Buffalo loves its hockey
Updated: 06/22/08 6:50 AM
Recently, I was called out by Bob DiCesare for stating that Buffalo has transformed itself from a football town to a hockey town. While my actual quote should have stated that “Buffalo has transformed itself from a football town to a football and hockey town,” the question of which team dominates the hearts and wallets of the market does beg an answer.
The answer, however, lies much deeper than simply looking at ticket sales and tailgating. Sorry, Bob.
A sports team’s effect on a community has to do with many factors, including community involvement, economic impact, merchandise sales, television ratings, and grass-roots participation.
Some facts that support Buffalo being a hockey town:
• It all starts at the grass-roots level. Local rinks are running at full capacity.
• This local participation has also translated to Western New York amateur hockey consistently producing NHL players. Right now, there are 10 players from the area in the NHL, including the No. 1 draft choice and Calder Trophy winner.
• Buffalo is recognized as a hockey town among its NHL peers and the league. The fact that Buffalo was chosen to host the Winter Classic should not go unnoticed. Buffalo was selected for the passion and support of hockey. While Buffalo cannot claim many sports records, the one it owns is “largest crowd for an a NHL game.”
• The Sabres led the NHL in merchandise sales in 2006-07. Four of the top five jerseys sold were of Buffalo players.
• In an October 2007 Scarborough Research Study, Buffalo was ranked as having the most loyal fans in the NHL. Nearly 30 percent of the market’s population called themselves a Sabres fan.
• The hockey season brings added life and economic benefit to the center of the region. On any given Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and beyond, there are jersey-wearing Sabres fans spilling onto Washington Street and into the bars and restaurants of downtown Buffalo.
In my career, I have marketed professional sports in Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Los Angeles. I have seen hockey towns, football towns, and towns that just don’t care. Buffalo is a great sports town. A great football town. And, yes, a hockey town.
So is Buffalo a hockey town or a football town? It is not an either/or question. Buffalo continues to demonstrate its passion and support for both the NFL and the NHL.
But the fact is, Buffalo is a strong hockey town. If you don’t believe me, I would ask you to head over to any local ice rink to see for yourself. By the way, feel free stop by at 5 a. m.
John Cimperman
Principal, Cenergy East Aurora
