics rely on their strength in numbers.

I couldn't agree more!

[mikesuicide]

Originally Posted by loveautumn

well, I certainly agree that having an NFL team (in any city) puts it on the map in a way nothing else can. With the Bills, Western NY would shrivel up and die even faster. If you live in Buffalo area, you need to fight like heck to keep the Bills right where they are. Seriously, what else have you got going that gives you that kind of exposure and city pride (even if you're not a football fan). Seriously, do they still sell Flutie flakes there...that is sad.

I live in SD and we are close to losing the Chargers too, over the building of a new stadium. Without the Chargers, SD would not have the same status and appeal either, even with our perfect weather. And we have winning teams and a great fan base...think how frustrated we feel that the owners and the city can't come to any agreement.

Sometimes notoriety isn't always a good thing. It really depends on what gives you civic pride. The Bills don't do it for me for free, let alone paying a hand out so spoiled athletes with no regard for the law can be over payed. Go Bills...and take the Sabres with you.

[Checkered24]

I am not a big fan of subsidizing the Bills with public money. On the other hand, I am a big fan and a long time season ticket holder. So my opinion is biased.

That said, there is a positive economic impact that the Bills provide which is not as easy to quantify as the public money spent on the team. For example, you have a large number of players who buy expensive homes and pay high property taxes locally, they spend money locally adding to sales tax collection, as well as supporting local establishments. You have visiting teams coming in, staying in local hotels and paying hospitality taxes, and eating at local restaurants. Plus media, broadcasters, out of town and out of country fans spending money locally.

Since data is difficult to find, I cannot say whether the economic impact justifies the expenditure. However, the expenditure is generating some tax and business revenue, and as such it is not a total loss. I would see this as more of a benefit that some of the government incentives given locally to businesses to move from one community to another (perfect example, Erie county gave a tax incentive to Tops to move from North Tonawanda to the City of Tonawanda a number of years ago).

[Buffalonian4life]

Originally Posted by Checkered24

I am not a big fan of subsidizing the Bills with public money. On the other hand, I am a big fan and a long time season ticket holder. So my opinion is biased.

That said, there is a positive economic impact that the Bills provide which is not as easy to quantify as the public money spent on the team. For example, you have a large number of players who buy expensive homes and pay high property taxes locally, they spend money locally adding to sales tax collection, as well as supporting local establishments. You have visiting teams coming in, staying in local hotels and paying hospitality taxes, and eating at local restaurants. Plus media, broadcasters, out of town and out of country fans spending money locally.

Since data is difficult to find, I cannot say whether the economic impact justifies the expenditure. However, the expenditure is generating some tax and business revenue, and as such it is not a total loss. I would see this as more of a benefit that some of the government incentives given locally to businesses to move from one community to another (perfect example, Erie county gave a tax incentive to Tops to move from North Tonawanda to the City of Tonawanda a number of years ago).

Well said - really, what would Buffalo be without the Bills!?