TBN piece on sagging attendance, enthusiasm in arena

[Kr632]

how many little kids are there? Say 11yrs old or younger?

probably 1/8 of the crowd. The arena is probably an 1/8th full right now Edited December 31, 2015 by Kr632

[Kr632]

The roof in the building is just way too high. It sucks all the noise and the buzz right out of the building. It's like high ceilings in casino gaming floors. Big no-no.

if people actually cheered and didn't just sit there like they were watching paint dry I would say you had a point. It's the people not the building

[LGR4GM]

probably 1/8 of the crowd. The arena is probably an 1/8th full right now

I honestly think that has something to do with it.  Not blaming children but people try to behave around kids and that takes out some of the arena stuff.

[Kr632]

I honestly think that has something to do with it. Not blaming children but people try to behave around kids and that takes out some of the arena stuff.

I think the opposite. When attending a sabres game there are usually more older people. They don't like to cheer. Bandits games usually have a lot of younger children and the crowd is usually in a much better mood and actually get into the game regardless of the outcome.

[PASabreFan]

The roof in the building is just way too high. It sucks all the noise and the buzz right out of the building.  It's like high ceilings in casino gaming floors.  Big no-no.

 

That said, a facelift could address that specific issue relatively easily. 

 

One of the things I liked about the Aud was that access to the Orange seats came from the top and the concourse was essentially open to the arena.  You could walk and watch the game, or intentionally stand and watch. Frankly, it was way more fun to get a SRO ticket at the Aud than a seat.  I did both and SRO was tremendous fun and basically license to be nuts. With seats you had to sit.  Sitting is not conducive to prolonged nutty (read loud) behavior.

 

You MIGHT be able to re-create something like that but it wouldn't be easy.

 

If we were making a new building (unlikely) I'd want to get back as many of the original Aud elements as possible. I want the open concourse at the top. I want to be on top of the ice.  I almost think of the Globe Theatre as as example of what I have in my head, even if there were multiple smaller, fairly steep levels stacked up on top of each other it'd be better than the current swept back/no overhang design.  The overhangs themselves actually help the atmosphere. They make it louder in your individual seat.  Noise breeds more noise.  Noise is exciting.  Baseball is a pretty tranquil game to watch most of the time.  Under the overhang it feels much more lively than it does way out in the open space.  You could cantilever quite a bit of an upper deck over a lower deck if you were so motivated to do so.  With modern video technology it's much easier to do away with the large centralized jumbo tron idea because you could do a wraparound scoreboard underneath each overhang.  I'd want all the concourses open to the arena floor like in a good modern baseball stadium (Citizens Bank Park) with the sections loading from the top down not the bottom up through tunnels.

 

I think if we had a solid, modern design, we could achieve a lot of these things.  The current FNC design is basically the cheapest off-the rack arena design you could get in 1995.  We can do better.

This is good stuff. I hope to see an arena like this someday. Can we get some color back in the seats too?

[SwampD]

My buddy said that the contrived arena BS is way worse at Washington than in Buff. He said the difference is the people. Everyone is so serious in Buffalo, they're almost too knowledgable about the game. It's hockey FFS. Just watch and have fun. He said the people in Washington weren't so "heavy".

 

I'm sure having a superstar and winning helps. It brings in the casual fan that just wants to have fun.

[Kr632]

I recently thinking about the Sabres future arena. Where will it go? With the harbor center and Marriott you would think they would like to keep it where it is. If they knock down FNC to build a new one, where will the Sabres play for a year?

when was the arena built? 1996? I don't think it is close to needing to be replaced.

it's a bit of both. In there you almost feel like you're yelling in church.

 

The reason I say it's both is because decent casinos manage to generate buzz in a room full of senior citizens pushing buttons. Yes the people are quiet, no the design doesn't help.

 

Hamilton :ph34r:

lol I definitely does feel like yelling in a church so I retract my previous statement and agree with you

[FLYNNSanity]

when was the arena built? 1996? I don't think it is close to needing to be replaced.

FNC is the 15th oldest arena, in 2017 it will be the 13th oldest. It wont get any younger ;)

[Kr632]

FNC is the 15th oldest arena, in 2017 it will be the 13th oldest. It wont get any younger ;)

wow. That's nuts. Idk what the lifespan of arenas are but fnc still is one of the better looking arenas I have been too.

[Robviously]

My buddy said that the contrived arena BS is way worse at Washington than in Buff. He said the difference is the people. Everyone is so serious in Buffalo, they're almost too knowledgable about the game. It's hockey FFS. Just watch and have fun. He said the people in Washington weren't so "heavy".

I'm sure having a superstar and winning helps. It brings in the casual fan that just wants to have fun.

This is why Stars games are better than Sabres games (yes, even a couple years ago before they were a juggernaut). Everyone is wearing green but no one is treating the game like it's a life or death thing. Basically, they're Cowboys fans looking for something fun to do while they wait for Sunday.

 

Buffalo puts too much of its self-worth in the hands of its sports teams, unfortunately.

wow. That's nuts. Idk what the lifespan of arenas are but fnc still is one of the better looking arenas I have been too.

