Hey Terry, Do Us A Favor and SELL

[Jim Bob]

Pegula has certain stipulations under his lease.

I also don't believe the buyer's agreement has a clause in the lease to keep the team in Buffalo in perpetuity. Zero chance. There has to be outs. Anyone stupid enough to sign such a lease would box themselves in with the landlord which I guess is Erie County. It would be tough to negotiate when everybody knows you can never move the team. Only the dumbest negotiator in the world would sign that

It isn't a part of the lease. It was part of the sale from Golisano to Pegula.

BTG was all about maintaining the Sabres in Buffalo. That was why he bought the team in the first place. And that was a huge priority when he sold the team to Pegula.

And Pegula being a big Sabres fan who married a WNY woman, he had no issue with that stipulation in the sale.

My guess is that IF Terry were to sell (and I honestly cannot imagine he ever would), he would require the next owner to commit to keeping the team in Buffalo, as well.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

It isn't a part of the lease. It was part of the sale from Golisano to Pegula.

BTG was all about maintaining the Sabres in Buffalo. That was why he bought the team in the first place. And that was a huge priority when he sold the team to Pegula.

And Pegula being a big Sabres fan who married a WNY woman, he had no issue with that stipulation in the sale.

My guess is that IF Terry were to sell (and I honestly cannot imagine he ever would), he would require the next owner to commit to keeping the team in Buffalo, as well.

I read somewhere else that fixing the roof is a tenant responsibility. My understanding is Erie County owns the rink.

People say his agreement was that he had to keep the team in Buffalo, but I'm guessing, like most of these types of deals, there are certain timelines and outs on it that promise to keep a team in place. Nobody in the media seems to have any knowledge of what that agreement actually stated at the time and whether it persists. Comments are in generalities.

My guess is the friction point for the Sabres staying in town will be over the arena being renovated and who pays for it. I don't think it has to be super fancy, and whoever foots the bill can probably come up with a scaled-down reno for under $50 million unless there are structural issues. It's only 30+ years old, so it should be in relatively decent shape. Lots of other rinks from that vintage are great. The Florida arena was built in 1998 and while the location is questionable, the arena is absolutely amazing. For all the fuss about Ottawa, that rink is pretty nice, too. I don't see major major issues with KeyBank.

At the end of the day, Pegula is 72, and it is easy to see him sticking with the franchise for another decade. One kid seems to be involved in it to some degree. Why would he sell? His financial pressures during the pandemic, mostly liquidity issues and not wealth, are gone.

Is he committed to Buffalo? Probably, but everyone has their price. If he could move the franchise to Southern Ontario (he likely can't) and double its value, I could see him doing that. It's just the way billionaires work sometimes.

 

[TehDoak]

 

[Jim Bob]

I read somewhere else that fixing the roof is a tenant responsibility. My understanding is Erie County owns the rink.

People say his agreement was that he had to keep the team in Buffalo, but I'm guessing, like most of these types of deals, there are certain timelines and outs on it that promise to keep a team in place. Nobody in the media seems to have any knowledge of what that agreement actually stated at the time and whether it persists. Comments are in generalities.

My guess is the friction point for the Sabres staying in town will be over the arena being renovated and who pays for it. I don't think it has to be super fancy, and whoever foots the bill can probably come up with a scaled-down reno for under $50 million unless there are structural issues. It's only 30+ years old, so it should be in relatively decent shape. Lots of other rinks from that vintage are great. The Florida arena was built in 1998 and while the location is questionable, the arena is absolutely amazing. For all the fuss about Ottawa, that rink is pretty nice, too. I don't see major major issues with KeyBank.

At the end of the day, Pegula is 72, and it is easy to see him sticking with the franchise for another decade. One kid seems to be involved in it to some degree. Why would he sell? His financial pressures during the pandemic, mostly liquidity issues and not wealth, are gone.

Is he committed to Buffalo? Probably, but everyone has their price. If he could move the franchise to Southern Ontario (he likely can't) and double its value, I could see him doing that. It's just the way billionaires work sometimes.

Golisano's Sale Of Sabres To Pegula Includes Provision That Team Cannot Move

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

I do not subscribe, but maybe this has some more information on the timeframe for the non-movement clause in the sale.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Golisano's Sale Of Sabres To Pegula Includes Provision That Team Cannot Move

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

I do not subscribe, but maybe this has some more information on the timeframe for the non-movement clause in the sale.

I do not doubt the information that the sale included a clause on not being allowed to move the team, but I would be shocked if it was a blanket promise. That went on forever. That would be an insane contract to sign. What if you have nowhere to eventually play? Mike Harrington has continued to push this point, but like most of his reporting, it is just yelling at any subscriber who asks for more details, and he's just satisfied to repeat limited information fed to him and wait for someone from around the league with better contacts to reveal more information.

"The Sabres' lease with the county for KeyBank Center runs through 2022." Found this online. They must have signed a new lease.

I'm sure someone can ferret this out of Erie County filings. It might be public information.

