Balsillie Contacts Golisano

[tom webster]

Yep. He's been pretty clear that he wants to be the guy that brings an NHL team to his hometown. That what he says the next time he tries to buy a team probably won't promote that intent won't change the fact that his goal is to be the owner of the Kitchener [insert name here] of the NHL.

I'm not so sure that they are getting a "big chunk of money" from revenue sharing. I've read a lot of posts here stating that the Sabres are a mid-revenue team. The revenue sharing $'s are allocated in large part based on how poor a team's revenues were; if the Sabres were in the top 1/2 of the league they won't get anything and teams 16-20 don't get very much.

 

Especially if the article's quote of the Sabres getting $9MM from MSG is correct, then the Sabres' revenue sharing $'s are almost certainly less than that; my GUESS would be that they're getting $3MM or less in revenue sharing.

 

I will provide a link when I get home, but I know they got over $10 million the first year. You have to remember, the revenue sharing fromula is very complicated and does involve attendance requirements. That is a little talked about fact, that by being prices down and seats filled, TG and LQ have taken advantage of a loop hole in the formula which is why they get some heat for their pricing structure.

[tom webster]

If recent NBA events have taught us anything, it's that you can't believe the potential owners' public proclamations to keep a team where it is and not move the franchise. One would hope that the NHL would block any potential move from an established hockey market, but if not moving the team isn't in writing then I would be very leery of any owner outside the area purchasing the team.

 

 

Every clause can be broken but if I remember correctly, part of the deal the state and city made in approving their part of the bankruptcy agreement when TG bought the team was a no-movement clause which would trigger significant damage amounts if broken.

[tom webster]

Larry Quinn posts a response on Sabres web site that team will not be relocated. Just another hint that the team is indeed for sale.

[Taro T]

[/b]

 

I will provide a link when I get home, but I know they got over $10 million the first year. You have to remember, the revenue sharing fromula is very complicated and does involve attendance requirements. That is a little talked about fact, that by being prices down and seats filled, TG and LQ have taken advantage of a loop hole in the formula which is why they get some heat for their pricing structure.

I'd be very interested in seeing that link. My understanding was that they got just over $7MM in the 1st year. I have not seen an estimate of what they got after '06-'07 either, so I'd be interested in seeing that one as well if you have it.

 

The revenue sharing doesn't only include attendence requirements, teams also have to have their individual annual revenue growth rate be at or greater than the league-wide revenue growth rate or penalties are kicked in. For the foreseeable future, I don't expect the Sabres to have issues with the attendence threshold (14k/game next year). The revenue growth rate is where they may need to be a little more clever.

[tom webster]

I'd be very interested in seeing that link. My understanding was that they got just over $7MM in the 1st year. I have not seen an estimate of what they got after '06-'07 either, so I'd be interested in seeing that one as well if you have it.

 

The revenue sharing doesn't only include attendence requirements, teams also have to have their individual annual revenue growth rate be at or greater than the league-wide revenue growth rate or penalties are kicked in. For the foreseeable future, I don't expect the Sabres to have issues with the attendence threshold (14k/game next year). The revenue growth rate is where they may need to be a little more clever.

 

If you google nhl revenue sharing, you find a lot of different articles on the subject and you may have to do some deductive reasoning. Without having access right now, I know $90 million was doled out to 11 teams the first year with Nashville getting the most (11) and Buffalo was either three or four at justiunder $10 million. Last year the number was over $100 million with Nashville getting something like $13 million. For some reason, Nashville's numbers are public knowledge.

[Kristian]

Larry Quinn posts a response on Sabres web site that team will not be relocated. Just another hint that the team is indeed for sale.

 

Hmm... Not sure if I'm happy about this or not, but given Golisano's number of appearances at the HSBC this season, I wouldn't surprised if it were true.

 

I do know this however, I'll be thrilled when Larry the Moron gets booted out of Buffalo once again.

