Am I a bad fan if I choose to boycott this organization?

[noocllez]

The level of respect this front office (and I'm not talking about poor Darcy) has shown its players, personnel and fans has seriously made me ponder my loyalty to this franchise. Bare in mind, this is not the franchise that once flourished under the reign of The Knox Brothers, this is a completely different business, or company, if you will.

This organization has shown time and time again (since its acquisition by Tom Golisano) that it chooses the operational schematic that of a corporation, always choosing in favor of a higher yield in profits, and not that of long term success or passion.

Since I can remember, since the first time I put ice skates on in my grandfathers frozen-over backyard in Buffalo, I have been a die-hard Buffalo Sabres fan (25+ years now). Through success and failure I have always stuck by my team. I live in NYC now, imagine how easy it would be for me to turn my back and become a Rangers fan? With all the player acquisition activity, local advertisement and proactive involvement you would think it'd be easy. Not so, I would never root for a team other than my own, the one I fell in love with since before I can remember. You could beat me half to death with a hockey stick and I would never shift my loyalty to another team.

But still, I wonder why we all still love this team so much which has given us so little in return. Not the players, not the coaches, but the people who take our hard earned money through ticket and merchandise sales, television network contracts and all the other loopholes they've instituted to squeeze another buck out of our pockets.

I'll still rep our men in blue and gold, but I refuse to support a corporation that continues to swindle its (low-income marketed) fans and supporters. Not until they prove to us otherwise that we matter, as fans and ultimately the people who pay their bills, buy their lavish homes and fuel their road-hogging SUV's.

Rant over.

~Jr
Brooklyn

[BanditsRock11]

Hey, sports is a business. The team is a product. If you don't like the product, why buy it, or things thats support it if you don't like it? Money and time are valuable. It doesn't make you a bad fan, some people on here will say it will, but in the end, it your money, why waste it on something you don't like? Sounds dumb if you do.

[comericatigers]

Hey, sports is a business. The team is a product. If you don't like the product, why buy it, or things thats support it if you don't like it? Money and time are valuable. It doesn't make you a bad fan, some people on here will say it will, but in the end, it your money, why waste it on something you don't like? Sounds dumb if you do.

And that's coming from an A's fan. You are a dieing breed my friend.

[3LH]

Tom Golisano may not be the perfect owner - but if not for him we might not have a team. He is committed to keeping the Sabres in Buffalo... that shows some respect for us as fans and I appreciate that. So it's not a total corporate sellout situation.

I see what you are saying though. I guess you want them to spend right to the cap like the Rangers do. It's just not realistic. We can be competitive with the Buffalo economics that Golisano & Co. have to deal with. We have been and hopefully will continue to be. It's just harder. But look at a team like the Tampa Bay Rays leading the AL East over the Red Sox and Yankees. It makes it all the sweeter if it's your team. The Sabres are our Rays.

You're just sad because there's no hockey. So am I. We'll feel better when one of our guys lights the lamp in the first game. My guess is Roy scores the first Sabres goal of 2008-09 at 7:34 in the first period. There, that made me feel better already just thinking about it!! :goal:

[comericatigers]

The level of respect this front office (and I'm not talking about poor Darcy) has shown its players, personnel and fans has seriously made me ponder my loyalty to this franchise. Bare in mind, this is not the franchise that once flourished under the reign of The Knox Brothers, this is a completely different business, or company, if you will.

This organization has shown time and time again (since its acquisition by Tom Golisano) that it chooses the operational schematic that of a corporation, always choosing in favor of a higher yield in profits, and not that of long term success or passion.

Since I can remember, since the first time I put ice skates on in my grandfathers frozen-over backyard in Buffalo, I have been a die-hard Buffalo Sabres fan (25+ years now). Through success and failure I have always stuck by my team. I live in NYC now, imagine how easy it would be for me to turn my back and become a Rangers fan? With all the player acquisition activity, local advertisement and proactive involvement you would think it'd be easy. Not so, I would never root for a team other than my own, the one I fell in love with since before I can remember. You could beat me half to death with a hockey stick and I would never shift my loyalty to another team.

But still, I wonder why we all still love this team so much which has given us so little in return. Not the players, not the coaches, but the people who take our hard earned money through ticket and merchandise sales, television network contracts and all the other loopholes they've instituted to squeeze another buck out of our pockets.

I'll still rep our men in blue and gold, but I refuse to support a corporation that continues to swindle its (low-income marketed) fans and supporters. Not until they prove to us otherwise that we matter, as fans and ultimately the people who pay their bills, buy their lavish homes and fuel their road-hogging SUV's.

Rant over.

~Jr
Brooklyn

You are allowed to boycott the team. You still love this club because it is a Buffalo team. Buffalonians love our loser franchises (myself included) and cherish them dearly in hope that one of them someday wins it all. We are almost like a cult. Maybe you love the cult? :dunno:

[noocllez]

Tom Golisano may not be the perfect owner - but if not for him we might not have a team. He is committed to keeping the Sabres in Buffalo... that shows some respect for us as fans and I appreciate that. So it's not a total corporate sellout situation.

I see what you are saying though. I guess you want them to spend right to the cap like the Rangers do. It's just not realistic. We can be competitive with the Buffalo economics that Golisano & Co. have to deal with. We have been and hopefully will continue to be. It's just harder. But look at a team like the Tampa Bay Rays leading the AL East over the Red Sox and Yankees. It makes it all the sweeter if it's your team. The Sabres are our Rays.

