That Aud Smell

A post July 1 deal would be much more expensive, I reckon.

DIZZAM!

He’s probably not worth his cap hit. But I bet he’d be worth his actual salary (~$6.9M … *nice*).

A couple things: 1. I had a premonition that we haven’t heard “boo” since the press release because Terry and Kim are hoping that Kim will deliver a message via video recording as the next bit of news on her recovery. And that it’s taking some time to be ready to do that. 🤞 2. I hope that the passage of time means that she stabilized and, if necessary or advisable, was moved to a nearby major medical centre. That Boca hospital and its freely given ICU status leak did not inspire confidence.

I respect that. And I didn’t intend to pry. I do wonder why no one in the media is reporting new information on it. Like I said, maybe I need a crash course in what journo ethics prescribe in this sort of situation. As to your last point: Part of my thesis here is that if you have billions of dollars and buy a region’s most cherished institution, you surrender, in whole or in part, the anonymity you once had. To what extent you surrender it is a fair point of debate.

A prominent public figure. The fate of the Bills could ultimately be in the balance. Chief officer of a company that recently received nearly a billion dollars from the public fisc. It’s newsworthy. No one is being uncivil. There’s no new information.

“NTA” … And to think I was so magnanimous re your initial reply. I want to know something newsworthy. Something incredibly newsworthy. That’s my reason, and I’ll stick to it. ”Really wanting to know” would fall short if the matter weren’t so newsworthy and relevant to matters of public interest. But it is, on both counts. I got started on this because I didn’t like that Graham acknowledged in his tweet that he wasn’t going to push the matter because, as I read his statement, he didn’t want to be blackballed by PSE. I do see the other side of the matter — that even the most public figures may be entitled to privacy in such circumstances — a privacy that includes the press/media standing down. We’re having a discussion.

This mostly captures it - albeit imperfectly. It would probably do one of 2 things with regard a matter of public concern and interest: Dispel a gnawing fear, or tend to confirm it. Either way, I'd have some closure on the issue and hopefully move on from it.

For you it is. I haven't asked for either of those things. That's not for you to say. Well, I'm definitely being nosy. But not just nosy. Not gratuitously so. No, sir.

This is a fair counterpoint. More than fair. I think I'm being a bit of a jerk about this, tbh. But maybe not a total jackass? AITA? I just really want to know what's going on - at a high level, no details. I have a bad feeling that I can't shake about (1) her health and, following on that, (2) the Bills being in WNY long-term. (The Sabres' fate here isn't as tied to the Pegulas, I don't think.)

I'm not sure how my feelings got implicated. This is my opinion. My opinion is based on certain facts, as outlined above. Underlying my opinion here: If you buy the Bills (our Bills)** and secure $850M in public money to benefit the club and you project to be the sole owner of the Bills in the latter stages of your life ... well, you are sacrificing the sort of anonymity that just about everyone enjoys if and when their health takes a turn for the worse. You're a public figure. ** No offence to the Sabres, but I'm limiting it to the Bills, as their appeal is so much more far-reaching. Nowhere did I say it was a conspiracy. A generalized failure, sure. But - setting aside the deep dive disclaimer - I'm open to someone learned in the ways of J-ethics to edumacate me on why journos are ethically obliged not to make a story of a leading public figure's health.

She is, imo, the most important and influential public figure in WNY. That alone makes her health newsworthy. The family's plea to "respect our privacy" is something that is routinely requested and, I presume, granted when the person is a person of little or no public importance. That's just not the case here. She is the co-owner - and heretofore the presumed future lone owner - of the most treasured and beloved institution in the region. That makes her health newsworthy. The State and County recently approved spending $850M to directly benefit a company of which she is president. That makes her health newsworthy. I don't see this as a complicated analysis in the least. And let's be clear: Reporters aren't refraining from covering the issue, or at least attempting to cover it, because they're observing some sort of moral obligation to allow someone to keep their health a private matter. Rather, it appears that the media's not functioning in the way it's supposed to because members of that industry are averse to upsetting or offending PSE.

I’m not inviting a deep dive on journalistic ethics, but I fail to see how it is ethical from a journalistic standpoint to avoid a patently newsworthy matter because you’re concerned that covering it could harm your career. Her health and condition are newsworthy. Full stop.

HIPAA is one of the most misunderstood statutes out there.

It's been a bit over a week, and, other than that intrepid Spectrum News Reporter, no reporter has been able ... or willing ... to offer anything. I saw Tim Graham tweet to the effect that (1) he's respecting their desire for privacy and (2) doesn't want to burn any bridges ("violate professional relationships" is how he put it). I don't get it. She's a public figure. The State and County recently approved expenditures of ~$850M to benefit her company. How is her health not a news story?

...

How's Chicago apt to get to the cap floor if they part ways with both Kane and Toews this summer? They're just above it, as it is.

this is a fun thread. and i appreciate a reminder on who around here has insider connections. the one thing that i cannot get over is the wide range of values that people are suggesting for a trade to get the player for a year. my view is with those who see this as a deal that would (should) not cost a great deal - certainly not a top prospect (who suggested that the sabres offer quinn?! gah!!) and most likely not a top-12 1st rounder (but #16? maybe?).

The very few known facts, and the passage of time, are worrying for sure.

Repugnant name for the game, in retrospect. Is ***** really a filtered word here? Wth - it is. Odd. Like, people who are ***** use the word ***** to describe themselves, and, afaik, invite non-***** people to use it too. So why filter it?