That Aud Smell

It's almost as though there is a multiplicity of ways in which people consume, enjoy, and follow sports.

They're selling stories (narratives!) as much as (more than?) they're selling the on-ice activity. We see this marketing philosophy writ large for things like the Super Bowl -- with hours of pre-game coverage and dozens of stories. Not just sports. Sports entertainment. I've said it here a dozen times, so I apologize for repeating myself: Vince McMahon (gross as he is) understood this better and far earlier than any pro sports league commissioner.

That said, "widespread praise" is a weird conclusion to draw. And the one area where he must improve is calling goals. We cannot have a 50-word narrative start when the puck crosses the goal line that ends with words like "... and Tage Thompson has put the Sabres in the lead, 1-0!"

Dan's a solid pro and a good guy. That's fine for me, for now anyway. As others have noted upthread and elsewhere: I just want the team to be good.

Eh. I love chicken wings. I love my wife. I hate Tom Brady. I hate when children suffer.

Two men who have never been in my kitchen, Cliffy?

Lol - bro, what.

Old school Chef’s commercial!!

The who now? Oh. As you were.

Might just be this photo’s wonky composition (focusing on the helmets), but dude bears a striking resemblance to The Dark Lord (he who shall not be named).

Who manufactures New Era’s stuff? Presumably, there’s no way of knowing. But they’re not as poor quality as Fanatics are they?

Learning he’s Canadian has changed everything for me. (Well … not *everything.* I mean “everything” insofar as my view of Chase Claypool is concerned.)

Take a spin around Google News or Twitter -- search Claypool Bills (and maybe add the term Parrino and/or consistent). Dozens -- likely soon to exceed a hundred -- writers, accounts, AI-based aggregators are out there lulz'ing it up that the Bills "best" WR is an NFL castoff. I mean, whatever. But, still. Probably. But I'm talking about ostensibly legitimate accounts, outlets, etc.

Further on Claypool: TIL he's Canadian! The proof is here:

The internet is having an absolute field day with this observation from Matt Parino (whom I generally find to be a good Bills beat reporter): "Claypool has been the Bills’ most consistent receiver during OTAs and is setting the stage for what should be a run at the 53-man roster. He made the most explosive play of the day, catching a deep bomb from backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky during 11-on-11. Once he gets past his defender, it’s hard for the safeties to catch up and rookie Cole Bishop learned that lesson on the play, which would have gone for a touchdown in a game." https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/2024/06/buffalo-bills-otas-week-3-observations-von-miller-flashing-keon-coleman-gets-physical.html

No idea. I hope not.

Labatt USA is looking to sublease its space at Perry Street. Looks like a death spiral. https://buffalonews.com/news/local/business/development/labatt-usa-perry-street-offices-brewery-sublease/article_e04dc06a-2356-11ef-b936-bb11a24a09c1.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

I need a deep-dive Ringer article or something on how Fanatics came to be as dominant (?) as it is because that company -- and substantially everything it does -- is absolute garbage. I've had 3 or 4 experiences with them -- every one of them was, at best, a retail failure. At worst? The experience was utterly maddening. People talk about the quality of their goods being poor, which is true! All I can say is that their customer service is somehow worse -- way worse.

yeah - i did not like the Bills catching a stray there.

I may cry a little cry if Quinn were traded -- my favourite player on the team. I just love watching the guy work.

fwiw incarcerated bob is a legend of the hobbyist scoop game.

This is as good a place to put this as anywhere. (I searched a bit for auld "meddling" threads, but then relented.) Below is an excerpt from Ryan O'Halloran's piece in today's online Buffalo News. We know that Terry transferred a small ownership interest to Laura. From that tidbit below -- about how Laura went to the (boring) NFL business meetings (yawn) and Terry stuck around to talk NHL player evaluations -- we learn of the apparent continuation of the practice that Kim Pegula described, i.e., that when she and Terry get off the elevator, Kim would turn one way (towards the business operation offices) and Terry would turn the other (towards the sports operation offices). Laura Pegula’s role The NFL held its spring meeting May 20-21 in Nashville, Tenn., and the Bills were represented by Guelli and Laura Pegula, one of Terry’s two children from his first marriage. Terry stayed in Buffalo to attend Sabres draft preparation meetings.

This seems like a thing. My youngest - still in high school - has developed a solid crew of friends. They're a good bunch. Pretty middle of the road dudes. There are 6 of them, including my kid. The other day, I asked my guy - "hey, would you ever want to use the [Bills] seasons to take _____ to a game? that'd be fine with me. i'd help you pull it off [parking, etc.]." Came the response: "Nah. None of them are into the Bills, really. They're more casuals. And definitely none of them would want to go to the stadium." I compare that vibe to when I was in high school or college. Especially when the Bills were good? Feels like the times they are a' changing.

Starting to feel a bit bubbly to me.