You're just sad because there's no hockey. So am I. We'll feel better when one of our guys lights the lamp in the first game. My guess is Roy scores the first Sabres goal of 2008-09 at 7:34 in the first period. There, that made me feel better already just thinking about it!! :goal:

3LH, I respect you and everything you have to say (I especially liked the Roy prediction in game 1 of 08/09), but wouldn't it be a safe bet, considering all the other obvious, business-first moves that have been made since he took over... that taking over the team and then promising the city of Buffalo not to move the team, was just another corporate move to win-over the appreciation of the public? Sounds like a pretty good first move in a game of chess to me.

If you've ever been screwed over by a friend and then looked back on how or why it happened, you usually find yourself remembering that person doing something very nice for you in the beginning of the friendship. Hence, you trusting them enough to allow them to be in a position where they could stab you in the back (over and over).

~Jr
Brooklyn

[ksl66]

Do what you got to do:
Is it aggravating to have to wait for talent to develop (when it may never happen)? Yes.

I am I envious watching Detroit win a Stanley Cup and then turn around and sign the best player on the market? Yes.

Does it bug me to watch fan favorites Hasek, Peca, Greer, Dumont, McKee, Drury, Briere and Campbell walk out of town? Very much so.

Would I ever boycott this hockey team? No, I have been watching since I was 8 years old, I love this team and this game and can't even shut the games off when they suck, I have (as have we all) suffered through not making the playoffs, bankruptcy, 10 years of not getting out of the first round and now the exodus of very good, very popular players.

Would I consider you a bad fan if you boycotted the team? No, thats on you, you make your own choices and who am I to say your wrong, but if they wind up in the eastern conference finals, 20 minutes away from the cup, don't get on here and say how great Lindy, Darcy and the team are.

[3LH]

3LH, I respect you and everything you have to say (I especially liked the Roy prediction in game 1 of 08/09), but wouldn't it be a safe bet, considering all the other obvious, business-first moves that have been made since he took over... that taking over the team and then promising the city of Buffalo not to move the team, was just another corporate move to win-over the appreciation of the public? Sounds like a pretty good first move in a game of chess to me.

If you've ever been screwed over by a friend and then looked back on how or why it happened, you usually find yourself remembering that person doing something very nice for you in the beginning of the friendship. Hence, you trusting them enough to allow them to be in a position where they could stab you in the back (over and over).

~Jr
Brooklyn
haha!! well I guess no one ever knows for sure.... so I can understand if you are skeptical. Golisano will make a boatload of money whenever he does sell the team. He has said he won't sell unless and until he has a firm commitment from new ownership that they will keep the team in Buffalo. But again, we won't know until we get there.... that's when we'll know if we've been stabbed in the back.

[nehemiah]

if you're a fan - you root for your team.

doesn't matter what happens.... you ALWAYS root for your team.

they could dig hitler up and put him on the 4th line - i would still root for the Sabres.

just IMO.

[Wojo1203]

KSL66!!!! Perfect post! That would be my response to a (capital) T. I think your me but 7 yrs older! Couldnt agree more on your last statement either

"Would I consider you a bad fan if you boycotted the team? No, thats on you, you make your own choices and who am I to say your wrong, but if they wind up in the eastern conference finals, 20 minutes away from the cup, don't get on here and say how great Lindy, Darcy and the team are."

My vote for post of the year

[Riley_Mason]

The Knox Brothers operated during a time when the NHL was a regional sport with a sane players union. Those were the old days, they have no relation to the present NHL.
The Rigas family ripped us off, and are in federal prisons because of it.
Without the present ownership, and yes, Larry Quinn, there would be no team here for you to boycott.
Golisano saved this franchise and made it healthy again, and put a winning product on the ice, a miracle really considering the players union is packed full of greedy mercenaries who have no care for the well being of the league.
The time for childish idolization of sports players is long gone.

[Dontdieman]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAaa


and thats all I have to say about that.

[delectrolux]

.
seriously, this team was floundering financially and competitively, and the current management took them and made them the hottest product on the ice in the NHL. we had a crappy year last year - guess what, it happens. But don't you remember the year before?! It was the most fun watching this team in almost 10 years. and no, almost winning a cup isn't enough, but how can you say that getting that close twice in a row is a badly managed team? every team goes in waves – the Penguins were SO BAD for SO LONG and only now have turned it around. The Rangers, who freely spend and are in the biggest market in America, if not the NHL, were SO BAD for SO LONG... I'm happy with this team. I'm happy with this ownership. I love being a Sabres fan.
.

[DropTheGloves]

If the Sabres are the Rays then God save us all.

[ddpderek]

Go Cheer for the Rags and Piss off.

[Papaduke]

I could care less what you do... you are grown up and do not need my or anyone else's permission

[Rockstar]

The level of respect this front office (and I'm not talking about poor Darcy) has shown its players, personnel and fans has seriously made me ponder my loyalty to this franchise. Bare in mind, this is not the franchise that once flourished under the reign of The Knox Brothers, this is a completely different business, or company, if you will.

This organization has shown time and time again (since its acquisition by Tom Golisano) that it chooses the operational schematic that of a corporation, always choosing in favor of a higher yield in profits, and not that of long term success or passion.

