WWTPD

[Syncerus Caffer]

First time poster, long time troller. Assuming that the TPegula era will begin sometime mid-season, what are some of the more immediate items that realistically can and should be addressed during his first 50 days? And so as not to overlap with the other posts, I am NOT talking about personnel moves such as GM, Coach, LQ or Player transactions. Some areas that could probably be improved immediately are: Game Telecasts (more cameras, pre game show, more player access or "mic'd up" players, tape a player/coach's show, etc), Game Entertainment (what can be done to make HSBC the loudest arena in the league from start to finish? bag the 80s song selection, intermission), Fan Appreciation Nite (shirts off back), apply for All Star Game (ok, that last one woudl not be an immediate action item, but Buffalo has proven with Winter Classic and WJC that it is a big hockey event town)

[PromoTheRobot]

Here's something I would do if I were TP: I'd resurrect the old Empire Sports Network. The Sabres deserve their own dedicated channel rather than being an afterthought to MSG. And I'd take it a step further: I'd by a TV station like ch.23 or ch.49 and put it on there. Why? Because then Sabre games could be seen on TV in Ontario. Between the Sabres, Bandits, college and high school sports, plus Bills coverage you could fill an entire channel with local sports.

 

And I would buy a radio signal like 550 or 1520 and put my sports channel on there as well. This would be a huge investment for mere mortals but TP likely earns over $100MM/yr. in interest alone on his $3B fortune. He could pull this off with just what he finds in his couch cushions.

 

PTR

[bunomatic]

I would start with bringing back the traditional scouting department and or have a combination of what exists now and what existed before. Since salary caps only cover players salaries and not stuff like scouting and player development and fitness facilities for players etc I would sink tons of money into all of those intangibles that players look for in a franchise when deciding who to play for. Spend some money and try to make Buffalo a destination where players want to play.

[Stoner]

Welcome. Good first post. And great subject line.

[Calvin]

I like this thread, good place to post non-personnel related issues

[sabre4life]

I would start with bringing back the traditional scouting department and or have a combination of what exists now and what existed before. Since salary caps only cover players salaries and not stuff like scouting and player development and fitness facilities for players etc I would sink tons of money into all of those intangibles that players look for in a franchise when deciding who to play for. Spend some money and try to make Buffalo a destination where players want to play.

 

Bingo... Start with the supporting cast for the team and players.

 

I do think he'll need to raise and get rid of that tiered ticket pricing... The price of tickets were fine before that. Make a committment, tell us fans we'll need to be patient for him to build a winning team, but that he needs our support in sales to do so. And for the love of all things created put an end to "CHANGING JERSEY's" just pick one and stick with it.

[LabattBlue]

Especially if the season continues as is(where they would miss the playoffs), some sort of fan appreciation events over the last few homes games, may go a long way in terms of season ticket renewals for the 11-12 season.

 

I can't see a lot of the OP's other suggestions being considered until the offseason.

 

A few of my non-personnel suggestions for the off-season...

 

1. I know it means less revenue, but the tiered pricing on the high end has to be reduced in an effort to fill the building with more Sabres fans. The number of Canadians and Leaf fans are embarrassing and the obvious money grab by Quinn should at least be attempted to be corrected. I'm not saying I don't want them at the games, just don't price the seats where they are the only ones crazy enough to but them. As a STH, I would even accept a modest increase in my costs to offset this.

 

2. Stop trying to jam concessions/gift shops into every last nook and cranny. Where I sit in the 300's, the concourse open spaces get reduced more ever year with another beer/food/souvenir stand. God forbid I just want to go out in the concourse between periods to stretch my legs.

 

3. Throw that aerospace museum out(located on the Main St. side of the arena) and put in a first class Sabres HoF that is included with your ticket price. Whether it goes there or somewhere else in the arena, it should have access from inside the turnstiles. That display they have by the Sabres store and at the top of the escalators is embarrassing. They should also have arena tours. They cost very little to conduct and are very interesting if done well and a lot of behind the scenes looks(press box, locker room, training areas, etc...) are included.

