PDA

View Full Version : Amerks affiliation toast?


Jim Bob
February 11th, 2003, 9:08:35 AM
http://www.rochesterdandc.com/sports/general/0211story3_general.shtml

Amerks Chief Executive Officer Steve Donner recognizes the geographical and promotional benefits of working with the Sabres. He would be reluctant to end the affiliation but also realizes the current situation is intolerable. If Paychex CEO B. Thomas Golisano doesn't purchase the Sabres, Donner says the affiliation is doomed.


http://www.rochesterdandc.com/sports/amerks/0211story1_amerks.shtml

The Buffalo Sabres have, for the most part, ignored Rochester even though their farm team plays here, a mistake that, according to Rochester Americans Chief Executive Officer Steve Donner, has contributed to the Sabres' financial plight.

"One of the biggest mistakes the Sabres have made over the last 10 years is that their marketing efforts in Rochester have been on a token basis," Donner said. "We had the ability to bring them in for training camp long before the Bills thought of coming here, it just never happened."

If B. Thomas Golisano buys the Sabres, Donner thinks the Irondequoit native and chief executive of Paychex Inc. will make it a priority to market the Sabres in the Rochester area, which would benefit not only the Sabres but also the Amerks.

"I think one of Tom?s initial visions was to eventually find a way to link the two organizations together as one organization," Donner said. "Assuming he is successful keeping the Sabres in town, we'd like to strengthen the ties between Rochester and Buffalo and really market hockey in western New York on a much wider basis."

Jim Bob
February 11th, 2003, 10:22:51 AM
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20030211/1019251.asp

On a somewhat related note, Sullivan suggests that if Golisano buys the Sabres that Donner may be the next Sabres President.

Sideshow Bob
February 11th, 2003, 11:01:21 AM
Originally posted by Jim Bob

On a somewhat related note, Sullivan suggests that if Golisano buys the Sabres that Donner may be the next Sabres President.

This would be a great hire. Donner has seen and experienced all of the marketing mistakes and challenges. Where would this leave Quinn? I thought he was part of the Golisano team?

The REAL Sabres
February 11th, 2003, 11:04:51 AM
According to the articles, this would only be if Golisano doesn't win the bid for the Sabres.

Jim Bob
February 11th, 2003, 11:22:30 AM
Originally posted by Sideshow Bob
This would be a great hire. Donner has seen and experienced all of the marketing mistakes and challenges. Where would this leave Quinn? I thought he was part of the Golisano team?

It's better than Quinn, but I'm not so sure about how great the hire would be.

Donner hasn't figured out how to market a bad team in Rochester, so I have a feeling he'd still have some struggles in Buffalo in that regard.

Unless he can convince Tom to spend like a drunken sailor on shore leave.

LALAFONTAINE
February 11th, 2003, 12:13:22 PM
Originally posted by Jim Bob
It's better than Quinn, but I'm not so sure about how great the hire would be.

Donner hasn't figured out how to market a bad team in Rochester, so I have a feeling he'd still have some struggles in Buffalo in that regard.

Unless he can convince Tom to spend like a drunken sailor on shore leave.

If the Sabres offer their fans free booze and whores, they will sell out big time!

Sideshow Bob
February 11th, 2003, 4:29:37 PM
Originally posted by Jim Bob
It's better than Quinn, but I'm not so sure about how great the hire would be.

Donner hasn't figured out how to market a bad team in Rochester, so I have a feeling he'd still have some struggles in Buffalo in that regard.

Unless he can convince Tom to spend like a drunken sailor on shore leave.

Well, I have yet to find anyone who can consistently market a bad team.

If Donner was to join the Golisano camp, it would open up regionalization opportunities. Reuniting the Amerks with Sabres under one ownership group would encourage them to put a quality product on the ice in Rochester to promote Buffalo when the players move to the "big show."

As far as opening up the checkbook, that's not nearly as necessary as drafting/acquiring some quality players. New Jersey and Minnesota are good examples of how you can succeed w/o huge payrolls. The Rangers are a perfect example that the hockey budget doens't determine the success rate.