[frisky]

For one thing, I remember that TG said in one of the mid-season interview things that if someone were going to pay him then they could have the team. So, I'm not surprised. I think if the price is right, he'd sell. That Balsillie guy I don't trsut one bit. He'll move a team if can as soon as he can. However, there's other teams perhaps that are now more on his radar than the Sabres. On the radio, they're stirring the pot about TG dumping the Sabres and buying the Bills. Hmm...I do agree with one of the people that called in that I can't see anyone in the area putting an ownership group together to buy the Sabres unless things have turned around and there's suddenly a well-spring of rich folks. Remember the last time with Hamister and that mess before TG bought it? I wouldn't want to go through that again.

[GoatheadInCT]

For one thing, I remember that TG said in one of the mid-season interview things that if someone were going to pay him then they could have the team. So, I'm not surprised. I think if the price is right, he'd sell. That Balsillie guy I don't trsut one bit. He'll move a team if can as soon as he can.

 

It doesn't matter if he trusts him or not- even if he tried to sell the team to him, the transaction would be defeated, the same as his failed bid in Nashville. I don't understand why this is even a story!

[Kristian]

For one thing, I remember that TG said in one of the mid-season interview things that if someone were going to pay him then they could have the team. So, I'm not surprised. I think if the price is right, he'd sell. That Balsillie guy I don't trsut one bit. He'll move a team if can as soon as he can. However, there's other teams perhaps that are now more on his radar than the Sabres. On the radio, they're stirring the pot about TG dumping the Sabres and buying the Bills. Hmm...I do agree with one of the people that called in that I can't see anyone in the area putting an ownership group together to buy the Sabres unless things have turned around and there's suddenly a well-spring of rich folks. Remember the last time with Hamister and that mess before TG bought it? I wouldn't want to go through that again.

 

Yeah, good old Scamister.

 

Wonder what happened to him? Oh well, as long as he doesn't try to buy the team again.

[Bmwolf21]

Yeah, good old Scamister.

 

Wonder what happened to him? Oh well, as long as he doesn't try to buy the team again.

Mark took his Arena Football team and went home. He sure showed us...

[PromoTheRobot]

So now the truth comes out! Now we know what TG was up to. Scuttle the team, see attendance drop, cry poor that Buffalo doesn't support the team anymore, then cash out big time selling to Basille! Almost note-for-note like the Buffalo Braves saga. What a douchebag Golisano is! (Apologies to Ink, X. and company who are busy spinning this like it's great news.)

 

The NHL would br crazy to let the Sabres leave town. Buffalo is solely responsible for about 30% of the NHL's US ratings! But when has the NHL ever done anything smart? We're DOOOOOMED!

 

PTR

[X. Benedict]

So now the truth comes out! Now we know what TG was up to. Scuttle the team, see attendance drop, cry poor that Buffalo doesn't support the team anymore, then cash out big time selling to Basille! Almost note-for-note like the Buffalo Braves saga. What a douchebag Golisano is! (Apologies to Ink, X. and company who are busy spinning this like it's great news.)

 

PTR

 

I know you can write, but can you read? What are those weevils living in your head doing?

 

I am pretty neutral on this whole story. Because a guy picks up a phone to talk to a fellow billionaire, I should think what?

 

All I really think about all this is that if a Billionaire were to call me, the courteous thing to do would be to say hello and answer his questions. No need to piss the guy off. He will have a second NHL team in Ontario someday.

[nfreeman]

So now the truth comes out! Now we know what TG was up to. Scuttle the team, see attendance drop, cry poor that Buffalo doesn't support the team anymore, then cash out big time selling to Basille! Almost note-for-note like the Buffalo Braves saga. What a douchebag Golisano is! (Apologies to Ink, X. and company who are busy spinning this like it's great news.)

 

The NHL would br crazy to let the Sabres leave town. Buffalo is solely responsible for about 30% of the NHL's US ratings! But when has the NHL ever done anything smart? We're DOOOOOMED!

 

PTR

 

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I can't tell whether this is sarcasm or hysteria. If the latter -- this is crazy.

 

I know you can write, but can you read? What are those weevils living in your head doing?

 

I am pretty neutral on this whole story. Because a guy picks up a phone to talk to a fellow billionaire, I should think what?

 

All I really think about all this is that if a Billionaire were to call me, the courteous thing to do would be to say hello and answer his questions. No need to piss the guy off. He will have a second NHL team in Ontario someday.

