Id bet First Niagara would be out as they are not even a quarter the size
- hubie

You're probably right, but I guess what I am ultimately saying is get ready to see a much different corporate presence at First Niagara Center soon.

The Russ Brandon hate is hilarious... "What has he done with the Bills?" Oh well idk, broke records this year for season ticket sales... The home opener is not even going on sale to the general public and every game will be a sell out.... Seems his marketing, which is his job(not player movement or knowing there names) is going pretty well for him. Everyone who watches the Bills knew this was going to happen. The day Pegula took over the Bill he wanted Brandon to take over both and he turned it down, they are buddies and this is going to do wonders for the Sabres and the Arena. Everyone knew Blacks days were numbere after the Patty L fiasco.

IM actually canceling my tix cause Mr. Black is gone
- hubie

No joke, the friend I do my tickets with told me he's not doing them next year now that Brandon is the President.

Overreact much??

The Russ Brandon hate is hilarious... "What has he done with the Bills?" Oh well idk, broke records this year for season ticket sales... The home opener is not even going on sale to the general public and every game will be a sell out.... Seems his marketing, which is his job(not player movement or knowing there names) is going pretty well for him. Everyone who watches the Bills knew this was going to happen. The day Pegula took over the Bill he wanted Brandon to take over both and he turned it down, they are buddies and this is going to do wonders for the Sabres and the Arena. Everyone knew Blacks days were numbere after the Turdburger fiasco.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

fixed

he knew everything about the East , west players in the NHL and what team we're trying to become

can Brandon name one player ?
- gerbe75pts

You know a more than most as a hobby. He could have had the same.

See, this is what I want examples on. Not that I don't believe that to be the case. I just want to see what they've been doing wrong, specifically.
- TheSabresTaco

I feel like they totally bumbled the broadcast of the prospects game.
Their social media is pretty behind the times. I think we were alerted of said terrible broadcast about 4 hours before it happened.
Over the last 10 years, i have seen more hockey games in other arenas than Buffalo.
The music definitely sucks in Buffalo. 14 year old girls or not, San Jose plays more rocking music than Buffalo does. If they feel like they HAVE to play some Sh!tbull and Miley Cyrus, just dial it back a bit, they don't have to be on between every other whistle.
If this is about fan experience, I truly believe Buffalo needs to step it up a bit.

No joke, the friend I do my tickets with told me he's not doing them next year now that Brandon is the President.

Overreact much??
- HonkFortheGoose

Text him right now and tell him he owes you dinner at 716 when he changes his mind next week.

See, this is what I want examples on. Not that I don't believe that to be the case. I just want to see what they've been doing wrong, specifically.
- TheSabresTaco

The arena atmosphere has been a disaster over the past five years, despite the improvements. You would never see the embarrassment that have been some of the press conferences (i.e. the end of 2012 when Regier was retained, Pat LaFontaine, etc.) under the Bills, despite the fact that their product was probably worse. If I was the COO of a company, and I had PR nightmares like that, I would have been fired years ago, and rightfully so.

You're probably right, but I guess what I am ultimately saying is get ready to see a much different corporate presence at First Niagara Center soon.
- buffalofan19

with someone with relatively decent FN(as the bank) the relationship has been down hill since John Koemel left to go to Harbor center

Text him right now and tell him he owes you dinner at 716 when he changes his mind next week.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Considering he's already changed his mind like 12 times in the last year, I wouldn't be surprised.

I just don't see what Russ Brandon has to do with keeping our season tickets. If he doesn't want them anymore, that's fine. But he can certainly sign them over to me and I won't complain.

No joke, the friend I do my tickets with told me he's not doing them next year now that Brandon is the President.

Overreact much??
- HonkFortheGoose

Ur kidding.... he stayed with you threw the last two year and now bows out? WOW just wow. The group I go in with the 2 guys who ditched us last year we only allowed 5 games each instead of the usual 10

with someone with relatively decent FN(as the bank) the relationship has been down hill since John Koemel left to go to Harbor center
- hubie

He didn't leave to go to Harbor Center. FN fired him as a desperate PR move because of poor returns. The Pegula's hired him because they realized he wasn't the problem and they were right. First Niagara hasn't improved at all, and this is with HSBC completely just leaving the marketplace and they still couldn't get a bump in business.

Considering he's already changed his mind like 12 times in the last year, I wouldn't be surprised.

I just don't see what Russ Brandon has to do with keeping our season tickets. If he doesn't want them anymore, that's fine. But he can certainly sign them over to me and I won't complain.
- HonkFortheGoose

Or send them my way..........

