promotherobot Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 (edited) Let's say UB is still unbeaten in MAC play late in the season. There have been several sellouts at Alumni already. ADMA needs to raise revenue for another Oats extension after the season. Would it make sense to play a game or two at Key Bank Center in hopes of getting 8-10 even 12K attendance? More fans, more revenue, maybe an indication to Nate Oats that Buffalo basketball can reach the next level of community support and be worth sticking around for? Edited January 11, 2019 by promotherobot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DooleyBull06 Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 I love this idea. We see teams like Villanova and St. John’s play home games on campus and at nba arenas. However for this season it may be too late. But def something worth exploring for the near future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 They would need a big game. Students need to be around (we know they don't come when they aren't in school). That would mean it would have to be a MAC game late in the year. I just don't know that Kent/Ohio in Feb would draw enough, even though it certianlly should for a $15 ticket to see a top 20 team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
promotherobot Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Kevin said: They would need a big game. Students need to be around (we know they don't come when they aren't in school). That would mean it would have to be a MAC game late in the year. I just don't know that Kent/Ohio in Feb would draw enough, even though it certainly should for a $15 ticket to see a top 20 team. That's what I'm thinking. Next year we may not be this good so doing it now while interest is rising needs to happen. No idea how much it would cost to use KBC or if the Pegulas would do UB a favor and work something out. Should be easy enough to put people who already bought tickets at Alumni in good seats at KBC. How about making all of the 300 seats $10 GA? Edited January 11, 2019 by promotherobot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrooklynBull Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 2 hours ago, promotherobot said: Let's say UB is still unbeaten in MAC play late in the season. There have been several sellouts at Alumni already. ADMA needs to raise revenue for another Oats extension after the season. Would it make sense to play a game or two at Key Bank Center in hopes of getting 8-10 even 12K attendance? More fans, more revenue, maybe an indication to Nate Oats that Buffalo basketball can reach the next level of community support and be worth sticking around for? More expenses. UB is not going top get the Crossroads Marine Midland Arena HSBC Arena First Niagara Arena Key Bank Arena for free. What is the deal on concessions? What about parking (if the arena has its own parking facility)? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fosterclogfear Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 You won't get students to come downtown regardless, and the average fans won't turn out in thousands for our conference opponents. It would have to be an OOC game against a recognizable opponent, and it would probably cost more to get anyone decent in than the revenue generated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rma Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 3 minutes ago, BrooklynBull said: More expenses. UB is not going top get the Crossroads Marine Midland Arena HSBC Arena First Niagara Arena Key Bank Arena for free. What is the deal on concessions? What about parking (if the arena has its own parking facility)? Key Bank is a Center now. Parking is $2 an hour on Saturdays downtown now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikescherrer8 Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 This would be a neat idea. I think Alnutt and the university should sell the idea to the Pegula's and devise a Big 4/Big 4 related college tournament in the arena, bring in some other New York schools maybe, or bring in teams from the north east region. It would certainly help build college basketball culture here. As of right now, there are 22 D-1 basketball schools in NYS. The battle of NY. Something along those lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rma Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 1 minute ago, mikescherrer8 said: devise a Big 4/Big 4 related college tournament in the arena When we tried that it was awful. Need to get a national power in for fans. Syracuse won't play OOC games outside of the dome so count them out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
promotherobot Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 10 minutes ago, rma said: When we tried that it was awful. Need to get a national power in for fans. Syracuse won't play OOC games outside of the dome so count them out. I was at the last Big 4 event and it drew 5K maybe. (We lost to Canisius that day.) A tournament would be great but it would need some marquee programs to get people excited. But who can predict when you'll be as good as we are now? That's why I'm asking aloud if something could be put together now. And @BrooklynBull I know the building isn't free but was hoping the Pegulas could offer a one-time deal to test the waters. UB gets admission, Pegulas get parking/concessions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rma Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Unfortunately the only dates that would work this season are the Tuesday night games. I think once we get more hype this would be a great idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DooleyBull06 Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 Before we think hosting a tournament, how about we do one singular game. If the students don’t come out then shame on them. With our student population and 5k community support there’s no reason we can’t get at least 10k. Obviously there’s added expenses and challenges but for one game for this team and coach there’s gotta be a way. Imagine a late season conference game against Kent St (I’m thinking conference game that way we don’t have to buy a game) and we draw 10k fans, plus a few hundred KSU fans unfortunately. I think something like that could work. Gotta start small set the standard then grow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
