Tyrannustyrannus Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Two words : Larry Quinn. I get the venom for Larry Quinn, but his money didn't save the Sabres.
Ghost of Dwight Drane Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 As someone who blames LQ for 95 percent of the Sabres' problems, I have to ask what role he played in persuading Golisano to buy the team. As much as this thought makes me cringe -- did he play a role in keeping the Sabres in Buffalo? Any insights (I didn't keep the newspaper clippings and don't remember)? Dems roll over for Golisano Golisano didn't save the Sabres. Golisano was given a sweetheart deal where the Democrat controlled entities forgave $30 million+ in debt for him. Quinn was the madame who put those two in bed together. You see, Quinn has the Empire Zone group which is the municipality arm in charge of tax credits and other giveaways, wrapped around his finger. If the Buffalo News did the same hit job on Quinn/Golisano over the past 7 years that they have done on Pegula in the last 7 weeks, I'm sure TG/LQ might be enjoying another version of taxpayer-funded structures right now. The one with cast iron bars. Quinn was doing what he does best....bilking the taxpayers out of funds with little to show for it. In return for the el cheapo price tag, and now close to 3x his money back....Golisano funneled millions into pet Democrat campaigns and was a power player in other positions. Remember Bucky with his "Pigeon Dropping" quote a few weeks ago? That is Steve Pigeon, who is Golisano's other lackey and a Democrat chairman, Buffalo mainstay, and 3 card monte master. Remember a few years ago when I started to bring up Steve Pigeon in the locker after a Sabres game, skulking around as the boys were changing after the game? That's a pretty big code red for any logical person who knows who he is. A multiple code red. Tom Golisano buying the Sabres is the exact same thing as if your borother in law works for Bank of America.....and he sells you a $250K house that was foreclosed on, to you for $165K without accepting any bids from anyone else unless they paid the $250K. In this case you are Golisano, Quinn is your brother in law, the State/County/City is Bank of America, and the taxpayers of NY are the shareholders. Who got the deal and who got screwed? Who should be thanking who?
weehawk Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 you're bitter. ok, how about this... choice A> he never buys the team and they end up moving to bum f*ck canada choice B> he buys the team, keeps them in BUF, has an inept front-office, and has a team with a mediocre record I choose B. Thanks Tom for keeping them in BUF, even if the team has sucked. I swear, BUF sports fans can be incredibly stupid. Excuse me for interrupting the "OSP Lovefest"... Call me bitter, but any goodwill Golisano/Quinn earned by buying the team and keeping it in Buffalo was negated by everything that has happened since 7-1-07. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out of HSBC Arena.
weehawk Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 if it was such a sweetheart deal, why weren't there a dozen bidders for the team? You're a tool and a revisionist. no one wanted anything to do with the rigases and the mess they created. TG saved the team. any other opinions are pure propaganda or BS (republican or democrat). Dems roll over for Golisano Golisano didn't save the Sabres. Golisano was given a sweetheart deal where the Democrat controlled entities forgave $30 million+ in debt for him. Quinn was the madame who put those two in bed together. You see, Quinn has the Empire Zone group which is the municipality arm in charge of tax credits and other giveaways, wrapped around his finger. If the Buffalo News did the same hit job on Quinn/Golisano over the past 7 years that they have done on Pegula in the last 7 weeks, I'm sure TG/LQ might be enjoying another version of taxpayer-funded structures right now. The one with cast iron bars. Quinn was doing what he does best....bilking the taxpayers out of funds with little to show for it. In return for the el cheapo price tag, and now close to 3x his money back....Golisano funneled millions into pet Democrat campaigns and was a power player in other positions. Remember Bucky with his "Pigeon Dropping" quote a few weeks ago? That is Steve Pigeon, who is Golisano's other lackey and a Democrat chairman, Buffalo mainstay, and 3 card monte master. Remember a few years ago when I started to bring up Steve Pigeon in the locker after a Sabres game, skulking around as the boys were changing after the game? That's a pretty big code red for any logical person who knows who he is. A multiple code red. Tom Golisano buying the Sabres is the exact same thing as if your borother in law works for Bank of America.....and he sells you a $250K house that was foreclosed on, to you for $165K without accepting any bids from anyone else unless they paid the $250K. In this case you are Golisano, Quinn is your brother in law, the State/County/City is Bank of America, and the taxpayers of NY are the shareholders. Who got the deal and who got screwed? Who should be thanking who?
LabattBlue Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 you're bitter. ok, how about this... choice A> he never buys the team and they end up moving to bum f*ck canada choice B> he buys the team, keeps them in BUF, has an inept front-office, and has a team with a mediocre record I choose B. Thanks Tom for keeping them in BUF, even if the team has sucked. I swear, BUF sports fans can be incredibly stupid. Who says they would have moved to Canada if OSP didn't come along? Nothing but speculation on the part of your crystal ball, especially when you look at what Bettman is doing to keep a team in Phoenix. Do you thing the same efforts would not have applied to keeping the Sabres in a hockey market like Buffalo?