He didn't leave to go to Harbor Center. FN fired him as a desperate PR move because of poor returns. The Pegula's hired him because they realized he wasn't the problem and they were right. First Niagara hasn't improved at all, and this is with HSBC completely just leaving the marketplace and they still couldn't get a bump in business.
- Buffalo--Sabres

he wasn't fired

http://bills.buffalonews....s-operations-no-surprise/

Sabres General Manager Tim Murray will continue to oversee hockey operations for the organization and report directly to Terry and Kim Pegula. The Bills have a similar structure with GM Doug Whaley and coach Rex Ryan also reporting directly to the Pegulas.

As long as this part is accurate, it should be fine, assuming Brandon doesn't make enemies in hockey circles somehow (not saying he would, just that would be the only way this wouldn't work).

The arena atmosphere has been a disaster over the past five years, despite the improvements. You would never see the embarrassment that have been some of the press conferences (i.e. the end of 2012 when Regier was retained, Pat LaFontaine, etc.) under the Bills, despite the fact that their product was probably worse. If I was the COO of a company, and I had PR nightmares like that, I would have been fired years ago, and rightfully so.
- buffalofan19

The last time the atmosphere was good was when they did the voting and the polls by fans of what music they wanted to play and the videos and stuff on the screen. That lasted 1 year and then went to sh!t, I remember being a kid and the place would be rocking non-stop. Now even when we are winning everyone sits in silence, you try to start a chant or cheering and everyone gives you dirty looks like you are crazy. Its unbelievable that these are the same fans that go to the ralph and from outside the arena it sounds like thunder and the ground is almost shaking. Even when they are getting blown out!

Considering he's already changed his mind like 12 times in the last year, I wouldn't be surprised.

I just don't see what Russ Brandon has to do with keeping our season tickets. If he doesn't want them anymore, that's fine. But he can certainly sign them over to me and I won't complain.
- HonkFortheGoose

I rolled the dice and signed up for the waiting list about 3 games before locking up Eichel. Now hopefully by the time my kids are in highschool I'll have tickets.

Ur kidding.... he stayed with you threw the last two year and now bows out? WOW just wow. The group I go in with the 2 guys who ditched us last year we only allowed 5 games each instead of the usual 10
- hubie

We've already paid for the upcoming season, but he said he's out after this year. I'm sure he'll change his mind again at least a handful of times. He's the type of person that says things as a knee jerk reaction but doesn't actually act on it until he really thinks it through.

I rolled the dice and signed up for the waiting list about 3 games before locking up Eichel. Now hopefully by the time my kids are in highschool I'll have tickets.
- Buffalo--Sabres

I did it last year about this time and not one call so far. Guess I should put my unborn sons name on there and hope he can get in.

Trying to talk my Dad into putting his over to my name then try to move them back up to the 300's. Not only do I not want to pay 100 level prices I don't like watching down there anymore

We've already paid for the upcoming season, but he said he's out after this year. I'm sure he'll change his mind again at least a handful of times. He's the type of person that says things as a knee jerk reaction but doesn't actually act on it until he really thinks it through.
- HonkFortheGoose

Yeah hes an idiot hell change his mind. wouldn't make sense to bail now

The last time the atmosphere was good was when they did the voting and the polls by fans of what music they wanted to play and the videos and stuff on the screen. That lasted 1 year and then went to sh!t, I remember being a kid and the place would be rocking non-stop. Now even when we are winning everyone sits in silence, you try to start a chant or cheering and everyone gives you dirty looks like you are crazy. Its unbelievable that these are the same fans that go to the ralph and from outside the arena it sounds like thunder and the ground is almost shaking. Even when they are getting blown out!
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

Well, the last 2 years fans were getting mad when they won, so that could have something to do with it as well. I got dragged out of the Vancouver game this year by my friend because the Sabres were winning. He was yelling at me like it was my fault and everything.

The atmosphere should essentially be completely different this season now that the "tank" part of the rebuild is over.

I did it last year about this time and not one call so far. Guess I should put my unborn sons name on there and hope he can get in.

Trying to talk my Dad into putting his over to my name then try to move them back up to the 300's. Not only do I not want to pay 100 level prices I don't like watching down there anymore
- hubie

I do once in a while. But I think you get a better view of what's actually going on from the 300s. Being able to see the plays developing is pretty cool. Well, when you have a good team that is.

Well, the last 2 years fans were getting mad when they won, so that could have something to do with it as well. I got dragged out of the Vancouver game this year by my friend because the Sabres were winning. He was yelling at me like it was my fault and everything.

The atmosphere should essentially be completely different this season now that the "tank" part of the rebuild is over.
- HonkFortheGoose

Agree. What screwed our atmosphere was when we signed Leino and Erhoff and others and we thought we were going to be good then we were just a flat out disappointing team. That followed by the tank. Should be good this year, I can't wait.

he wasn't fired
- hubie

I guess I remember wrong

Agree. What screwed our atmosphere was when we signed Leino and Erhoff and others and we thought we were going to be good then we were just a flat out disappointing team. That followed by the tank. Should be good this year, I can't wait.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Dont forget Boyes