There's been some talk lately about how Tanenbaum has discussed having Raptors game in Buffalo with New York state Senator Charles Schumer. Here's the initial report that was sparked from some comments made by Schumer: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>In a move to boost Western New York and expand the Toronto Raptors’ fan base, Sen. Charles E. Schumer and Buffalo News Publisher Stanford Lipsey are trying to woo the Raptors here for some preseason — and regular-season — games. Following efforts begun by Lipsey, Schumer spoke with Raptors Chairman Larry Tannenbaum about the possibility of bringing some National Basketball Association games to HSBC Arena as early as the fall of 2009. “They’re very eager about having some of their games played in Buffalo,” Schumer said Tuesday while in Wyoming County. Lipsey said the Raptors are “very interested, and I would expect us to get a preseason game in 2009.” How about regular-season games? “I wouldn’t say it’s done, but I think it’s on the table,” Schumer replied. The proposal comes five months after officials announced that the Buffalo Bills will play five regular-season and three preseason games in Toronto over the next five seasons. “What got me started on this idea was the Bills,” Lipsey explained.</div> <div align="center">Source: Buffalo News</div> Then Peddie responded about the prospect of playing regular season games there: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>An exhibition game or two? Maybe. But will the Toronto Raptors play regular-season games in Buffalo? No chance. “We’re not thinking home games. No, no, no, no. We’re not giving those up,” said Richard Peddie, president of Raptors owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. “We have our fan base here we want to service.” “We’re booked for this year and we’re probably in the process of being booked for next year,” Peddie said. “We like to take those games coast to coast, but that being said that [Buffalo] is a market that has been good to us and if the arena is right and the economics work, we’d look at it.” According to Schumer and Lipsey, the notion of having the Raptors play games in Buffalo came from conversations they had with MSLE chairman Larry Tanenbaum, who has been part of the effort to have the NFL’s Buffalo Bills play preseason and regular-season games at the Rogers Centre. Peddie said that bringing the Bills to Toronto did not necessarily translate into playing NBA games in Buffalo. “We know there is a relationship there, but really we have nothing to do with the Bills,” Peddie said.</div> <div align="center">Source: The Globe & Mail</div> Doug Smith chimed in: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Of all the cockamamie, dopey, idiotic things I’ve heard this week, the whole notion of the Raptors playing a regular season game in Buffalo would top the list. Exhibition games? Maybe. And, having seen 60 or so exhibition games over the years, they can play ‘em all in Buffalo for all I care. Regular season? Not a chance. Go back to saving the Bills.</div> <div align="center">Source: Toronto Star</div> And here's an opinion from Buffalo to complete the circle: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>So it only makes sense that the Toronto Raptors would want to bring some NBA games to Buffalo to show their gratitude for the fact Buffalo will be loaning T-O the Bills for a few games, right? Well, the answer is both yes and no on that one, as I see it. From the Bills' perspective, they NEED to make inroads into Toronto's lucrative market to hopefully solidify their future in Buffalo even AR (after Ralph). Even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell jumped all over that concept recently, assuring Bills' fans the regionalization expansion northward is great for the Bills' future in Buffalo, and would by NO means auger the Bills eventual move up the QEW. It's almost surprising how many media folks in Canada picked up the Commish's words, and maybe it's my imagination, but there were some sighs of relief in parts of Canada where they still value the CFL as their own and something NOT American. But do the Raptors NEED to play a game or two in Buffalo? Certainly not for financial reasons. This past season, the Raptors averaged 19,435 a game at the Air Canada Centre, which is just under capacity and 9th-best in the NBA. In other words, the Raptors are doing quite well, thank you, and Forbes valued the franchise at $373 million a year ago, which is 14th highest in the NBA. The average ticket price is $54, so you can do the math. Sure, their payroll is a heavy one, in the mid-$50 million range and climbing, but the NBA enjoys huge tv revenues in addition to the tickets sold, so the Raptors are certainly in the black. Maybe it's Buffalo?s good fortune that Raptors chairman Larry Tanebaum seems to be becoming a fan of things Buffalo, at least in the words of New York Senator Charles Schumer. Schumer says he and Buffalo News publisher Stan Lipsey have talked with Tanebaum about the possibility of playing some pre-season and even regular season games in Buffalo, and the response was so positive Schumer is already predicting it will happen in the 2009-2010 season. Tanebaum was only slightly less positive when contacted by media in Canada, as he confirmed the talks with Schumer, but referred more to it as talks about pre-season games rather than actual regular season games. Still, wouldn't it just make good business sense from Tanebaum's perspective, having some exposure in Buffalo, which has all but turned its back on the NBA since being jilted by the Braves in the late 80's? Why wouldn't the Raptors like to see some young fans around Buffalo wearing Raptors shirts with Bosh and Calderon and Parker on the back? Remember Toronto, Buffalo didn't mind letting you get a close up look at our Braves back in the 70's for a few games, and that helped set the groundwork for the Raptors to eventually come on the scene in the mid 90's. I have no doubt at all Buffalo would sell out any regular season game involving the Raptors, so while it may only be a wash for the Raptors financially, they may more than make up for it in merchandise sales and good old fashioned good will. There is still some of that around, isn't there?</div> <div align="center">Source: WGRZ</div>
This was my favourite part (from the last article): <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I have no doubt at all Buffalo would sell out any regular season game involving the Raptors, so while it may only be a wash for the Raptors financially, they may more than make up for it in merchandise sales and good old fashioned good will. There is still some of that around, isn't there?</div> No. There isn't. Its just testament to how bad a shape Buffalo is in, when they're relying on "good will" to complete business decisions. The Raptors sure couldn't hurt to expand their fanbase into Western NY, but they sure as hell don't need to sacrifice home games to do that. Our franchise is in a stable, well-off position and doesn't need to take huge steps for the luxury of expanding our fanbase. I see the Raps dangling exhibition games in front of Buffalo, but not much else.
I don't think bringing the Raptors to Buffalo for some pre-season games is a bad idea, but no regular season. We have tons of fans across Canada and are hated by most Americans, and I'd like to keep it like that. I mean, to bring the Bills to Toronto is because they need money to save the franchise, but the Raptors franchise is doing just fine.
Shake's mom usually follows the team around and waits in the team bus for them ... Buffalo is a hole and i wouldn't want any of our players to have to see such ugliness. besides if they want to see rubes stuck in the '90's the we've got all of northern Ontario to play exhibition game in.
I'd try to check it out and I'm not even a Raptors fan. Not a whole lot else in the way of the NBA out here. We get the Knicks on TV, but if I want to see inferior basketball, I'd find a local JV high school team. Atleast in my neck of the woods (Southern Tier, about 90 minutes south of Buffalo), there's a great deal of passion for the game because of the college teams in the area and some solid high school teams as well.
