In the history of American sports there has never been a "role model" fanbase to take after. Who are Buffalo fans supposed to act like? Whatever your answer to that question is I can guarantee there was a time period when their fanbase was poor. Fanbases are so cylical along with their teams success but I'm confident in saying Buffalo sports has had a pretty consistent fanbase and support.
- buffalokb

considering we haven't ever really won a top sports championship I think Buffalo is doing alright in that department. The Bills have been terrible since 1996 and they still get damn good attendance. The Sabres blew the last few seasons and still do alright..

Grigo is 19!! WWWWOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!

Heynineteenarenko
- glove_was_stuck

I was told I am supposed to ignore you

When have we not acted like one? It sounds like a dumb question but seriously when? During our bankruptcy years? Like one of the other posters said, our fanbase was demoralized by a string of horrible events. If you are referring to our booing, I fail to see how that makes us a bad hockey market. Leafs fans threw waffles on the ice...does that make them a non hockey market. Ottawa's fan base during its bankruptcy years was at an all time low, does that make Canada's capital a bad hockey market?

You can site an example for almost every team in the NHL (particularly in the states) where attendance has been poor and there has been an excuse (good or bad). IMO given what this team has been through and it's lack of accomplishments I think the fact that our fans still stick around is impressive.
- Sabresfan-365

That's an excuse. You're right. Buffalo isn't the only franchise that had bankruptcy years. However, we acted just like everyone else when it happened. We never showed up, yet somehow we claim we stick through it no matter what the circumstances. 2000-2004 and even early 2005-2006 proved that claim completely false. I'm not necessarily saying we're worse than other markets. I'm merely saying we're not nearly as much better than the others that we like to pretend we are. I've been to 10 other NHL cities, and believe me when I say Buffalo has a reputation of pretending it's better than it really is. And Ottawa's fanbase was not at an all time low. In fact, they had the best record in the east that year.

There's also the World Juniors, which was just laughable. We all beamed with pride when we got the bid. Fans were saying it. The media was saying it. We wrote articles, did TV specials, etc. We were going to show the world how great of a hockey market we are when it's set on an international stage...by letting all the folks from the Golden Horseshoe pump money into our economy.

That's an excuse. You're right. Buffalo isn't the only franchise that had bankruptcy years. However, we acted just like everyone else when it happened. We never showed up, yet somehow we claim we stick through it no matter what the circumstances. 2000-2004 and even early 2005-2006 proved that claim completely false. I'm not necessarily saying we're worse than other markets. I'm merely saying we're not nearly as much better than the others that we like to pretend we are. I've been to 10 other NHL cities, and believe me when I say Buffalo has a reputation of pretending it's better than it really is. And Ottawa's fanbase was not at an all time low. In fact, they had the best record in the east that year.

There's also the World Juniors, which was just laughable. We all beamed with pride when we got the bid. Fans were saying it. The media was saying it. We wrote articles, did TV specials, etc. We were going to show the world how great of a hockey market we are when it's set on an international stage...by letting all the folks from the Golden Horseshoe pump money into our economy.
- buffalofan19

Thats what we do best! Wait till this weekend when All the liquor stores in Ontario go on strike for their holiday weekend. That bridge will be loaded like never before.

That's an excuse. You're right. Buffalo isn't the only franchise that had bankruptcy years. However, we acted just like everyone else when it happened. We never showed up, yet somehow we claim we stick through it no matter what the circumstances. 2000-2004 and even early 2005-2006 proved that claim completely false. I'm not necessarily saying we're worse than other markets. I'm merely saying we're not nearly as much better than the others that we like to pretend we are. I've been to 10 other NHL cities, and believe me when I say Buffalo has a reputation of pretending it's better than it really is. And Ottawa's fanbase was not at an all time low. In fact, they had the best record in the east that year.