Another news story online:

"According to the county, the current lease with the Sabres runs through October 2027."

 

[Jim Bob]

I do not doubt the information that the sale included a clause on not being allowed to move the team, but I would be shocked if it was a blanket promise. That went on forever. That would be an insane contract to sign. What if you have nowhere to eventually play? Mike Harrington has continued to push this point, but like most of his reporting, it is just yelling at any subscriber who asks for more details, and he's just satisfied to repeat limited information fed to him and wait for someone from around the league with better contacts to reveal more information.

"The Sabres' lease with the county for KeyBank Center runs through 2022." Found this online. They must have signed a new lease.

I'm sure someone can ferret this out of Erie County filings. It might be public information.

Another news story online:

"According to the county, the current lease with the Sabres runs through October 2027."

My guess is that the non-relocation clause was either tied to a specific timeframe or was for the Pegula ownership of the team or perhaps as long as the Pegula ownership and whomever they sold the franchise to.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

My guess is that the non-relocation clause was either tied to a specific timeframe or was for the Pegula ownership of the team or perhaps as long as the Pegula ownership and whomever they sold the franchise to.

I would pick a time frame or contingent on some type of lease agreement being available. I would bet an out exists. It doesn't matter Sabres are not moving. The threat will eventually get tossed out until they get what they want in an arena. A news story says the current lease expires in 2027, so expect things to heat up. It will get resolved and taxpayers will get a bill.

 

[Montag DP]

This was the year they finally lost me. I've barely watched a game. Canceled my ESPN+ subscription for next year. They're similar to the Bills for me now -- if they get good again at some point, I might regain some level of interest, but I'm not going to care otherwise. Kind of sad because this team has had a spot in my heart since I was in elementary school back in the Hasek days, but being a hardcore fan has been nothing but pain and empty hope since 2007. I simply decided that there are much more fulfilling things I can be spending my time on.

 

[HogtownSabresfan]

Thank G-d Pegula got to keep his favourite player Girgensons. I don't believe, even for a second, that at a 50% retention, Girgensons isn't tradeable for a 7th. If he isn't, Buffalo's judgement of talent and contracts looks very bad.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

This was the year they finally lost me. I've barely watched a game. Canceled my ESPN+ subscription for next year. They're similar to the Bills for me now -- if they get good again at some point, I might regain some level of interest, but I'm not going to care otherwise. Kind of sad because this team has had a spot in my heart since I was in elementary school back in the Hasek days, but being a hardcore fan has been nothing but pain and empty hope since 2007. I simply decided that there are much more fulfilling things I can be spending my time on.

Great decision. I really regret wasting so much time on this this year. I hope to be able to wean myself off of this team as well.

I literally hate every forward we have except for Quinn, and he's hurt more often than not.

 

[Montag DP]

Great decision. I really regret wasting so much time on this this year. I hope to be able to wean myself off of this team as well.

I literally hate every forward we have except for Quinn, and he's hurt more often than not.

I think what happened was that I simply lost hope. Every offseason I've been optimistic that we are on the upswing and can finally start to be good. We were one point away from the playoffs last year with a young team that looked to be improving. For some reason, yet another disappointing year was just the last straw for me mentally.

 

[Tatanka]

My guess is that the non-relocation clause was either tied to a specific timeframe or was for the Pegula ownership of the team or perhaps as long as the Pegula ownership and whomever they sold the franchise to.

Didn’t read the article, don’t know if they touched on it, but the NHL board of govs also have to approve any sale. At the time I learned from sources I trust who are wired to the Jacobs family that the league was already thinking about expansion and allowing relocation would drive down expansion fees. At the time the Sabres were 300/400 million. The latest expansion fees are a billion. Allowing SLC to buy and move the Sabres for a discount on the Billion would not be met well. Also, the league does not share in an acquisition fee. That goes to the seller. So if he sold, I do not think relocation is automatic. If the franchise is stuck in WNY it isn’t as valuable due to limited market.

 

[TheStorm]

I think what happened was that I simply lost hope. Every offseason I've been optimistic that we are on the upswing and can finally start to be good. We were one point away from the playoffs last year with a young team that looked to be improving. For some reason, yet another disappointing year was just the last straw for me mentally.

The year before Eichel got traded did it for me

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

This team will never be good until Pegula is no longer involved with hockey decisions or sells the team...

Its literally been the same cycle over and over and over again.
-Every 2/3 years the GM and coach get fired (looks like thats gonna be the case with KA and Donny)
-We trade the best players in there prime because they want out for random throw ins and young prospects.
-We sign washed up vets for "experience" only to trade them away at the deadline for late picks

The whole league knows Buffalo is a complete gongshow of an organization... Players, agents, coaches don't want to be affiliated with this team. Hell I bet even GM's out of a job don't want to come here because they know they'll have to do what Terry says.

