Subject :t doesnt make us feel any better, but this is what they do," said Atlant
BUFFALO, N. Matt Slauson Jersey On Sale .Y. -- Dont rule out Niagara Falls as a potential future home of the Buffalo Bills. Several officials told The Associated Press that a newly formed Bills stadium task force of public and private leaders seeking to bolster the teams long-term viability is considering sites that would put it closer to the teams burgeoning Ontario fan base. "Were looking at Niagara County," Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy told the AP this week. "Were open to looking at a number of venues." Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster confirmed Niagara County was discussed as an option during the inaugural meeting last week of the newly formed New Stadium Working Group committee. Duffy made clear "that all options should be on the table," Dyster said, adding that includes Niagara County and even Batavia, about halfway between Buffalo and Rochester. That goes beyond the groups initial directive, which was first limited to seeking potential stadium sites in Erie County, where Buffalo is located. Another idea is having the Bills relocate their headquarters to the University at Buffalo campus in the Erie County town of Amherst, where a new practice facility would be built and shared with the schools football team. That proposal would satisfy a long-term need for a Mid-American Conference program seeking to broaden its profile. Though not a member of the working group, New York state Sen. Tim Kennedy told the AP he is aware of the preliminary discussions tying the Bills and the school. A person familiar with the discussions confirmed the Bills/UB plan has been raised. That person wasnt authorized to publicly discuss the subjects raised in the private meeting and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. Duffy and Dyster are among 20 members of the stadium group, which was established to make recommendations on whether the Bills require a new facility or should continue playing at Ralph Wilson Stadium, their 41-year-old home in Orchard Park. The group was formed as part of a 10-year, $271-million lease agreement the team reached with the state and Erie County in December 2012. The groups role in helping determine the Bills future took on more significance after Ralph Wilson, the teams owner and founder, died on March 25. Wilsons widow, Mary Wilson, is now overseeing the team until the franchise is sold, which raises the possibility of the Bills relocating under a new owner. The Bills are essentially locked into playing at their current home through the 2019 season, because the lease features a $400 million penalty in the event the team broke it. In 2020, the Bills have a one-time opportunity to opt out of the lease for about $28 million. Toronto and Los Angeles are regarded potential suitors. The new owner will have final say on any stadium proposal. Its incumbent upon the working group, which includes U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, to present a framework of viable options that provide the best chance of keeping the team in western New York. "We have many very good tools to help that happen," Schumer told the AP. "I think there is a view that us showing early interest and the potential of a new home for the Bills is very helpful, because we want to show an owner that we want to do what it take to keep the Bills in Buffalo." Ralph Wilson Stadium is currently undergoing $130 million in upgrades. The work includes structural upgrades and adding fan amenities to bring the facility up to modern-day NFL standards. The Bills presence has been regarded as key in helping an economically hard-hit region maintain a national identity. As the NFLs only New York-based franchise, the team generates about $20 million in direct annual tax revenue for the state. Niagara Falls is 30 minutes closer by car than Orchard Park to a growing southern Ontario fan base. The Bills estimate Canadians make up about 18 per cent of their season-ticket base. Kennedy favours the proposal of linking the Bills and the university but is against a stadium site outside of Erie County. "The Buffalo Bills were born in Buffalo and should stay in Buffalo," Kennedy said. "At least in Erie County. If were talking about a new stadium Id like to see it built in Buffalo proper." Kennedy said a new stadium with a dome or a retractable roof could be part of a larger development, including a new convention centre. The new facility would boost efforts to re-energize downtown Buffalo, he said, and could even make the city a contender for hosting the Super Bowl, he said. Former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra said the southern Ontario market is critical to the Bills future. Giambra said Wilson discussed with him the possibility of the team playing home games in St. Catharines, Ontario, while maintaining its headquarters in New York. "They were