Since I can remember, since the first time I put ice skates on in my grandfathers frozen-over backyard in Buffalo, I have been a die-hard Buffalo Sabres fan (25+ years now). Through success and failure I have always stuck by my team. I live in NYC now, imagine how easy it would be for me to turn my back and become a Rangers fan? With all the player acquisition activity, local advertisement and proactive involvement you would think it'd be easy. Not so, I would never root for a team other than my own, the one I fell in love with since before I can remember. You could beat me half to death with a hockey stick and I would never shift my loyalty to another team.

But still, I wonder why we all still love this team so much which has given us so little in return. Not the players, not the coaches, but the people who take our hard earned money through ticket and merchandise sales, television network contracts and all the other loopholes they've instituted to squeeze another buck out of our pockets.

I'll still rep our men in blue and gold, but I refuse to support a corporation that continues to swindle its (low-income marketed) fans and supporters. Not until they prove to us otherwise that we matter, as fans and ultimately the people who pay their bills, buy their lavish homes and fuel their road-hogging SUV's.

Rant over.

~Jr
Brooklyn



Yes. It does make you a bad fan…

I hate the big money boys as much as anyone, if not more than anyone.
But what you need to realize is that this isn’t anything new. The big money owners have always been there and always will be. Don’t think for a second that back in the “good old days” it was any different. There always has been and always will be the have and the have not’s.
Those owners don’t give a *** about you, me, or anyone. All they care about is continuing the flow of money in their pockets.
There aren’t good owners and bad owners. They are all the same. Some of them are just better salesmen.

Here is the deal. We root for our teams because it’s a break and escape from our reality. The reality that we have to work for a living. Whether you make over a hundred grand a year or under forty thousand. We are all in the same boat compared to these big millionaires and billionaires.
It’s like Chris Rock says. There is wealthy, and there is rich.
Shakil O'Neal (Shack) is rich!!!!!! The guy who signs his check is wealthy…..

Bottom line is you’re a sh*ty fan and your depriving yourself of the only good thing these douche bags give you. That is an escape from reality. An escape into caring about something that doesn’t really matter in the outlook of your life. But it does make you feel emotions high and low as you choose. It’s no different than doing drugs. But you won’t hurt yourself or go to jail for this.

*** the ownership! Celebrate you team and take it for what it is!

Anything else and you’re kidding yourself.

[stepsukie]

If you boycott a team you aren't a fan. Punkass move.

[RustySabre]

Maybe the problem is that we as fans become victims of information overload and we forgot how to just enjoy the game. Every time a player takes a crap there is some to report on what color it is and hundreds of opinions on what color we think it should be. Everyone wants to know what’s going on with player x and they need up to the second reports as if it’s life and death. Like if they found out a day later the whole world would come crashing down around them. Do we really need to know where every cent each player makes and every cent the team spends. What happened to simply enjoying the fact that you can go to a live game? The thrill of the playoff hunt. Perfectly set up plays and spectacular saves. The speed of the game and the puck handling skills of the players. I’ve watched this team since 1970 and will continue as long as the city they represent is Buffalo and God forbid they should ever leave, I’ll still watch the game. It’s a business to the owners and the players but to me it’s just a game. I’ll enjoy it, be entertained by it but will not get my colon in a knot over it. That’s for the business people to worry about.

[stevesy]

Maybe the problem is that we as fans become victims of information overload and we forgot how to just enjoy the game. Every time a player takes a crap there is some to report on what color it is and hundreds of opinions on what color we think it should be. Everyone wants to know what’s going on with player x and they need up to the second reports as if it’s life and death. Like if they found out a day later the whole world would come crashing down around them. Do we really need to know where every cent each player makes and every cent the team spends. What happened to simply enjoying the fact that you can go to a live game? The thrill of the playoff hunt. Perfectly set up plays and spectacular saves. The speed of the game and the puck handling skills of the players. I’ve watched this team since 1970 and will continue as long as the city they represent is Buffalo and God forbid they should ever leave, I’ll still watch the game. It’s a business to the owners and the players but to me it’s just a game. I’ll enjoy it, be entertained by it but will not get my colon in a knot over it. That’s for the business people to worry about.

Great post. Couldn't say it better myself. Being a know it all about your favorite team is fun. But when it gets to the point of knowing too much, that's when the fun stops. It's when the line blurs between being a fan and thinking you are part of the team. That you have some sort of stake in the organization that the average fan does not. That your emotions for a team become too much for you to handle. When your stomach ache after a regular season loss turns into an ulcer during the offseason, you have to step back and realize your roll with the team.

To the thread starter: Boycotting a team is your decision, but if you're searching for approval on this message board there are obviously some issues you're having with that decision. I would suggest instead of boycotting the team, you take a step away from the blogs, the message boards, the doomsday newspaper editorials, and of the depressing Buffalo sports mentality and simplify the game for yourself. Remember why you loved watching sports as a kid, when you had no idea about player salaries and poor management practices. Back when all you wanted was to see your team win the game. Because even though you know a lot more now than you did as that little blissfully ignorant kid you once were, you have no more power to change anything. Go ahead and boycott the team. You'll be back.