There's also the World Juniors, which was just laughable. We all beamed with pride when we got the bid. Fans were saying it. The media was saying it. We wrote articles, did TV specials, etc. We were going to show the world how great of a hockey market we are when it's set on an international stage...by letting all the folks from the Golden Horseshoe pump money into our economy.
- buffalofan19

That was an inevitability though. Hosting a tournament so close to the Canadian border is bound to attract many canadians (especially if it's close to southern ontario and the tickets are way cheaper). I bet if you hosted the tournament in Detroit it would have the same result, thousands of fans would drive through windsor to see it. Same thing happened when the tourney was in North Dakota. That's not really indicative of how great/bad sabres fans are, that's just Canada vs USA and evidently canadians care more about junior hockey than Americans.

Edit: You're also forgetting that like myself, there are a lot of Canadian Sabres fans who live very close to the border. Any time I drive down to see a game I run to a bunch of fans who have come from st. Catharine's, Hamilton, Niagra Falls canada etc. to support the Sabres.

That was an inevitability though. Hosting a tournament so close to the Canadian border is bound to attract many canadians (especially if it's close to southern ontario and the tickets are way cheaper). I bet if you hosted the tournament in Detroit it would have the same result, thousands of fans would drive through windsor to see it. Same thing happened when the tourney was in North Dakota. That's not really indicative of how great/bad sabres fans are, that's just Canada vs USA and evidently canadians care more about junior hockey than Americans.
- Sabresfan-365

It wasn't inevitable. The USA games had maybe 4,000 fans. MAYBE. You kind of prove his point. Buffalo isn't a great "hockey" town, were a great Sabres fan town. We're brand whores.

It wasn't inevitable. The USA games had maybe 4,000 fans. MAYBE. You kind of prove his point. Buffalo isn't a great "hockey" town, were a great Sabres fan town. We're brand whores.
- Buffalo--Sabres

You're proving my point too. The fact that there are 4000 fans at a USA game versus 18000 at a Canada game doesn't have anything to do with fans from Buffalo. All it proves is that Canadians care more about junior hockey than Americans and it doesn't take a scientist to figure that one out. What I'm trying to say is that the world juniors shouldn't be a reflection of fans from Buffalo since it has nothing to do with them. You host this tournament at any other city in the states that is remotely close to the Canadian border (Detroit, St.Paul, Fargo etc,) and you'll get the same result.

It wasn't inevitable. The USA games had maybe 4,000 fans. MAYBE. You kind of prove his point. Buffalo isn't a great "hockey" town, were a great Sabres fan town. We're brand whores.
- Buffalo--Sabres

buffalo is consistently in the top 3 ratings markets for nhl games across the league regardless if the sabres are playing or not

You're proving my point too. The fact that there are 4000 fans at a USA game versus 18000 at a Canada game doesn't have anything to do with fans from Buffalo. All it proves is that Canadians care more about junior hockey than Americans and it doesn't take a scientist to figure that one out. What I'm trying to say is that the world juniors shouldn't be a reflection of fans from Buffalo since it has nothing to do with them. You host this tournament at any other city in the states that is remotely close to the Canadian border (Detroit, St.Paul, Fargo etc,) and you'll get the same result.
- Sabresfan-365

We Medaled for several years leading up to that event including a gold two years earlier. I just dont get why 19,000 people kill to watch the Sabres underacheive vs. America's best young stars. There is a definite disconnect there.

buffalo is consistently in the top 3 ratings markets for nhl games across the league regardless if the sabres are playing or not
- robz228

That is true

It wasn't inevitable. The USA games had maybe 4,000 fans. MAYBE. You kind of prove his point. Buffalo isn't a great "hockey" town, were a great Sabres fan town. We're brand whores.
- Buffalo--Sabres

100% correct, lockout happens...... does attendance increase in any other area hockey teams griffs purple eagles niagra ice dogs erie otters amerks? NO to all, I can think of atleast 4 cities to be caled hockey heaven first.

buffalo is consistently in the top 3 ratings markets for nhl games across the league regardless if the sabres are playing or not
- robz228

and of all those markets we are prob what 3rd smallest, so this figure doesnt make the point IMO. Saskatoon prob would have higher ratings than some cities.

