SabreSpace

'However, the league's support comes with a condition. Bettman made it clear, that with all the talk of the Sabres' problems, fans must support the franchise. In other words, buy tickets.' … [Read more...] about Talk of Sabres Leaving Buffalo Because of Adelphia Problems May Be Premature

'"I have been in touch with the Rigases. I have been in touch with Erland Kailbourne, who is acting chairman of Adelphia. We're not looking to do anything precipitous," Bettman said. "They have a whole lot of issues that they are dealing with. There are a whole lot of allegations, but we are closely monitoring it because if at some point it becomes … [Read more...] about Bettman says with support, Sabres stay

'The defenceman said his decision wasn't only monetary, but had to do with the team's general interest in his career. "I hadn't met with Buffalo since September," he said. "So they didn't show they were interested in me."' … [Read more...] about Dicaire playing waiting game

'The NHL is accustomed to franchise shifts and, outside the 716 area code, there won't be a lot of crying if the Sabres fall on their sword.' … [Read more...] about Sabres could be living on borrowed time

'McMorrow's stats speak volumes on the type of forward he is. In 176 games, the 6-foot-4, 210-pounder had six goals and eight assists with 443 penalty minutes.' … [Read more...] about McMorrow, Gaustad sign deals with Sabres

'At some point, Regier will brace fans for the worst. His message will be simple: Fans can either have NHL hockey in their town - where tickets prices will increase, but the attempt to pay for a contender will decrease - or no hockey at all. What's worse is Buffalo the town might not have a choice about Buffalo the team.' … [Read more...] about Sabres derailed money train may not have all aboard

'Dicaire said if he signs with the Sabres he'll probably be based with their farm team in Rochester, N.Y., where he'll train for a couple of years. On the other hand, if he doesn?t sign, he said he?ll go back into the draft.' … [Read more...] about Dicaire expects Sabres contract

'The Buffalo Sabres signed two draft picks to three-year deals, including center Paul Gaustad, on Saturday and lost the rights to second-round pick Gerard Dicaire.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sign two draft picks; lose rights to Dicaire

'If Adelphia defaults and goes into bankruptcy and the Sabres are pledged against collateral for the 150 million dollar loan, then it's a real possibility the Sabres could be sold or be taken over. If there is a bankruptcy and local investors do not step in, the Sabres could be skating in another city.' … [Read more...] about Major Investor May Help Save Adelphia Communications

'"There's a group of people that have the financial resources and the desire to become involved in the team if there's an opportunity," Giambra said. That, combined with assurances he received from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to keep the team in Buffalo, left Giambra optimistic about the team's future in the city with or without the Rigas family … [Read more...] about Rigas' financial troubles place future of Sabres in question

'Speculation about a local ownership group for the National Hockey League team centers on a small group of local business executives, including Mark E. Hamister and Robert E. Rich Jr. Rich was part of the previous Sabres ownership group, and Hamister owns the Buffalo Destroyers Arena League football team that plays in HSBC Arena.' … [Read more...] about Local purchase of Sabres under discussion

'Adelphia Communications' financial problems will not prevent Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier from signing five prospects before Saturday, the deadline for teams to reach agreements with certain picks from the 2000 NHL entry draft.' … [Read more...] about Regier free to sign draft picks despite money woes

'But you don't have to be a Wharton School grad to suspect that it was Rigas' Ivy-educated children, products of the financially fast-paced 1980s, who nudged the old man to overextend.' … [Read more...] about Rigas story mixes anger with sadness

'According to an Adelphia Communications Corp. 10-Q filing, submitted on Sept. 30, 2000, the cable company appeared to provide $76.5 million to help purchase the team from Niagara Frontier Hockey L.P. The notes are due to be paid back in quarterly installments through July 2010.' … [Read more...] about Adelphia gave $76.5 million to Sabres

'But until Rigas decides to sell and a new owner arrives with some money to spend, the team will exist in an even worse version of its current cash-strapped state. The Sabres lost about $10million this past season, season ticket renewals are believed to be proceeding poorly and the team again will not be a major player in the free agent market this summer.' … [Read more...] about Adelphia joins list of corporate crashes