[ddpderek]

Maybe the problem is that we as fans become victims of information overload and we forgot how to just enjoy the game. Every time a player takes a crap there is some to report on what color it is and hundreds of opinions on what color we think it should be. Everyone wants to know what’s going on with player x and they need up to the second reports as if it’s life and death. Like if they found out a day later the whole world would come crashing down around them. Do we really need to know where every cent each player makes and every cent the team spends. What happened to simply enjoying the fact that you can go to a live game? The thrill of the playoff hunt. Perfectly set up plays and spectacular saves. The speed of the game and the puck handling skills of the players. I’ve watched this team since 1970 and will continue as long as the city they represent is Buffalo and God forbid they should ever leave, I’ll still watch the game. It’s a business to the owners and the players but to me it’s just a game. I’ll enjoy it, be entertained by it but will not get my colon in a knot over it. That’s for the business people to worry about.



100 Percent true. Why does it seem that the Contracts and the money are more important then the actual game next year.

For example if Miller doesnt sign before the season next year that is all we will hear about night in and night out and thats bull shit.

[MauvaisSang]

they could dig hitler up and put him on the 4th line - i would still root for the Sabres.

just IMO.

Would he be as prissy in the corners as Vanek? 'Cause if so, I don't want him on my checking line.

[noocllez]

Great post. Couldn't say it better myself. Being a know it all about your favorite team is fun. But when it gets to the point of knowing too much, that's when the fun stops. It's when the line blurs between being a fan and thinking you are part of the team. That you have some sort of stake in the organization that the average fan does not. That your emotions for a team become too much for you to handle. When your stomach ache after a regular season loss turns into an ulcer during the offseason, you have to step back and realize your roll with the team.

To the thread starter: Boycotting a team is your decision, but if you're searching for approval on this message board there are obviously some issues you're having with that decision. I would suggest instead of boycotting the team, you take a step away from the blogs, the message boards, the doomsday newspaper editorials, and of the depressing Buffalo sports mentality and simplify the game for yourself. Remember why you loved watching sports as a kid, when you had no idea about player salaries and poor management practices. Back when all you wanted was to see your team win the game. Because even though you know a lot more now than you did as that little blissfully ignorant kid you once were, you have no more power to change anything. Go ahead and boycott the team. You'll be back.

You're right...

Would he be as prissy in the corners as Vanek? 'Cause if so, I don't want him on my checking line.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Nice!

[SCBILLFAN1]

Maybe the problem is that we as fans become victims of information overload and we forgot how to just enjoy the game. Every time a player takes a crap there is some to report on what color it is and hundreds of opinions on what color we think it should be. Everyone wants to know what’s going on with player x and they need up to the second reports as if it’s life and death. Like if they found out a day later the whole world would come crashing down around them. Do we really need to know where every cent each player makes and every cent the team spends. What happened to simply enjoying the fact that you can go to a live game? The thrill of the playoff hunt. Perfectly set up plays and spectacular saves. The speed of the game and the puck handling skills of the players. I’ve watched this team since 1970 and will continue as long as the city they represent is Buffalo and God forbid they should ever leave, I’ll still watch the game. It’s a business to the owners and the players but to me it’s just a game. I’ll enjoy it, be entertained by it but will not get my colon in a knot over it. That’s for the business people to worry about.

So true. For some reason fans expect owners to spend everything they have so they can buy a championship. When they run the team like a business for profit people get pissed. The reason they can afford to own a team is because they run businesses for a profit, not by being a George Steinbrenner.

[noocllez]

So true. For some reason fans expect owners to spend everything they have so they can buy a championship. When they run the team like a business for profit people get pissed. The reason they can afford to own a team is because they run businesses for a profit, not by being a George Steinbrenner.

I respect your point (or agreement with another very good point) but remember this... there is a difference between making a profit and squeezing every last dime out of an organization by setting the budget as low as possible to preserve maximum profit margins. I feel like they have leaned more towards the latter. It's just my opinion, I still love our team and our chances this year to go deep with the addition of Rivet and hopefully Teppo. (I also love getting Goose signed for 4, but lets get Miller and Pommer tagged LONG, REALLY LONG-TERM)

I feel like a few people that have replied only bothered to read the first paragraph of my post, and not the last few... Where I detail my passion for this team and how I will always love them, NO MATTER WHO OWNS THEM OR HOW THEY OPERATE.

I think if we could get big-spending ownership with a lot of passion (Ala Balsille) for the game and a major interest in producing a Cup Winner, WHILE GUARANTEEING NOT TO "EVER" MOVE THE TEAM... I would be all for it and I think us as fans would be really happy to finally have an ownership group that wants to give the team the best possible chance it can have to win it all. Who wouldn't love to see that in Buffalo??? You'd be crazy not to... I'm not saying I'd like to see an ownership group go spending crazy on crap talent (cough... Rags... cough...) and career-tailing-off players. But a smart spender with passion for winning a Cup.

That's all.

~Jr
Brooklyn

[anEinherjer]

Dear noocllez,

Yes.

With love,

anEinherjer.

p.s. "Bare in mind"? The thought of a nekkid Brooklynite sends a chill down my spine.

[anEinherjer]

I respect your point (or agreement with another very good point) but remember this... there is a difference between making a profit and squeezing every last dime out of an organization by setting the budget as low as possible to preserve maximum profit margins. I feel like they have leaned more towards the latter. It's just my opinion, I still love our team and our chances this year to go deep with the addition of Rivet and hopefully Teppo. (I also love getting Goose signed for 4, but lets get Miller and Pommer tagged LONG, REALLY LONG-TERM)

On a slightly less flippant note: They lost money for DECADES. The Knox brothers just did it for fun, not money. Sorry, but it's a business and must be treated as such.

