« Laura Bush | Main | Biden re: Sleepover »
September 03, 2008
Young Russert: How To Save The Bills
The view from my seat in Section 201, where I'll be posted up for home games starting Sunday. Thanks to KRW for the picture.
Taking a break from the conventions for a minute, my thoughts turn to the Bills.
As I prepare the ceremonial Genny to be lovingly tipped out in honor of the late, great Tim Russert this Sunday at the Ralph, I am reminded by my man Urban of the excellent article young Luke Russert authored a few weeks back explaining precisely how to guarantee the Bills stay in Buffalo for now and forever. Besides proving that he is undoubtedly his father's son, Russert's cogent analysis is exactly what NFL Commissioner (and Jamestown native) Roger Goodell needs to hear:
The league should man-up and give Buffalo fans a stake in the team, like in Green Bay. Under the Packers model (formed in 1923), 112,088 fans hold more than four million voting shares in the team, having paid from $5 (offered in 1923) to $200 (1998) per share. There's no owner to pocket the profits, just an advisory group of fans to make sure every penny is reinvested in the team. The benefits are huge. In financial straits and need cash? A fan-owned team can sell more shares. Need pols to approve a new stadium? Your franchise is co-owned by voters. If Buffalonians are given a stake in their team, I'll wager my 7-month-old pug, Chamberlain, that the Bills open the 2015 season in new digs on the shores of Lake Erie. Hello, revenue!
Damn right, Luke. I'm in. Let's make it happen.
Posted by caps at September 3, 2008 01:46 PM