 

You may be right, but I do think the Leafs are quite powerful and implacably opposed to the idea. This will be the reason why it doesn't happen, which is good for the Sabres.

[shrader]

I got a recorded phone call the other day telling me the factory warranty on my car has expired. I'm doomed! DOOMED! Sure, I don't even own a car, but it was a phone call, so it must be true. I also get a lot of recorded messages telling warning me about my credit payments. The writing's on the wall and I'll be declaring bankruptcy soon. If only Promo had warned me sooner.

[SDS]

So now the truth comes out! Now we know what TG was up to. Scuttle the team, see attendance drop, cry poor that Buffalo doesn't support the team anymore, then cash out big time selling to Basille! Almost note-for-note like the Buffalo Braves saga. What a douchebag Golisano is! (Apologies to Ink, X. and company who are busy spinning this like it's great news.)

 

The NHL would br crazy to let the Sabres leave town. Buffalo is solely responsible for about 30% of the NHL's US ratings! But when has the NHL ever done anything smart? We're DOOOOOMED!

 

PTR

 

of all the retarded things you post, how do you manage to top yourself again and again?

 

So, you finally figured it out... TG used his Jedi-mind powers to force the dim-witted boy from Canada to call HIM. Pure genius PTR. Pure genius. :rolleyes:

 

Remember readers: answering your phone makes you a douchebag, so better just let it ring.

[Two or less]

Larry Quinn posts a response on Sabres web site that team will not be relocated. Just another hint that the team is indeed for sale.

 

That's not the way i read it. Hockey is a buisness and they get multiple offers per year i'd imagine and like any buisness, you gotta look at the offer before saying now. But, in this instance, once relocation is mentioned, Sabres say NO. Doesn't mean Golisano is selling the team though.

[SabresFan526]

I don't know what the fuss is about. I don't see this is a big deal at all. Balsillie has been desperately trying to become an owner of an NHL franchise. He's been thwarted twice because the NHL will not let him move a team to Hamilton/Kitchener/Waterloo. So, he figures call up TG and see what happens. TG won't sell the team if Balsillie's intent on moving the team, and the NHL won't let it happen, so it's moot. Geographically for Balsillie, Buffalo is the closest he can get without moving a team into Hamilton/Kitchener/Waterloo. Personally, I would not have a problem with it if he came in as a minority owner or bought the team and maybe the Sabres played a few home games a year in Hamilton. I think his passion for the sport shows that he will do whatever it takes to have a winning franchise. I think he'd be a great owner of an NHL team. As long as the Sabres don't move out of Buffalo, I wouldn't have a problem with him owning the team, but none of these scenarios are likely to play out, so let's just move forward. There is no doom and gloom. I read nothing from this, myself.

[LabattBlue]

I do know this however, I'll be thrilled when Larry the Moron gets booted out of Buffalo once again.

We are on the same page. Obviously no one here knows(at least I don't believe so) what Golisano's intentions are in terms of how long he will own the franchise, but if he can find a prospective owner committed to keeping the Sabres in Buffalo who is determined to win a Cup and is in favor of booting Quinny to the curb, I am all in favor of it.

[Bmwolf21]

I got a recorded phone call the other day telling me the factory warranty on my car has expired. I'm doomed! DOOMED! Sure, I don't even own a car, but it was a phone call, so it must be true. I also get a lot of recorded messages telling warning me about my credit payments. The writing's on the wall and I'll be declaring bankruptcy soon. If only Promo had warned me sooner.

You get those too? Whew - I thought I was the only one and I thought I was really in trouble.

[Stoner]

I've been saying for awhile Golisano would sell the team eventually. It's a no-brainer. He's a great businessman, everyone says. He's not known as the Great Ranch Dressing Packet Thief for nothin'.

 

Anyway, I went to sleep after the Ice Bowl and didn't awake until just now. Beautiful day stirred me. I have my playoff beard, but why isn't anyone talking about the playoffs? Don't tell me the Sabres went from Presidents' Trophy-winners to missing the postseason...