Its really ironic how this owner deemed Buffalo as "Hockey Heaven" and literally turned it into Hockey Hell

 

[Montag DP]

The year before Eichel got traded did it for me

I always convinced myself there was just some little problem we needed to fix before we could be good. Just need a good coach (okay, to be fair, we have had terrible coaches), just need to get decent goaltending, just need to get rid of players with a bad attitude, etc. I'm convinced now that the organization is just rotten, and it starts at the top. There's no accountability anywhere, and the owner is way too involved in hockey operations. We don't have a chance until Terry sells.

 

[TehDoak]

I always convinced myself there was just some little problem we needed to fix before we could be good. Just need a good coach (okay, to be fair, we have had terrible coaches), just need to get decent goaltending, just need to get rid of players with a bad attitude, etc. I'm convinced now that the organization is just rotten, and it starts at the top. There's no accountability anywhere, and the owner is way too involved in hockey operations. We don't have a chance until Terry sells.

It's no longer a matter of pointing to a single GM/coach/player as the problem.

After 13 years of no playoffs, the constant has been the Pegulas. And every GM reports the same thing. "I talk to Terry every day". Is that NORMAL owner behavior? I'm no expert on the GM/Owner dynamic, but I'm going to say it isn't. I'm sure owners check in at their own frequency, especially when there are problems. But daily is a bit much.

The Pegulas have never let someone run their hockey operations. They've gone out of their way to hire people with no experience so they can be the strongest voice in the room. And that voice simply doesn't know what they are doing.

They should look at the Bills and realize, they can be involved in the processes without owning the processes. Brandon Beane has made them feel welcome without giving them an iron grip on the team.

I don't need the Pegulas to sell the team, I need them to let the team be run like a normal hockey team. To hire someone with a depth of experience to oversea the sheparding of a talented roster to the playoffs by maximizing every available resource, like Terry promised the fans when he bought the team,

But, if you aren't going to do that, then yeah, find someone who will and wants to buy the team. Because this franchise has become a joke, and it started the day the Pegulas bought the team.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Just....PLEASE come to the realization that you can't run an NHL franchise and walk away...

 

[Jim Bob]

Just....PLEASE come to the realization that you can't run an NHL franchise and walk away...

I am with @TehDoak and think the issue is less about the Pegulas owning the team (the Bills and Bandits are doing just fine with the Pegulas as owners) and how much influence the Pegulas have on the hockey operations of the Sabres that is the issue.

They need to hire experienced, competent hockey people, give them the budget they need to do their job as best as possible, and then get the heck out of the way.

The challenge would be finding the right people to put at the top of the organization at this point.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

I am with @TehDoak and think the issue is less about the Pegulas owning the team (the Bills and Bandits are doing just fine with the Pegulas as owners) and how much influence the Pegulas have on the hockey operations of the Sabres that is the issue.

They need to hire experienced, competent hockey people, give them the budget they need to do their job as best as possible, and then get the heck out of the way.

The challenge would be finding the right people to put at the top of the organization at this point.

I am all for that outcome aswell but I find it hard to believe Terry will hire that right person...

I just see him hiring another yes man or just promoting Adams to PHO which would mean Terry is still involved

 

[Jim Bob]

I am all for that outcome aswell but I find it hard to believe Terry will hire that right person...

I just see him hiring another yes man or just promoting Adams to PHO which would mean Terry is still involved

I just do not see Terry selling the team. So, while I expect the status quo to remain, I think Terry stepping back is more likely than Terry selling the franchise in the next year or two.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

I just do not see Terry selling the team. So, while I expect the status quo to remain, I think Terry stepping back is more likely than Terry selling the franchise in the next year or two.

You're most likely right I just hope Terry actually will "step back" and let someone else completely run the show

 

[toddkaz]

 

[slip]

Tired of arrogant billionaires who think their expertise in one domain easily translates to expertise in others. After 13 years you’d think they’d get a f***ing clue.

 

[joshjull]

I am with @TehDoak and think the issue is less about the Pegulas owning the team (the Bills and Bandits are doing just fine with the Pegulas as owners) and how much influence the Pegulas have on the hockey operations of the Sabres that is the issue.

They need to hire experienced, competent hockey people, give them the budget they need to do their job as best as possible, and then get the heck out of the way.

The challenge would be finding the right people to put at the top of the organization at this point.

The Pegula influence has always been overblown. The few times he has gotten involved, it’s been obvious, clumsy and blown up in his face fairly quickly.

1) Impulsively hiring LaFontaine
2) Flat management structure with Krueger.

The irony about the flat management structure is that idea came from the Bills set up. Where McDermott and Beane both reporting directly to Pegula. He thought he had his McD for the Sabres in Krueger. It works for the Bills because they're good at their jobs and work well together. It was a complete mess with the Sabres because Krueger was horrible.

They have a president of hockey ops and GM set up in all but name with Adams/Karmanos.

 

[Ace]

Hey look who is back to share his intricate unsourced knowledge of the inner workings of an organization he doesn’t work for.

Tell us more about how money isn’t the issue. If you’re going to make shit up…at least play the f***ing hits.