01bull Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 (edited) I'd think you'd have to nearly sell the place out to make up for the cost of renting the arena compared to using the free one on campus. Also, i'm not sure what the atmosphere would be like w/ 10k people. while a lot of ppl, it could feel dead bc the building is so much bigger Also, I do wonder how much the pegulas would embrace it. They are very supportive of UB athletics, but there is a limit to that support - at the end of the day we are competition for them. Edited January 11, 2019 by 01bull Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bull_trojan Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 An old guide to the (it will always be Air Canada) Centre in Toronto sets minimum rental rate for public events at Air Canada Centre is $25,000 or 18 percent of the net ticket proceeds (whichever is higher). Tack on 42k in estimated expenses. Capacity is 19,800. If you sold out with $30 CAD tickets: Ticket Revenue = 594,000 Rental rate 18% = 106,920 Expenses = 42,000 Confetti clean up fee = 4,000 (lets treat ourselves) Parking concessions etc = 0 (house keeps it) UB profit = 441,080 CAD = 332,407 USD If the baseline was to make 200k USD, you'd have to either sellout (19,800) @ $19 CAD OR sell at least 12,500 at $30 CAD both seem do-able. I'd imagine Keybank rental rates are similar... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pottier25 Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 (edited) Pegula is not a basketball guy and he's only interested if theres enough profit in it for him. Despite what he said when he bought the Sabres he doesnt even operate the Sabres or Bills without making a profit. I know making a profit is his right I'm just saying it's in contrast to when he said only winning matters and if he wanted to make a profit he'd dig another well. Edited January 11, 2019 by pottier25 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DooleyBull06 Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 32 minutes ago, bull_trojan said: An old guide to the (it will always be Air Canada) Centre in Toronto sets minimum rental rate for public events at Air Canada Centre is $25,000 or 18 percent of the net ticket proceeds (whichever is higher). Tack on 42k in estimated expenses. Capacity is 19,800. If you sold out with $30 CAD tickets: Ticket Revenue = 594,000 Rental rate 18% = 106,920 Expenses = 42,000 Confetti clean up fee = 4,000 (lets treat ourselves) Parking concessions etc = 0 (house keeps it) UB profit = 441,080 CAD = 332,407 USD If the baseline was to make 200k USD, you'd have to either sellout (19,800) @ $19 CAD OR sell at least 12,500 at $30 CAD both seem do-able. I'd imagine Keybank rental rates are similar... Great insight. Obviously comes down to turnout. We can’t do this and draw 5k. So maybe it becomes a one time experiment in which you budget for and plan ahead for. Set aside funds for it. Obviously when the time comes you promote and market the heck out of it. And deal with the expenses as they are and profit (if there is one). I just think for one night it can be done. And if it yields positive results then perhaps it’s something that we can do once or twice a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire17 Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 The Key Bank Center is antiseptic, sterile, and if only 7 or 8 thousand show up, it will look and feel deserted as well. I can’t see a big enough draw for any MAC opponent this year. I don’t know squat about the financial ramifications, but would hope that AA would be SRO for the rest of this year. You’ve got a top 20 team, for crying out loud! If this program doesn’t regress, I can even see the UB townies starting to jump on the bandwagon. The BN is starting to finally give a little bit better press. The key is retaining Oats and crew, and continuing to nurture interest amongst the students. This is getting HUGE AH!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKBullsfan Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 I got an idea. This is long overdue. They should promote a Buffalo Braves night and it will be centered around finally putting up banners of players jerseys and divison championships. Keybank center has no banners from Buffalo’s pro basketball team. What a way to honor them, plus showcase Buffalo’s current best basketball team UB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrooklynBull Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 8 hours ago, MKBullsfan said: I got an idea. This is long overdue. They should promote a Buffalo Braves night and it will be centered around finally putting up banners of players jerseys and divison championships. Keybank center has no banners from Buffalo’s pro basketball team. What a way to honor them, plus showcase Buffalo’s current best basketball team UB. The banners from all of their division championships are already hanging. They never won one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FilzenFor3 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 I do not think the local fan support and hype around this program this year is enough to sell more than 10,000 seats at KeyBank with UB being the marquee team in a match-up. I do think that UB basketball is working their way towards gaining the support of the casual basketball fans in Western New York, but it is still very much a work in progress. A deep tournament run this year would do wonders for local fan support as that is when most casual sports fans really begin to pay attention to college basketball. Another thing that affects UB is lack of program history. This is a team that did not post a winning D1 basketball season from 1931 to 1994. They don't have the luxury of having multiple generations of fans who grew up watching high-level UB basketball. Every season recently has been a building block to build local fan support and this season is a huge one with the Bulls consistently in the Top 20. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squire17 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 17 hours ago, squire17 said: The BN is starting to finally give a little bit better press. Scrap that. I look in the paper today and it’s got the Miami game at 2:00. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchcountry7 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Key bank finances would be hard. You’d have to pay to shuttle students and you’d also have to pay to give tickets to students. Students attending the game would actually cost the school money which they don’t at AA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pottier25 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 Doesn't Syracuse come here next year? That game with another making a doubleheader would be a big draw I'd think especially with a big Cuse following around this area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dutchcountry7 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 3 minutes ago, pottier25 said: Doesn't Syracuse come here next year? What? Where did you hear this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pottier25 Posted January 12, 2019 Share Posted January 12, 2019 4 minutes ago, dutchcountry7 said: What? Where did you hear this? Maybe I'm totally wrong but I thought it was a 2 for 1 with Cuse? We went there 2 years in row now. Maybe I'm wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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