http://www.fromtherink.com/2008/10/30/6 ... -of-nhl-re

These numbers are post-revenue sharing (in millions). Just more proof that despite sell-outs and good merchandise sales to a great fanbase around the country, low ticket prices and a lack of big corporate sponsorships greatly hinder the Sabres profits.

I know people bristle at the term "small market", but how else can it be described? Carolina and Pittsburgh are just below Buffalo on the list and have won Cups in the same (cap era) time period, but one team stunk for a while and racked up high draft picks while the other was pretty fortunate with injuries and an 8th seed opponent paving the way to success. Otherwise, two teams above Buffalo and the rest below are the quintessential epitomy of "small market" in the NHL. Having moved away 13 years ago, it's hard for me to tell, but how much of an average price increase would area fans be willing or able to pay (if the team became more aggressive with player movements in return)?

It's not about how willing would we be, it's about how much we'd be able to keep up. The Sabres keep raising ticket prices, but the economic landscape in Buffalo is becoming less supportive. The sell-outs happen not because the Sabres fans are making enough, it's because we're devoting a larger fraction of of our money to them. Eventually, fans won't be able to justify devoting what the Sabres want and it'll all come crashing down.

_________________
mechaphil

Sounds like Quebec, except for the arena issue. I hope it doesn't come to that, because moving back and buying two season ticket packages probably wouldn't be enough. I have my priorities (Sabres over work, family, etc) but my money alone isn't enough to make a difference.

With Buffalo and Pittsburgh, their lowest totals were in the period when both teams sucked.

The pre lockout figures for Buffalo don't consider how badly the team plays, that is the biggest thing with revenue, the worse the team is, the less money it will make.

You can see when Pittsburgh was winning they financially improved 20 million dollars. Buffalo improved 20 million from the lock out to 05-06 also, and has grown almost 50% from that time.

Buffalo is one of the top 5 in in percentage change in that period and do just fine by being a smaller market.

Pittsburgh will greatly improve when a new arena is built too.

_________________

In order for the Sabres to keep pulling in what they do, they are going to HAVE to win year in and year out, because if they get too expensive for people to spend on a losing team, it'll be as bad as when Hasek left.

_________________
mechaphil

Shocking, I thought Pittsburgh was doing WAY better then that!

And how about Tampa Bay?! Wow, that's a fucking thriving hockey market!!

_________________
"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

The last year said 87 Million, remember, they Penguins sucked ass in 05-06, and 06-07.

_________________

i have a theory, and people are going to HISS at me about this theory, but eventually, the sabres will move. with the economy in buffalo, and the way the city is losing population, ect, i think that in 10-20 years, the team will move.

this isnt a pot shot at the city, i believe detroit will move too if this keeps up (GRAND RAPIDS!) but it just seems thats the way things will go.

on the flip side, they could become like the packers and thrive in a small environment. who knows. just what i think in the back of my head. i dont like it one bit.

_________________

I have a theory that the Bills will move first, thus helping the Sabres stay put.

_________________
Wheelhouse

that could very well happen. or at least prolong the sabres tenure in buffalo.

_________________

The Bills might move, but it would be smarter for either city to retain an NFL team. Much more revenue to be earned by the Bills than the Sabres.

_________________