The budget is NOWHERE NEAR as low as possible (see my point in the Canes d-man thread that their budget is lower than ours!).

They do not continually up ticket prices to level unsupportable in Buffalo. They never forced us to PPV to watch our games (hello, Chicago), and in fact, all us Time-Warner suckers get many HD games for nothing extra.

Stop painting the team as a bunch of skin-flints, it's just not true.

[stafford669]

Listen i adopted this team as my team in 1992 and been a fan ever since,i live in montreal and feel in love with play of pat lafontaine as a sabre.I bleed blue and gold and hate the hab nots,who i believe will take a step back this year.wHILE i dont always agree with management and think larry quinn a doushbag,i will never turn my back on the greatest sports franchise in pro sports because as sabres fans we have a passion like no other franchise and when the day when rick jenneret calls the stanley cup winning goal,will that guy still be boycotting the team.

[FamousAmos]

The level of respect this front office (and I'm not talking about poor Darcy) has shown its players, personnel and fans has seriously made me ponder my loyalty to this franchise. Bare in mind, this is not the franchise that once flourished under the reign of The Knox Brothers, this is a completely different business, or company, if you will.

This organization has shown time and time again (since its acquisition by Tom Golisano) that it chooses the operational schematic that of a corporation, always choosing in favor of a higher yield in profits, and not that of long term success or passion.

Since I can remember, since the first time I put ice skates on in my grandfathers frozen-over backyard in Buffalo, I have been a die-hard Buffalo Sabres fan (25+ years now). Through success and failure I have always stuck by my team. I live in NYC now, imagine how easy it would be for me to turn my back and become a Rangers fan? With all the player acquisition activity, local advertisement and proactive involvement you would think it'd be easy. Not so, I would never root for a team other than my own, the one I fell in love with since before I can remember. You could beat me half to death with a hockey stick and I would never shift my loyalty to another team.

But still, I wonder why we all still love this team so much which has given us so little in return. Not the players, not the coaches, but the people who take our hard earned money through ticket and merchandise sales, television network contracts and all the other loopholes they've instituted to squeeze another buck out of our pockets.

I'll still rep our men in blue and gold, but I refuse to support a corporation that continues to swindle its (low-income marketed) fans and supporters. Not until they prove to us otherwise that we matter, as fans and ultimately the people who pay their bills, buy their lavish homes and fuel their road-hogging SUV's.

Rant over.

~Jr
Brooklyn

You're a grown man. Most of us here, are. Why do you car about what other people think of you?

or

Why is other people's perception of you (on this board I guess) mean so much to you?

It says it in your thread title: Am I a bad fan...?

You're looking for confirmation from other fans that what you feel now is the correct choice, or at least, the most acceptable choice among Sabres fans.

Jr., from Brooklyn, I couldn't give a flying **** if you stopped supporting the Sabres' organization (the front office).

But, if you're trying to sell your opinion based on whether or not your a bad fan for thinking this way, it's the wrong way to go.

Why? Because if, say I agree with you, if I agree with your opinion, now I am forced to ask myself if I am a bad fan or not.

I'm not interested in categorizing myself just because I think Larry Quinn is a dolt.

Why can't you just watch the games on TV? Nobody is forcing you to purchase Sabres merchandise or assert your fandom in NYC to other non-Sabres fans. That's up to you.

That won't be a measurement of how much of a fan you are. It's ****ing arbitrary. Do what you got to do.

But don't pull me or anyone else into being a good or bad fan based on our opinions of the front office.

You're just going to start a huge ****ing argument based on Sabres' fandom:
for example

If you don't buy tickets to a game and see them in person, does that make you a bad fan?

if you don't buy your favorite player's jersey, does that make you a bad fan?

and so forth. You're going to create a benchmark for people here to establish how big of a fan they are and then use that to judge other people.

But then again, if you don't care what other people think of you, none of this matters.

Jr, I think you're a terrific fan! Keep it up!

[FamousAmos]

I could care less what you do... you are grown up and do not need my or anyone else's permission

I'm sorry, I didn't read far enough, only the first post, and then I responded. You said what i said but far more politely!

[FamousAmos]

Maybe the problem is that we as fans become victims of information overload and we forgot how to just enjoy the game. Every time a player takes a crap there is some to report on what color it is and hundreds of opinions on what color we think it should be. Everyone wants to know what’s going on with player x and they need up to the second reports as if it’s life and death. Like if they found out a day later the whole world would come crashing down around them. Do we really need to know where every cent each player makes and every cent the team spends. What happened to simply enjoying the fact that you can go to a live game? The thrill of the playoff hunt. Perfectly set up plays and spectacular saves. The speed of the game and the puck handling skills of the players. I’ve watched this team since 1970 and will continue as long as the city they represent is Buffalo and God forbid they should ever leave, I’ll still watch the game. It’s a business to the owners and the players but to me it’s just a game. I’ll enjoy it, be entertained by it but will not get my colon in a knot over it. That’s for the business people to worry about.

well said!

[noocllez]

You're a grown man. Most of us here, are. Why do you car about what other people think of you?

or

Why is other people's perception of you (on this board I guess) mean so much to you?