 

4. The Sabres need a top to bottom PR makeover. The had the community by the balls and in one fell swoop on 7-1-07, destroyed all the goodwill they had built up over the prior 2 years. Having an owner who takes off to Florida to diddle a former tennis star and at the same time show little concern for the success of the team, combined with an arrogant jerkoff construction manager/minority owner,and a GM who is too loyal to the players he drafted, has led to apathy towards this team.

 

5. This one is more difficult to solve and goes back to the 80's, but a large majority of the people who attend the games are just not real enthusiastic. A lot of little kids, combined with large numbers of older folks who just don't want to get out of their seats, leads to the sterile environment that is seen at the majority of games, Nothing in terms of the in-game presentations(including the music which so many bitch about) is going to change this. How to fix this? I don't know except to change the product on the ice(more exciting) and over time hope your customer base evolves.

 

6. Reach out to STH's and get their thoughts. Did anyone down there every consider that customer feedback(good or bad) is a way to measure customer satisfaction?

 

7. In point #5, I mentioned that changing the in-game presentations will not make for a louder atmosphere, but these are things I would consider in terms of this. I know almost every arena tends to go this way, but get rid of obnoxious PA announcer guy. Have more giveaways/promotions. How about everyone in a row gets a $10 coupon to the Sabre store, $5 food concession giveaway for an entire section, have the games with throwback concession pricing, if the Sabres win a game you are at, get a discount on tickets to a future game, etc... the sky is the limit. I'd also suggest to the Sabres Alumni to change their raffles to have multiple winners(3 winners split the 50% of the take...1st gets 60%, 2nd gets 30%, 3rd gets 10%). I'm in the minority, but the kiss cam, bloopers videos and music played is fine. The majority of people don't want to hear some obscure music that would appeal to 1% of the crowd.

 

8. Do something about the smoking policy. If you go down by the Sabres store between periods, it is engulfed in smoke because the people are right outside the doors, and because the doors are constantly opened and closed, it is like they are smoking inside. Maybe go back to using the terrace outside of where Sabretooth's house used to be, but use a revolving door or something else that would minimize the smoke allowed back into the arena.

 

9. Bring back Hockey Hotline or some form of an extended post game show where they take some calls.

 

10. In the next few years find a way to get affiliated with Rochester again(assuming Donner is out of the picture). What better way to grow your fanbase then to have the Sabres of tommorrow playing 60 miles to the east of Buffalo. Also in terms of growing the fanbase, are the Sabres games still not shown in Southern Ontario? If not, they need to find a way to correct this.

 

I'm done. :)

[Syncerus Caffer]

A tremendous amount of time and thought went into these replies. You can't put a price on thoughtful and passionate fans like this(or maybe someone did put a price on it...) I am a big fan of shirts off back night, players delivering season tickets to select fans, visits to hospitals and anything else that shows what genuinely good guys hockey players are. I also agree that the Sabres in the TP era will have a wonderful opportunity to be best in class on how well they treat players. For instance, and not to take a position on video scouting/teaching, but if video scouting/instruction does serve a valuable purpose, why not give the players iPads that they can use to download the videos. I am sure that will reverberate around the players' association. I recall that Mark Cuban's first "big" act as owner was to give the players top quality shower towels instead of the paper-thin ones the team previously used. Little things mean a lot.

[X. Benedict]

A tremendous amount of time and thought went into these replies. You can't put a price on thoughtful and passionate fans like this(or maybe someone did put a price on it...) I am a big fan of shirts off back night, players delivering season tickets to select fans, visits to hospitals and anything else that shows what genuinely good guys hockey players are. I also agree that the Sabres in the TP era will have a wonderful opportunity to be best in class on how well they treat players. For instance, and not to take a position on video scouting/teaching, but if video scouting/instruction does serve a valuable purpose, why not give the players iPads that they can use to download the videos. I am sure that will reverberate around the players' association. I recall that Mark Cuban's first "big" act as owner was to give the players top quality shower towels instead of the paper-thin ones the team previously used. Little things mean a lot.