There's really nothing wrong with our building.

[Kr632]

Check out a predators game in nashville. The crowd is amazing.

[Kr632]

Buffalo puts too much of its self-worth in the hands of its sports teams, unfortunately.

 

There's really nothing wrong with our building.

I agree with both of these

[Robviously]

Go to a Flyers game.  Even when they're crappy it's loud.

Why do you think that is?

[FLYNNSanity]

wow. That's nuts. Idk what the lifespan of arenas are but fnc still is one of the better looking arenas I have been too.

WOW I just read Ottawa's planning a new arena, theirs was also built in '96.

Although I would bet money that the Sabres stay in FNC for 20 more years.

 

 

I would also like to add that besides FNC atmosphere, I really like the arena.

FNC really is a nice rink.

Edited December 31, 2015 by FLYNNSanity

[SwampD]

The FNC is still every bit as good and up to date at the Prudential center in NJ, and that's only 8 years old.

[FLYNNSanity]

Structurally?  It has a lot of life left.  There will be a decent face lift coming in about 5 years would be my guess.  They will be next up once the Bills get their new building downtown.  Maybe the Sabres can play in the dome for a year when they gut FNC.  :)

Hatred of anyone and anything not from Philadelphia.

Not a bad idea. If the Bills get a dome, and the Sabres do a complete renovation/ rebuild of FNC, maybe they would play in Bills dome?

The team that REALLY needs a new arena is the Amerks, BCA is a ****hole. The city nor anyone will put money into it, although there was talk of the city

funding "major renovations". There is still nothing in stone to my knowledge.

[Taro T]

I honestly think that has something to do with it. Not blaming children but people try to behave around kids and that takes out some of the arena stuff.

So are you suggesting that kids shouldn't come to games?

Edited December 31, 2015 by Taro T

[ubkev]

Not sure if I'm buying the "kids" angle. The Carrier Dome is always rocking and that joint is full of kids. I scream until my throat bleeds at 'Cuse basketball games and no one looks at me funny. Not exactly the same treatment at Sabres games. It's like people don't like when I heckle the refs, or tell the Sabres to Shoooooot! Or something. :)

[That Aud Smell]

winning helps.

This.

 

That Capitals team? Fairly fearsome.

 

Am I to believe that the Buffalo fans can't hoot and holler like a D.C. hockey crowd? Talk about your Chet and Muffy corporate scene.

 

We're also chasing our tails a bit. I've heard it various ways: Casual fans bring down the vibe; casual fans bring up the vibe; overly invested fans bring down the vibe; heavily invested and attentive fans are needed to create atmosphere; etc.

 

I've been in that arena when the team was rolling. I look forward to doing so again.

Edited December 31, 2015 by That Aud Smell

[Kristian]

The one quote about how the guy felt excited to be going, then the excitement just drained away once he got to the arena, rang a bell with me. I often feel this way. Look at the picture. Depressed, bored, slouching people. Maybe a culling of these people from the stands would be good. Why go if you're that miserable?

 

Anyway, maybe what MODO says happens in Swedish arenas could help here. Each section has a captain or captains to get things going.

Same thing here, albeit on a smaller scale - You have guys thumping drums and chanting, no matter how the home team is doing.

Edited December 31, 2015 by Kristian

[PASabreFan]

Same thing here, albeit on a smaller scale - You have guys thumping drums and chanting, no matter how the home team is doing.

Here where?

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

WOW I just read Ottawa's planning a new arena, theirs was also built in '96.

 

Ottawa needs a new arena - their current arena is located out in the middle of nowhere.

 

The team that REALLY needs a new arena is the Amerks, BCA is a ****hole.

 

Their missed chance was when RIT built their new 4,000 seat arena 5 years ago. They should have partnered with RIT and built and 8,000 seat arena on campus which could have served as a multipurpose arena.

[beerme1]

Ottawa needs a new arena - their current arena is located out in the middle of nowhere.

 

 

Their missed chance was when RIT built their new 4,000 seat arena 5 years ago. They should have partnered with RIT and built and 8,000 seat arena on campus which could have served as a multipurpose arena.

 

Ottawa like Florida put there arena in a far away place for some stupid reason.

 

I'm sure someone will find a way to believe that not partnering with RIT was a Pegula failure or conspiracy.

[Eleven]

Not a bad idea. If the Bills get a dome, and the Sabres do a complete renovation/ rebuild of FNC, maybe they would play in Bills dome?

The team that REALLY needs a new arena is the Amerks, BCA is a ****hole. The city nor anyone will put money into it, although there was talk of the city

funding "major renovations". There is still nothing in stone to my knowledge.

 

Huh.  I like BCA.  A lot.

[darksabre]

So are you suggesting that kids shouldn't come to games?

To speak for LGR, I don't think that's his angle. I don't mind kids being at games. They're often far more entertaining than their stuffy parents. 

 

It's the parents of the kids who expect other fans to cater to their child's delicate sensibilities who are the issue.