It says it in your thread title: Am I a bad fan...?

You're looking for confirmation from other fans that what you feel now is the correct choice, or at least, the most acceptable choice among Sabres fans.

Jr., from Brooklyn, I couldn't give a flying **** if you stopped supporting the Sabres' organization (the front office).

But, if you're trying to sell your opinion based on whether or not your a bad fan for thinking this way, it's the wrong way to go.

Why? Because if, say I agree with you, if I agree with your opinion, now I am forced to ask myself if I am a bad fan or not.

I'm not interested in categorizing myself just because I think Larry Quinn is a dolt.

Why can't you just watch the games on TV? Nobody is forcing you to purchase Sabres merchandise or assert your fandom in NYC to other non-Sabres fans. That's up to you.

That won't be a measurement of how much of a fan you are. It's ****ing arbitrary. Do what you got to do.

But don't pull me or anyone else into being a good or bad fan based on our opinions of the front office.

You're just going to start a huge ****ing argument based on Sabres' fandom:
for example

If you don't buy tickets to a game and see them in person, does that make you a bad fan?

if you don't buy your favorite player's jersey, does that make you a bad fan?

and so forth. You're going to create a benchmark for people here to establish how big of a fan they are and then use that to judge other people.

But then again, if you don't care what other people think of you, none of this matters.

Jr, I think you're a terrific fan! Keep it up!

Sir, it's just the title of a rant. Not a serious question or inquiry as to whether or not anyone gives a shat if someone is going to actually boycott the team. My post is more of a statement than anything else. I think a lot of people actually feel the same way after the way things have been handled over the course of the last two years. Otherwise, I would have kept my mouth shut. Judging from the majority of replies, I think most people feel the same... and just like myself, will continue to remain loyal to our team until the day we die (or they get shipped off to another market).

That's all...

~Jr
Brooklyn

Oh, the only reason I moved from Buffalo (3-4 years ago) was because I'm in software, and if you know anything about the economics in Buffalo or the availability of software gigs... You'd understand why. In about a year or two I'll be purchasing a new home back in Amherst, NY. I know a good place to raise a family when I see one ; )

You guys are great and give me the good ol' Buffalo Sabres / Bar Conversation (and sometimes argument) that I miss so much from not living there any more. Cheers and Respect!

[bundtm11]

No offense, I think your a bad fan if you boycott the sabres. Stick with them. The sabres were still young last year and have potentia. Montreal was 10th 2 years ago and didn't make any moves. Then they finished first. The sabres have potential. I see them 6th to 8th in the east next year. Remember Darcy always does this. 1998 and 1999 conference finals and stanley cup. He then got rid of people and reloaded to make the conference finals in 2006 and 2007. He's building on his young guys and he'll get us back there. He's a small ball guy. Have faith. Plus, we only missed the playoffs by 4 points last year. Don't you think your being hard to boycott a franchise that has only missed the playoffs 4 times in the last 12 years?

[CBennett]

Tom Golisano may not be the perfect owner - but if not for him we might not have a team. He is committed to keeping the Sabres in Buffalo... that shows some respect for us as fans and I appreciate that. So it's not a total corporate sellout situation.

I agree, and disagree...so far its been a mixed bag. Pre lockout crap Sabres then 2 years of playoffs and then last years bungling and no playoffs...if he is going to try and heep the Sabres a playoff team then im 100% for him but if he is going to only try to turn a profit and have a poor to mediocre team year after year(which i DONT THINK IS HAPPENING) then by all means let them move..I think if the Sabres are here in Buffalo and are a quality team great..but if its going to be one of those the Sabres are here but rarely make the playoffs or are just bad then let them go..I could care less about supporting/going to games of a crappy team(like I said thats not happened yet) but it seems like some Praise Gollisano for "saving" the team..they DONT care what kind of hockey is in Buffalo just as long as there is hockey in Buffalo..I guess im the opposite..im happy if there is a COMPETITIVE team in Buffalo but if its not going to be competative IMO they can just move them..I will go to see a playoff/cup worthy team. I wont pay a cent to see a 1/2 ass mediocre team...

[3LH]

I agree, and disagree...so far its been a mixed bag. Pre lockout crap Sabres then 2 years of playoffs and then last years bungling and no playoffs...if he is going to try and heep the Sabres a playoff team then im 100% for him but if he is going to only try to turn a profit and have a poor to mediocre team year after year(which i DONT THINK IS HAPPENING) then by all means let them move..I think if the Sabres are here in Buffalo and are a quality team great..but if its going to be one of those the Sabres are here but rarely make the playoffs or are just bad then let them go..I could care less about supporting/going to games of a crappy team(like I said thats not happened yet) but it seems like some Praise Gollisano for "saving" the team..they DONT care what kind of hockey is in Buffalo just as long as there is hockey in Buffalo..I guess im the opposite..im happy if there is a COMPETITIVE team in Buffalo but if its not going to be competative IMO they can just move them..I will go to see a playoff/cup worthy team. I wont pay a cent to see a 1/2 ass mediocre team...

Well, even last year the team was competitive. As far as I'm concerned, with the new salary cap (and floor) there is not really any excuse for not having a team that is at least competitive. The playoff race at the end of last season in the East is a good example…. we saw how many teams were battling for the playoffs.