Ghost of Dwight Drane Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 if it was such a sweetheart deal, why weren't there a dozen bidders for the team? You're a tool and a revisionist. no one wanted anything to do with the rigases and the mess they created. TG saved the team. any other opinions are pure propaganda or BS (republican or democrat). That's the point....read the article I posted. The perks were thrown at Golisano only. Golisano had bid for the team before Hamister did and was rejected. Hamister couldn't get the tax and debt benefits that Golisano ended up with. The Rigas family had nothing to do with this. The NHL was the custodian of the team as the courts awaited the money to divy up among Adelphia debtholders. Hamister was no great guy, and his main partner ended up in jail as well....but the point being, look at this deal in hindsight. Follow the money trail. Look at the millions Golisano pumped into certain areas. Look at the people he surrounded himself with. Look at the amount of money he made, and Quinn walks away with for getting him the deal. Not to mention the muni money Quinn continues to pocket. All I know is 7 years ago, a home in Buffalo cost the same, the average worker pretty much made the same, the stock market was the same....yet Tommy G walks away with 3x his "investment" and meanwhile the state pension system is underfunded by billions, entitlements are a disaster, and taxes have gone through the roof. Again...who should thank who? It's not a Democrat thing. I railed against Bush/Paulson for funding the greatest fraud in American history. I hate to see the average joe take it in the a$$, then turn around and thank the raper. I've learned not to expect anything different many times.
Ghost of Dwight Drane Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Who says they would have moved to Canada if OSP didn't come along? Nothing but speculation on the part of your crystal ball, especially when you look at what Bettman is doing to keep a team in Phoenix. Do you thing the same efforts would not have applied to keeping the Sabres in a hockey market like Buffalo? Bingo! Buffalo was a stronger market even at that time. And Bettman continues to dog Balsilie who would be an incredible owner. It's about getting into the hands they want to.
SwampD Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 I'd ask him if he knows why bad things happen to good people.
Ghost of Dwight Drane Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 OK...here's a serious question. "Do you regret not giving Danny Briere $5 million, yet the next year you plugged $5 million into Baby Joe Mesi's bid for state senator among others?"
Hank Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Do you make sure you cut your Viagra pills in half before Monica gets to the house so she doesn't freak out when you pull out the knife? I take a whole pill and two loritab. I'm gumby with a ######.
Guest Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Tom Golisano is a business man who didn't know jack squat about hockey when he purchased the team. It was a win/win situation for him. He was seen as the hero at the time by saving the franchise, and now he has made quite the profit by selling the team. The unfortunate part of the whole deal is that TG didn't know hockey was played on ice which left all the business up to that ass-hat LQ. Let's hope TG goes after the Bills next, but only if Jim Kelly is somehow involved. Then Buffalo could possibly have two winning franchises in the near future. I am very curious to see how Pegula handles the whole LQ situation. As big of a hockey nut and Sabres fan they say he is, he should be very well aware of how under qualified LQ is when it comes to running an NHL team. I doubt he would axe LQ during the season, but he should be gone within hours after the Sabres final game this season. I see a Stanley Cup in the near future, this guy is as big a Sabres fan as most of us are.
Stoner Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Tom Golisano is a business man who didn't know jack squat about hockey when he purchased the team. It was a win/win situation for him. He was seen as the hero at the time by saving the franchise, and now he has made quite the profit by selling the team. The unfortunate part of the whole deal is that TG didn't know hockey was played on ice which left all the business up to that ass-hat LQ. Let's hope TG goes after the Bills next, but only if Jim Kelly is somehow involved. Then Buffalo could possibly have two winning franchises in the near future. I am very curious to see how Pegula handles the whole LQ situation. As big of a hockey nut and Sabres fan they say he is, he should be very well aware of how under qualified LQ is when it comes to running an NHL team. I doubt he would axe LQ during the season, but he should be gone within hours after the Sabres final game this season. I see a Stanley Cup in the near future, this guy is as big a Sabres fan as most of us are. How does LQ's title even survive the ownership change? Managing partner and minority owner. Seems like he'd be gone on Day One.
spndnchz Posted February 1, 2011 Author Report Posted February 1, 2011 How does LQ's title even survive the ownership change? Managing partner and minority owner. Seems like he'd be gone on Day One. Yup, he's gone. He said it himself. He also said he wanted to stay in the hockey business, maybe the minor levels.
shrader Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 How does LQ's title even survive the ownership change? Managing partner and minority owner. Seems like he'd be gone on Day One. Yes, he's gone, but is the title of managing partner completely separate from ownership?
