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Do you like going to a Bills Game? Do you like watching the Sabres? When the Bills leave town do you think they are going to move to Amherst? In 1995, Buffalo was the 36th largest metropolitan market in the United States. In 2004, the Buffalo metropolitan area (yes, this includes North Tonawanda, Hamburg, etc.) had fallen to the 50th largest area. Because Greater Buffalo's population has zero growth, its position in the country continues to slip as other cities grow. Cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, Tampa, San Bernadino, Indianapolis, and Seattle grow while Buffalo goes sideways. Every growing city in America seeks a professional sports team to give itself prestige and name recognition.
It is only a
matter of time before Buffalo's falling star crosses the path
of another city's rising star, and one of the two remaining
teams leaves town. Unfortunately, you will not be asked if
you want to vote to keep the Bills or the Sabres here. One
day, a new owner will show up with a generous stadium offer
from a sunbelt city. The viability of our professional sports
franchises are directly related to our ability to collectively
grow our community in the future. The owner of the Bills does
not care where the border between Cheektowaga and Buffalo is.
When it comes to local governmental reform, we are playing a
big game, and the stakes are our sports teams. Let's not kick
it wide right. |