More and more depends on quality scouting, quality coaching, and a quality GM. You can’t just buy a Cup – and conversely, you can’t just spend nothing… even if you are “rebuilding”, so you might as well be as smart as you can with the money that you have to spend. I think for these reasons, the Sabres can be consistently competitive in the salary cap era because of good scouting and developing players in the Sabres' system, good coaching (pigpen might disagree) and because we have a GM that seems to have a good grasp of the realities of the salary cap NHL.

With all of that said, I have no idea what the hell the Leafs are doing.

[polgard]

You can do what you want, but why would you boycott the team and add fuel to this alleged fire? If Buffalo is such a bad place to play because of the management, you're only proving that this is true. IMO, the bright spots for this franchise are the fans. If the fans turn their backs on the team, we're just proving the nay-sayers right.

[jlpubarch]

The level of respect this front office (and I'm not talking about poor Darcy) has shown its players, personnel and fans has seriously made me ponder my loyalty to this franchise. Bare in mind, this is not the franchise that once flourished under the reign of The Knox Brothers, this is a completely different business, or company, if you will.

This organization has shown time and time again (since its acquisition by Tom Golisano) that it chooses the operational schematic that of a corporation, always choosing in favor of a higher yield in profits, and not that of long term success or passion.

Since I can remember, since the first time I put ice skates on in my grandfathers frozen-over backyard in Buffalo, I have been a die-hard Buffalo Sabres fan (25+ years now). Through success and failure I have always stuck by my team. I live in NYC now, imagine how easy it would be for me to turn my back and become a Rangers fan? With all the player acquisition activity, local advertisement and proactive involvement you would think it'd be easy. Not so, I would never root for a team other than my own, the one I fell in love with since before I can remember. You could beat me half to death with a hockey stick and I would never shift my loyalty to another team.

But still, I wonder why we all still love this team so much which has given us so little in return. Not the players, not the coaches, but the people who take our hard earned money through ticket and merchandise sales, television network contracts and all the other loopholes they've instituted to squeeze another buck out of our pockets.

I'll still rep our men in blue and gold, but I refuse to support a corporation that continues to swindle its (low-income marketed) fans and supporters. Not until they prove to us otherwise that we matter, as fans and ultimately the people who pay their bills, buy their lavish homes and fuel their road-hogging SUV's.

Rant over.

~Jr
Brooklyn

If you boycott the organization, you're not a 'good' fan OR a 'bad' fan...

You're simply not a fan of any type, because in order to boycott it, you'll have to throw away all your gear, never watch games, and never look at boxscores.

[rockydm92]

The level of respect this front office (and I'm not talking about poor Darcy) has shown its players, personnel and fans has seriously made me ponder my loyalty to this franchise. Bare in mind, this is not the franchise that once flourished under the reign of The Knox Brothers, this is a completely different business, or company, if you will.

This organization has shown time and time again (since its acquisition by Tom Golisano) that it chooses the operational schematic that of a corporation, always choosing in favor of a higher yield in profits, and not that of long term success or passion.

Since I can remember, since the first time I put ice skates on in my grandfathers frozen-over backyard in Buffalo, I have been a die-hard Buffalo Sabres fan (25+ years now). Through success and failure I have always stuck by my team. I live in NYC now, imagine how easy it would be for me to turn my back and become a Rangers fan? With all the player acquisition activity, local advertisement and proactive involvement you would think it'd be easy. Not so, I would never root for a team other than my own, the one I fell in love with since before I can remember. You could beat me half to death with a hockey stick and I would never shift my loyalty to another team.

But still, I wonder why we all still love this team so much which has given us so little in return. Not the players, not the coaches, but the people who take our hard earned money through ticket and merchandise sales, television network contracts and all the other loopholes they've instituted to squeeze another buck out of our pockets.

I'll still rep our men in blue and gold, but I refuse to support a corporation that continues to swindle its (low-income marketed) fans and supporters. Not until they prove to us otherwise that we matter, as fans and ultimately the people who pay their bills, buy their lavish homes and fuel their road-hogging SUV's.

Rant over.

~Jr
Brooklyn

nicely done!!! can't disagree with anything you said!!!

[Schony]

Well here's a different spin on the question.....am I a bad fan if I cancel my season's tickets? I've been a hockey fan all my life, a diehard Sabres fan since 1972 and a season ticket holder since 1997. No question I've been lucky enough to be able to afford this luxury and have by and large enjoyed my time a ST holder.....even through the dark post Hasek, no playoff years and even though I was paying for my tickets with 60 cent Canadian dollars for a while there. But..I was there when the Sabres lost in OT to Washington to end the season in 98, lost in OT to lose the cup in 99, lost in OT to end the season against Pittsburgh in 01 and again the Ottawa burnout last year. Cripes I even went to Raleigh for Game 1 of the ECF in 06. Never could get over the top but every year I've been coming back thinking this could be the season however I'm beginning to question if that is the case anymore. I have really begun to wonder whether, as has been suggested already in this thread that management/ownership cares as much as I do. I could live with missing the playoffs a few years back when the Leafs and others were spending 80 million in salaries and had 24 players on their playoff rosters.....I always felt we were the little team who could pull off an upset and make the big spending teams look stupid. Through good trading and good luck we ended up with that magical team in 05-06...coulda, woulda, shoulda won it all and boy was it fun. Where are they now and what could have been done to keep it togther or push it over the top - we all know thats been hashed to death but....the current CBA does allow teams to be more even than before - its the business plan of the organization that makes the level uneven. Are we even better now than we were last season? No more size (-Bernier?), no more veteran presense (-Teppo, Pratt - didn't consider signing Peca at 1.3?), probably better in goal....but are we really a playoff team? I know it may not be finalized yet but I don't see that there is a plan. I agree that Golisano can run the team as a bottom line business if he wants, but he has also made maybe 100 million on paper with the incresed value of the team. I've been a good fan ..I've got sabres jackets, shirts, jerseys etc..etc...and no matter how well they play will always watch and cheer for the Sabres on TV...but I am questioning my $3000 expediture on tickets and I worry many other ST holders may be considering the same issue....if these numbers drop significantly again who knows what will happen....don't say it can't - we were down to around 7,000 before the lockout and the economy is a load worse now than it was then.