and of all those markets we are prob what 3rd smallest, so this figure doesnt make the point IMO. Saskatoon prob would have higher ratings than some cities.
- hubie

hes saying buffalo isnt a hockey city its a sabres city. if that was true they wouldnt watch games the sabres arent in

the size of the city is irrelevant

You're proving my point too. The fact that there are 4000 fans at a USA game versus 18000 at a Canada game doesn't have anything to do with fans from Buffalo. All it proves is that Canadians care more about junior hockey than Americans and it doesn't take a scientist to figure that one out. What I'm trying to say is that the world juniors shouldn't be a reflection of fans from Buffalo since it has nothing to do with them. You host this tournament at any other city in the states that is remotely close to the Canadian border (Detroit, St.Paul, Fargo etc,) and you'll get the same result.
- Sabresfan-365

When a Canadien wants to give me 10x the face value im gonna sell em. We did end up going with 8 tickets had a good time.

Americans could care less about people in their hockey minors let alone kids who arent even drafted yet in hockey.

hes saying buffalo isnt a hockey city its a sabres city. if that was true they wouldnt watch games the sabres arent in

the size of the city is irrelevant
- robz228

I agree we care about the sabres not hockey in general

I agree we care about the sabres not hockey in general
- hubie

so why do we watch non-sabres games? seriously makes no sense

When a Canadien wants to give me 10x the face value im gonna sell em. We did end up going with 8 tickets had a good time.

Americans could care less about people in their hockey minors let alone kids who arent even drafted yet in hockey.
- hubie

They are all drafted in the NHL though. Well the ones who intend to play in North America anyways.

so why do we watch non-sabres games? seriously makes no sense
- robz228

To watch better talent ?


*runs

They are all drafted in the NHL though. Well the ones who intend to play in North America anyways.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Yes, they are drafted buy most play another year in jrs.

so why do we watch non-sabres games? seriously makes no sense
- robz228

the majority dont watch. Honestly, most of my non sabre watching is at night while in bed. I do watch a bunch of Jr's when I have the time too its fun to watch, college game not so much go to a nu game or 2 a year

if im not mistaken we are the smallest american market

hes saying buffalo isnt a hockey city its a sabres city. if that was true they wouldnt watch games the sabres arent in

the size of the city is irrelevant
- robz228

The size of the city isn't irrelevant. Why do you think the NHL caters to the NY's, Boston's, and Philadelphia's of the world despite the fact that cities like Buffalo get higher ratings? Because ratings are skewed. Ratings are based on percentages. Buffalo gets a higher percentage of its population watching, but yet Philadelphia, for example has more people watching despite the lower percentage of people watching. Companies and advertisers care about the # of people that actually watch, not the percentage of the population. The "ratings" as they are constructed are feel-good stories for markets as small as ours, nothing more.

The size of the city isn't irrelevant. Why do you think the NHL caters to the NY's, Boston's, and Philadelphia's of the world despite the fact that cities like Buffalo get higher ratings? Because ratings are skewed. Ratings are based on percentages. Buffalo gets a higher percentage of its population watching, but yet Philadelphia, for example has more people watching despite the lower percentage of people watching. Companies and advertisers care about the # of people that actually watch, not the percentage of the population. The "ratings" as they are constructed are feel-good stories for markets as small as ours, nothing more.
- buffalofan19

Thank you

if 5 % of NYC watching is more people then 90% of Buffalo viewers

You're proving my point too. The fact that there are 4000 fans at a USA game versus 18000 at a Canada game doesn't have anything to do with fans from Buffalo. All it proves is that Canadians care more about junior hockey than Americans and it doesn't take a scientist to figure that one out. What I'm trying to say is that the world juniors shouldn't be a reflection of fans from Buffalo since it has nothing to do with them. You host this tournament at any other city in the states that is remotely close to the Canadian border (Detroit, St.Paul, Fargo etc,) and you'll get the same result.
- Sabresfan-365

Difference is, I don't hear people of those cities, except maybe a few, very few, "Hockeytown" blowhards from Detroit, beating their chests about what a great hockey market they are. The point isn't that we're a bad market. The point is that we don't have anywhere near the monopoly on this sort of thing, even in the United States, like people in this area seem to think we have. We're not that much better than the Pittsburghs, Detroits, and the Minnesotas of the world if at all. We're not worse either. We're right in the middle of the pack.