 

This team doesn't deserve fluffy towels. Sandpaper. They deserve sandpaper. :beer:

 

Welcome. ;)

[nfreeman]

Stop playing the same GD music that every other sports arena in the country plays. It is just so lame and generic. I don't want to hear "Crazy Train" ever again. And lifting "Sweet Caroline" from the Red Sox is nothing short of pathetic. I'm embarrassed when I hear it. Real franchises don't just copy other franchises' anthems. For starters, I want less music, and when there is music I want it to be either uniquely Buffalo (e.g. Sabredance) or other music that someone with some talent picked out that isn't just like everywhere else.

 

The All-Star Game and a Sabres HOF are 2 excellent ideas already posted. Is there a Sabres legends golf tournament? Or a Sabres legends hockey camp?

 

Also, I don't know how the Sabres' practice rink, weight training, locker room and other facilities compare to other teams', but I would urge bringing these to an elite level.

[sabre4life]

 

3. Throw that aerospace museum out(located on the Main St. side of the arena) and put in a first class Sabres HoF that is included with your ticket price. Whether it goes there or somewhere else in the arena, it should have access from inside the turnstiles. That display they have by the Sabres store and at the top of the escalators is embarrassing. They should also have arena tours. They cost very little to conduct and are very interesting if done well and a lot of behind the scenes looks(press box, locker room, training areas, etc...) are included.

 

I would so pay for this... it would also attract more attention downtown. One player selected each month (off Season) to help with tour... I would also go as far as putting in a Restaurant not catering to those which have wealth... Give me a damn sports bar/grille within the arena.

 

4. The Sabres need a top to bottom PR makeover. The had the community by the balls and in one fell swoop on 7-1-07, destroyed all the goodwill they had built up over the prior 2 years. Having an owner who takes off to Florida to diddle a former tennis star and at the same time show little concern for the success of the team, combined with an arrogant jerkoff construction manager/minority owner,and a GM who is too loyal to the players he drafted, has led to apathy towards this team.

 

So True... I totally agree.

 

7. In point #5, I mentioned that changing the in-game presentations will not make for a louder atmosphere, but these are things I would consider in terms of this. I know almost every arena tends to go this way, but get rid of obnoxious PA announcer guy. Have more giveaways/promotions. How about everyone in a row gets a $10 coupon to the Sabre store, $5 food concession giveaway for an entire section, have the games with throwback concession pricing, if the Sabres win a game you are at, get a discount on tickets to a future game, etc... the sky is the limit. I'd also suggest to the Sabres Alumni to change their raffles to have multiple winners(3 winners split the 50% of the take...1st gets 60%, 2nd gets 30%, 3rd gets 10%). I'm in the minority, but the kiss cam, bloopers videos and music played is fine. The majority of people don't want to hear some obscure music that would appeal to 1% of the crowd.

 

More fan interaction will go a long way in keeping your arena filled to the brim... I'd go as far creating or adding to the raffle drawings a game worn jersey for runners up.

 

8. Do something about the smoking policy. If you go down by the Sabres store between periods, it is engulfed in smoke because the people are right outside the doors, and because the doors are constantly opened and closed, it is like they are smoking inside. Maybe go back to using the terrace outside of where Sabretooth's house used to be, but use a revolving door or something else that would minimize the smoke allowed back into the arena.

 

I smoke no comment, but I could understand how it could irritate non smokers... move it to the other side by the ticket windows woulda been smarter.

 

9. Bring back Hockey Hotline or some form of an extended post game show where they take some calls.

 

Yes please, cause all i do now is turn the tube off right after, all in favor of brian blessing and Mike going at it again say yay!

 

10. In the next few years find a way to get affiliated with Rochester again(assuming Donner is out of the picture). What better way to grow your fanbase then to have the Sabres of tommorrow playing 60 miles to the east of Buffalo. Also in terms of growing the fanbase, are the Sabres games still not shown in Southern Ontario? If not, they need to find a way to correct this.