[Bay Side]

Nice!!
Well here's a different spin on the question.....am I a bad fan if I cancel my season's tickets? I've been a hockey fan all my life, a diehard Sabres fan since 1972 and a season ticket holder since 1997. No question I've been lucky enough to be able to afford this luxury and have by and large enjoyed my time a ST holder.....even through the dark post Hasek, no playoff years and even though I was paying for my tickets with 60 cent Canadian dollars for a while there. But..I was there when the Sabres lost in OT to Washington to end the season in 98, lost in OT to lose the cup in 99, lost in OT to end the season against Pittsburgh in 01 and again the Ottawa burnout last year. Cripes I even went to Raleigh for Game 1 of the ECF in 06. Never could get over the top but every year I've been coming back thinking this could be the season however I'm beginning to question if that is the case anymore. I have really begun to wonder whether, as has been suggested already in this thread that management/ownership cares as much as I do. I could live with missing the playoffs a few years back when the Leafs and others were spending 80 million in salaries and had 24 players on their playoff rosters.....I always felt we were the little team who could pull off an upset and make the big spending teams look stupid. Through good trading and good luck we ended up with that magical team in 05-06...coulda, woulda, shoulda won it all and boy was it fun. Where are they now and what could have been done to keep it togther or push it over the top - we all know thats been hashed to death but....the current CBA does allow teams to be more even than before - its the business plan of the organization that makes the level uneven. Are we even better now than we were last season? No more size (-Bernier?), no more veteran presense (-Teppo, Pratt - didn't consider signing Peca at 1.3?), probably better in goal....but are we really a playoff team? I know it may not be finalized yet but I don't see that there is a plan. I agree that Golisano can run the team as a bottom line business if he wants, but he has also made maybe 100 million on paper with the incresed value of the team. I've been a good fan ..I've got sabres jackets, shirts, jerseys etc..etc...and no matter how well they play will always watch and cheer for the Sabres on TV...but I am questioning my $3000 expediture on tickets and I worry many other ST holders may be considering the same issue....if these numbers drop significantly again who knows what will happen....don't say it can't - we were down to around 7,000 before the lockout and the economy is a load worse now than it was then.

[noocllez]

Well here's a different spin on the question.....am I a bad fan if I cancel my season's tickets? I've been a hockey fan all my life, a diehard Sabres fan since 1972 and a season ticket holder since 1997. No question I've been lucky enough to be able to afford this luxury and have by and large enjoyed my time a ST holder.....even through the dark post Hasek, no playoff years and even though I was paying for my tickets with 60 cent Canadian dollars for a while there. But..I was there when the Sabres lost in OT to Washington to end the season in 98, lost in OT to lose the cup in 99, lost in OT to end the season against Pittsburgh in 01 and again the Ottawa burnout last year. Cripes I even went to Raleigh for Game 1 of the ECF in 06. Never could get over the top but every year I've been coming back thinking this could be the season however I'm beginning to question if that is the case anymore. I have really begun to wonder whether, as has been suggested already in this thread that management/ownership cares as much as I do. I could live with missing the playoffs a few years back when the Leafs and others were spending 80 million in salaries and had 24 players on their playoff rosters.....I always felt we were the little team who could pull off an upset and make the big spending teams look stupid. Through good trading and good luck we ended up with that magical team in 05-06...coulda, woulda, shoulda won it all and boy was it fun. Where are they now and what could have been done to keep it togther or push it over the top - we all know thats been hashed to death but....the current CBA does allow teams to be more even than before - its the business plan of the organization that makes the level uneven. Are we even better now than we were last season? No more size (-Bernier?), no more veteran presense (-Teppo, Pratt - didn't consider signing Peca at 1.3?), probably better in goal....but are we really a playoff team? I know it may not be finalized yet but I don't see that there is a plan. I agree that Golisano can run the team as a bottom line business if he wants, but he has also made maybe 100 million on paper with the incresed value of the team. I've been a good fan ..I've got sabres jackets, shirts, jerseys etc..etc...and no matter how well they play will always watch and cheer for the Sabres on TV...but I am questioning my $3000 expediture on tickets and I worry many other ST holders may be considering the same issue....if these numbers drop significantly again who knows what will happen....don't say it can't - we were down to around 7,000 before the lockout and the economy is a load worse now than it was then.

Great point, and well said.

[Dockwalliper]

We have some of the lowest ticket prices in the league. Going to spend $50 million on players. If TG wanted to maximize his profits he would have sold the team and there would be no Buffalo Sabres.