[X. Benedict]

I've been saying for awhile Golisano would sell the team eventually. It's a no-brainer. He's a great businessman, everyone says. He's not known as the Great Ranch Dressing Packet Thief for nothin'.

 

Anyway, I went to sleep after the Ice Bowl and didn't awake until just now. Beautiful day stirred me. I have my playoff beard, but why isn't anyone talking about the playoffs? Don't tell me the Sabres went from Presidents' Trophy-winners to missing the postseason...

 

I really think if he sells the team it will be to buy the Bills.

 

And the stealing the Ranch? <shudder>....I thought it was just the artificial sweeteners.

 

 

 

 

Good to see you. :)

[nfreeman]

I've been saying for awhile Golisano would sell the team eventually. It's a no-brainer. He's a great businessman, everyone says. He's not known as the Great Ranch Dressing Packet Thief for nothin'.

 

Anyway, I went to sleep after the Ice Bowl and didn't awake until just now. Beautiful day stirred me. I have my playoff beard, but why isn't anyone talking about the playoffs? Don't tell me the Sabres went from Presidents' Trophy-winners to missing the postseason...

[/]

 

Good. I was thinking of starting an APB/missing crabby posters thread.

[nfreeman]

I don't know what the fuss is about. I don't see this is a big deal at all. Balsillie has been desperately trying to become an owner of an NHL franchise. He's been thwarted twice because the NHL will not let him move a team to Hamilton/Kitchener/Waterloo. So, he figures call up TG and see what happens. TG won't sell the team if Balsillie's intent on moving the team, and the NHL won't let it happen, so it's moot. Geographically for Balsillie, Buffalo is the closest he can get without moving a team into Hamilton/Kitchener/Waterloo. Personally, I would not have a problem with it if he came in as a minority owner or bought the team and maybe the Sabres played a few home games a year in Hamilton. I think his passion for the sport shows that he will do whatever it takes to have a winning franchise. I think he'd be a great owner of an NHL team. As long as the Sabres don't move out of Buffalo, I wouldn't have a problem with him owning the team, but none of these scenarios are likely to play out, so let's just move forward. There is no doom and gloom. I read nothing from this, myself.

 

The problem with this theory is that Balsillie is never gonna stop trying to get a team in Kitchener/Waterloo. Why should he? He could get an arena built, sell it out, and go to every game by driving 10 minutes -- much better than a 60-minute helicopter ride in the dead of winter. I agree that it now looks like the Leafs/NHL won't allow this to happen, but who knows what the story will be in 5-10 years? That's why I don't want him anywhere near an ownership position in the Sabres.

 

I really think if he sells the team it will be to buy the Bills.

 

And the stealing the Ranch? <shudder>....I thought it was just the artificial sweeteners.

Good to see you. :)

 

Interesting. I don't think there is a prohibition on cross-ownership between the NFL and the NHL, but am I mistaken? Or do you think it would be a financial decision?

[SDS]

I've been saying for awhile Golisano would sell the team eventually. It's a no-brainer. He's a great businessman, everyone says. He's not known as the Great Ranch Dressing Packet Thief for nothin'.

 

Anyway, I went to sleep after the Ice Bowl and didn't awake until just now. Beautiful day stirred me. I have my playoff beard, but why isn't anyone talking about the playoffs? Don't tell me the Sabres went from Presidents' Trophy-winners to missing the postseason...

 

 

:beer: :beer: :beer:

 

hip-hip-HOORAY!!!

 

:wub:

[X. Benedict]

The problem with this theory is that Balsillie is never gonna stop trying to get a team in Kitchener/Waterloo. Why should he? He could get an arena built, sell it out, and go to every game by driving 10 minutes -- much better than a 60-minute helicopter ride in the dead of winter. I agree that it now looks like the Leafs/NHL won't allow this to happen, but who knows what the story will be in 5-10 years? That's why I don't want him anywhere near an ownership position in the Sabres.

Interesting. I don't think there is a prohibition on cross-ownership between the NFL and the NHL, but am I mistaken? Or do you think it would be a financial decision?

The NFL owners approve any new ownership. And cross ownership between leagues has long been discouraged. The idea being they are in competition for the sports market and TV contracts and the like.