 

Don't care much for Rochester, but getting games broadcasted in S. Ontario would be crucial if they are not now.

 

 

 

Overall I like the post well thought out... If TP is going to be the owner we want him to be, start with a verbal commintment to the fanbase... publicly say you will do what you think is best to build a winner, but you'll need our help. He'll be amazed at what he'll find, because if there is one thing I know about this city... if you're honest with us, we'll back you up.

[AllPuckedOut]

I would love if the Sabres were not on MSG anymore, as a Dish Network customer I have not seen 1 MSG broadcast this season. Even when I was able to view MSG, it is clear that MSG treated the Sabres as added baggage, and not as an asset. This is on display during their weekend broadcast of "Hockey Night Live!", which the Sabres are excluded.

[PromoTheRobot]

The Sabres are not seen on TV in Canada because cable companies there won't carry MSG. The solution I proposed, buying an over-the-air Buffalo TV station that is already seen on cable in Canada, is likely the only way to do it. But realize the Leafs may insist those games be blacked out of their territory. Not sure if their territory includes Fort Erie and NF, ON.

 

PTR

[sabre4life]

The Sabres are not seen on TV in Canada because cable companies there won't carry MSG. The solution I proposed, buying an over-the-air Buffalo TV station that is already seen on cable in Canada, is likely the only way to do it. But realize the Leafs may insist those games be blacked out of their territory. Not sure if their territory includes Fort Erie and NF, ON.

 

PTR

 

It's 60 miles isn't? That's what the whole issue was with Bassile (spelling) putting a team in Hamilton seeing as though it would infringe on buffalo's market.

[Syncerus Caffer]

Inspiring W tonight vs. Boston + interesting posts inspired another idea (although I am not sure I can beat some of the other posts) -- Not sure if there are CBA or other restrictions, but virtually every NHL team conducts their preseason practices in morning/afternoon hours in Sept-Oct. Why not schedule some practices at HSBC after working hours or prime time for select weeknights in September and open up to fans?

[Stoner]

Inspiring W tonight vs. Boston + interesting posts inspired another idea (although I am not sure I can beat some of the other posts) -- Not sure if there are CBA or other restrictions, but virtually every NHL team conducts their preseason practices in morning/afternoon hours in Sept-Oct. Why not schedule some practices at HSBC after working hours or prime time for select weeknights in September and open up to fans?

 

Interesting. I've always wondered why practices are in the morning in the first place.

[Bmwolf21]

I like a lot of the ideas that have been proposed, and the best thing is they give the impression of a team moving in the right direction before making one personnel move.

 

I love the idea of the All-Star Game in Buffalo. Improved scouting department. And the feedback from STH's and moving the outdoor smoking section seem like no-brainers, IMO.

 

Is there a way to salvage the Rochester affiliation even with Donner there? Maybe TP can find some middle ground that the land developer couldn't. It does seem criminal that the Amerks are 60 miles away and we don't have an agreement with them.

[SwampD]

I only have one suggestion, do whatever it takes to tear down that God awful, motherf###in' Skyway and make the waterfront a place that people want to go to. Re-gentrify it with condos and cafes and bars and restaurants and ice cream shops... surround the arena with a place that people will go to even if there wasn't a game.

 

 

 

If not that, then at least build a wall to block the wind, cuz', damn, having HSBC Arena as the first windbreak in the 300 miles of Lake Erie is damn cold when it's the middle of February and it's 19 degrees out.

[LabattBlue]

Ted Black wants your suggestions...

 

http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/110723/13/Ted-Black-Wants-To-Hear-From-You

 

I am going to send my post in this thread to him.

[Taro T]

Especially if the season continues as is(where they would miss the playoffs), some sort of fan appreciation events over the last few homes games, may go a long way in terms of season ticket renewals for the 11-12 season.

