'They are a business that gives the Buffalo Niagara region an international presence and prestige, regardless of the team's win-loss record. Without the Sabres, the six-year-old, $127 million HSBC Arena becomes a very expensive white elephant in downtown Buffalo. For those reasons, many feel it is not unreasonable for Hamister and Berman to expect some form of public sector help in their effort to purchase the financially beleaguered team.'