Kristian Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Yup, he's gone. He said it himself. He also said he wanted to stay in the hockey business, maybe the minor levels. In a perfect world, he'd be hired by the Flyers or Senators.
That Aud Smell Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Yes, he's gone, but is the title of managing partner completely separate from ownership? several of us got a bit geeky on this issue a while back (korab was in on it). i'm pretty sure that LQ was denominated a managing partner because he's a stakeholder (i.e., partner)in the company that's selling the team. if he no longer holds that stake, then he's no longer a partner, and can therefore no longer be a managing partner. not sure how pegula is organizing his acquiring company -- i'd bet it's an llc -- but you can be sure that pegula is the managing member (partner) of the company that is buying the team.
Skibum Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 We should all thank Tom G. for 1) bailing out our favorite hockey team when it went bankrupt, 2) making it profitable again, and 3) lining up a filthy rich buyer when it was time for him to move on. Despite whatever has happened on the ice in the past couple of seasons, I can't harbor any hard feelings toward Mr. Golisano. He did a good thing for the community and I wish him the best.
wjag Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 My questions, and I'm quite serious: Do you read Sabrespace? I often wonder how these guys could resist. A board like this one is a pretty good pulse of the fan. Oh and.. Dominic Moore??? Really?? How do you not know he has a busted hand?
Guest Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 My questions, and I'm quite serious: Do you read Sabrespace? I often wonder how these guys could resist. A board like this one is a pretty good pulse of the fan. Oh and.. Dominic Moore??? Really?? How do you not know he has a busted hand? I hope to hell Pegula reads it. He seems like the type of owner that will do what his fans want, and that is to win and stop bringing in half-wits every trade deadline and offseason. We need a few big names in here and I think he is willing to go after them. And if he does read this.....Thank you Mr. Pegula. Looking forward to your success as ownership of the Sabres.
R_Dudley Posted February 1, 2011 Report Posted February 1, 2011 Yup, he's gone. He said it himself. He also said he wanted to stay in the hockey business, maybe the minor levels. Is it possible if the Sabres purchase/reaffiliate with the Amerks this guy could somehow end up managing that minor league team? Crazier shaught has happened and TG would sure give him a great recommendation on the business turn around make money criteria for the job. On the question front I would want to know; How long had he been seriously looking at selling and did it originally drive the 07 decisions not resign the 5 for 5 years triffecta of players we lost? How many offers did he have in that time ?
cdexchange Posted February 2, 2011 Report Posted February 2, 2011 I hope to hell Pegula reads it. He seems like the type of owner that will do what his fans want, and that is to win and stop bringing in half-wits every trade deadline and offseason. We need a few big names in here and I think he is willing to go after them. And if he does read this.....Thank you Mr. Pegula. Looking forward to your success as ownership of the Sabres. Maybe he'll read and post. How cool would that be. It's highly unlikely of course, but not impossible.
Stoner Posted February 2, 2011 Report Posted February 2, 2011 Maybe he'll read and post. How cool would that be. It's highly unlikely of course, but not impossible. Communicating with the fans directly, through these boards and social media and the like, seems like a no brainer in 2011. Wow, it's 2011. That kind of stunned me for a second. Where's that virtual sex machine they talked about 20 years ago?
shrader Posted February 2, 2011 Report Posted February 2, 2011 Communicating with the fans directly, through these boards and social media and the like, seems like a no brainer in 2011. Wow, it's 2011. That kind of stunned me for a second. Where's that virtual sex machine they talked about 20 years ago? If he posted here, we'd quickly run him off like we do to anyone with any connections. I know you won't like it due to your very well documented feelings about the media, but if they're ever going to talk with the fans, they'll do it through the media. This board may be great and all, but they reach far more people by going through tv and the paper. On that note, I always get the feeling that on this board we have a very high percentage of out-of-towners. A message board is never going to be a place representative of the fanbase as a whole, but in that regard, this place may be even less representative.
Stoner Posted February 2, 2011 Report Posted February 2, 2011 If he posted here, we'd quickly run him off like we do to anyone with any connections. I know you won't like it due to your very well documented feelings about the media, but if they're ever going to talk with the fans, they'll do it through the media. This board may be great and all, but they reach far more people by going through tv and the paper. On that note, I always get the feeling that on this board we have a very high percentage of out-of-towners. A message board is never going to be a place representative of the fanbase as a whole, but in that regard, this place may be even less representative. Who with connections was run off? Bill Hoppe? You must be an old fart like me. If TP wants to reach that critical young demographic, he'd be smart to do it on their turf -- Twitter, Facebook, texting, AOL chat rooms and the like. :)
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