 

I can't see a lot of the OP's other suggestions being considered until the offseason.

 

A few of my non-personnel suggestions for the off-season...

 

1. I know it means less revenue, but the tiered pricing on the high end has to be reduced in an effort to fill the building with more Sabres fans. The number of Canadians and Leaf fans are embarrassing and the obvious money grab by Quinn should at least be attempted to be corrected. I'm not saying I don't want them at the games, just don't price the seats where they are the only ones crazy enough to but them. As a STH, I would even accept a modest increase in my costs to offset this.

 

2. Stop trying to jam concessions/gift shops into every last nook and cranny. Where I sit in the 300's, the concourse open spaces get reduced more ever year with another beer/food/souvenir stand. God forbid I just want to go out in the concourse between periods to stretch my legs.

 

3. Throw that aerospace museum out(located on the Main St. side of the arena) and put in a first class Sabres HoF that is included with your ticket price. Whether it goes there or somewhere else in the arena, it should have access from inside the turnstiles. That display they have by the Sabres store and at the top of the escalators is embarrassing. They should also have arena tours. They cost very little to conduct and are very interesting if done well and a lot of behind the scenes looks(press box, locker room, training areas, etc...) are included.

 

4. The Sabres need a top to bottom PR makeover. The had the community by the balls and in one fell swoop on 7-1-07, destroyed all the goodwill they had built up over the prior 2 years. Having an owner who takes off to Florida to diddle a former tennis star and at the same time show little concern for the success of the team, combined with an arrogant jerkoff construction manager/minority owner,and a GM who is too loyal to the players he drafted, has led to apathy towards this team.

 

5. This one is more difficult to solve and goes back to the 80's, but a large majority of the people who attend the games are just not real enthusiastic. A lot of little kids, combined with large numbers of older folks who just don't want to get out of their seats, leads to the sterile environment that is seen at the majority of games, Nothing in terms of the in-game presentations(including the music which so many bitch about) is going to change this. How to fix this? I don't know except to change the product on the ice(more exciting) and over time hope your customer base evolves.

 

6. Reach out to STH's and get their thoughts. Did anyone down there every consider that customer feedback(good or bad) is a way to measure customer satisfaction?

 

7. In point #5, I mentioned that changing the in-game presentations will not make for a louder atmosphere, but these are things I would consider in terms of this. I know almost every arena tends to go this way, but get rid of obnoxious PA announcer guy. Have more giveaways/promotions. How about everyone in a row gets a $10 coupon to the Sabre store, $5 food concession giveaway for an entire section, have the games with throwback concession pricing, if the Sabres win a game you are at, get a discount on tickets to a future game, etc... the sky is the limit. I'd also suggest to the Sabres Alumni to change their raffles to have multiple winners(3 winners split the 50% of the take...1st gets 60%, 2nd gets 30%, 3rd gets 10%). I'm in the minority, but the kiss cam, bloopers videos and music played is fine. The majority of people don't want to hear some obscure music that would appeal to 1% of the crowd.

 

8. Do something about the smoking policy. If you go down by the Sabres store between periods, it is engulfed in smoke because the people are right outside the doors, and because the doors are constantly opened and closed, it is like they are smoking inside. Maybe go back to using the terrace outside of where Sabretooth's house used to be, but use a revolving door or something else that would minimize the smoke allowed back into the arena.

 

9. Bring back Hockey Hotline or some form of an extended post game show where they take some calls.

 

10. In the next few years find a way to get affiliated with Rochester again(assuming Donner is out of the picture). What better way to grow your fanbase then to have the Sabres of tommorrow playing 60 miles to the east of Buffalo. Also in terms of growing the fanbase, are the Sabres games still not shown in Southern Ontario? If not, they need to find a way to correct this.

 

I'm done. :)

I like a lot of these suggestions. The STH surveys are something that used to come out during the criminals reign and would be something good to restore. X had mentioned in another thread that Black had said something about having players deliver ST's to STH's. That would be cool as :censored: .

