Unfortunately it does matter Derek. We talk about how the program gets tepid support because there's no culture of supporting the program and they're seen as "minor league" because they have traditionally been bad and play in a mid major conference. However, building that culture is a combination of winning (which the team has done the last 5 years) AND getting buy in from the local community. Like it or not, the only exposure most people in WNY will get to the program is through the local media outlets like the Buffalo News, local telecasts, and WGR. It doesn't help that most games can only be watched on subscription ESPN+ online. If the team is going to truly grow the fanbase and generate real local buzz they need the local media to realize this is a big deal and important for the WNY sports scene. Like it or not, WGR and company ARE local trendsetters when it comes to sports in WNY and if these outlets don't treat this like a big deal, the majority of WNY fandom won't either.
Like you, I'm tickled pink over what's happening but the lack of knowledge about what's happening around WNY is downright frightening. We all want the program to move up to bigger and better things, and a better conference, but this year suggests that even if they somehow moved to the Big Ten it might not matter to Joe Bill's Fan, and that's a problem for the long term viability of the program to compete on a high level.
You are right about your Sabres point, and I agree. Buffalo as a sports town is a complete myth. Buffalo is a BILLS town and occasionally Sabres when they do something worth noting. Otherwise, we might as well be Miami or Atlanta for the overall support of athletics in WNY.