 

And when the rink is full, it can be tortuous to get around in the 300 level. (Good Lord, I hate it when the kids want to get ice cream. It WILL take the entire intermission to get them to the Perry's stand ~319 and back to our seats. It's actually quicker to go to the 100 level and back up.)

 

As far as building the fan base, getting on TV on the NP and getting reaffiliated w/ the Amerks would both be huge. Back in the '70's well over 1/2 the cars in the lots around the Aud had Ontario plates; except for when a Canadian team is in town, the %age of Canucks in the stands is lowered significantly. Nothing wrong w/ more Yanks getting into the games, I'm not implying that they shouldn't be going. But 90% of the people in Fort Erie should consider the Sabres THEIR team and 75% of those east of Hamilton should as well; getting them back on TV will help restore that.

 

I'd love to see the resurection of 'Hockey Hotline' - that was my favorite show on TV. Heck, there were a lot of several nights where that was more entertaining than the game.

 

The best way to fix #5 is put either an entertaining product or a winning product on the ice. Ideally do both. During the WJC's, the Canadian fans were off the scale loud; but during the game against Switzerland they were not loud at all. (They weren't Sabres - Caps Sunday quiet, but they were nearly that quiet.) They gave up a quick goal to start the game and the Swiss goalie was standing on his head. The crowd never got back into it to the same level they were against Russia or others. While the crowd and team can amplify each other, if the team is flat so will the crowd be.

 

 

Inspiring W tonight vs. Boston + interesting posts inspired another idea (although I am not sure I can beat some of the other posts) -- Not sure if there are CBA or other restrictions, but virtually every NHL team conducts their preseason practices in morning/afternoon hours in Sept-Oct. Why not schedule some practices at HSBC after working hours or prime time for select weeknights in September and open up to fans?

They do typically hold 1 open practice of that nature (usually on a weekend day) during training camp.

 

The regular training camp practices are open to the public (they even have 1 concession stand open) but aren't advertised as such.

 

I'd much rather see them restore the mid-December 'open practice.' That was always a blast as a kid. Not sure if they could get the old Western Savings Bank Sabres Jerseys back into the Sabres store for the kids to wear afterwards; but those were always pretty cool.

[Stoner]

Taro mentioned the congestion in the arena. What's hard to miss on TV is the scurrying up the aisles starting with about three minutes to go in periods. And straggling in late at the start of the next period. Is this a function of the congestion, long lines at concessions and restrooms? Can it be alleviated?

 

Same thing with ends of games. People head out awfully early, whether winning or losing. How can that be fixed?

 

I have to believe players notice this and it can have some effect on the game.

[X. Benedict]

HSBC:

 

I want a lifesize statue of Rico at one end of the atrium

A statue of Gilbert Perreault in the middle of the atrium

and Rene Robert on the other.

 

I that way I can meet the French Connection every time I come in.

[Taro T]

HSBC:

 

I want a lifesize statue of Rico at one end of the atrium

A statue of Gilbert Perreault in the middle of the atrium

and Rene Robert on the other.

 

I that way I can meet the French Connection every time I come in.

:worthy: :worthy: :worthy:

[shrader]

HSBC:

 

I want a lifesize statue of Rico at one end of the atrium

A statue of Gilbert Perreault in the middle of the atrium

and Rene Robert on the other.

 

I that way I can meet the French Connection every time I come in.

 

Or they could just make each of them stand as still as possible on pedestals in those three areas.

[IKnowPhysics]

I was thinking that the "Sports HEADLINES" lights should be torn down in favor of gigantic ass video board showing highlights from all eras. It would be bigger than the headlines lights- big enough to bee seen all the way down Washington St through the atrium windows. That would scream Hockey Mecca to people outside approaching the arena- some place we need to be.

 

Inside, the size of the screen would make highlights immensely larger than life, like you were waiting in line to physically enter the next chapter of Sabres history and tradition. Maybe put RJ over the PA in the Atrium.