aggressively trying to figure out how to tap that Canadian marketplace because of the economics," Giambra said. Dyster is aware of discussions regarding the advantages of Niagara Falls location, but said its premature to suggest what recommendations might emerge. "The critical thing here is that we all have to come together as a region to make certain that we keep the Bills here," Dyster said. "If we lose the Bills, were all losers." Jay Ratliff Jersey On Sale . Free agent John Axford, who had 46 saves for Milwaukee in 2011 but has struggled the past two seasons, agreed to a one-year, $4. Domenik Hixon Jersey On Sale . The 25-year-old Spaniard, who joined United from Chelsea in January, scored twice, including directly from a free kick, to take his tally to three goals in his last two games. "I think he has made us better," United manager David Moyes said.ATLANTA -- Gregg Popovich said he couldnt enjoy a lopsided win over longtime Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer. Tim Duncan had 17 points and 16 rebounds in another dominant performance against Atlanta and San Antonio coasted to a 105-79 win over the short-handed Hawks on Friday night. Budenholzer, in his first season as the Hawks coach, was in the San Antonio organization for 19 years, including 17 as an assistant, and the last six as Popovichs top aide. Popovich said facing Budenholzer was difficult. "Actually, its no fun at all, to tell you the truth," Popovich said. "If you win, you feel bad. If you lose you always feel bad. Its a no-win when that happens." The Hawks, already short-handed without Pero Antic and DeMarre Carroll, lost point guard Jeff Teague to a left ankle sprain in the second period. Teague didnt return and is expected to miss at least two games. Boris Diaw led the Spurs with 21 points. Patty Mills, who made a career-high six 3-pointers, had 18 points. Cory Joseph started for Kawhi Leonard, who will miss three to four weeks with a broken bone in his right hand. Joseph had eight points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Leonard joined starting centre Tiago Splitter (sprained right shoulder) and former starter Danny Green (broken left index finger) on San Antonios injured list. Mills said it was "everyones mindset" to step up for the missing players. "Weve got big shoes to fill until everyone gets back," Mills said. "Guys go down, weve still got to stick to the game plan and we were able to do that tonight." The Hawks have an even longer injury list. Budenholzer said Teague will not be with the team for a two-game trip to Milwaukee and Oklahoma City. The Hawks play at Milwaukee on Saturday night. "We will hope that Jeff recovers quickly," Budenholzer said. Teague was leading the Hawks with nine points when he hurt his ankle by landing on Duncans foot. Teague then limped off the court. Even with Teague, the Hawks had only 10 players in uniform. They played their first game after losing Antic for two to four weekss with a stress fracture in his right ankle. Matt Slauson Authentic. Antic had been the replacement for Al Horford, who was lost for the season when he tore his right pectoral muscle on Dec. 26. Carroll was held out with a mild strain to his left hamstring. Budenholzer said the Hawks cant focus on the injuries. "I think nobody else in the league cares if theres a mounting toll or what our injury status is," Budenholzer said. Paul Millsaps 15 points led the Hawks, who set a season scoring low. Duncan, who blocked four shots, and point guard Tony Parker didnt return after leaving the game with the Spurs leading 77-50 late in the third quarter. The Spurs used backup players in the fourth. Parker had 11 points and seven assists. Duncan, who had 23 points and 21 rebounds in the Spurs 102-100 win over the Hawks on Dec. 2 in San Antonio, enjoyed a strong start in the rematch. He blocked Millsaps shot on the Hawks first possession, then hit a jumper before blocking an attempt by Gustavo Ayon on Atlantas next attempt. The Hawks last lead was 7-6. Back-to-back baskets by Parker and Duncan gave San Antonio the lead for good. Mills sank three 3-pointers in the final minutes of the opening period to stretch the lead to 27-14. The Spurs kept the lead in double figures the remainder of the game. "It doesnt make us feel any better, but this is what they do," said Atlantas Kyle Korver. "Theyre a well-oiled machine." Korver scored his only points on a 3-pointer with about 6 minutes remaining in the first half. He extended his NBA record to 111 consecutive games with a 3-pointer. Budenholzer was called for a technical foul in the second quarter. NOTES: Popovich tied Red Auerbach for 10th place all-time with 938 wins. ... Duncan posted his 17th double-double of the season. ... The Hawks set their previous scoring low in an 83-80 loss to Houston on Jan. 10. ... The Spurs are 6-0 on the road against Eastern Conference teams. ... San Antonio signed G Othyus Jeffers to a 10-day contract. Jeffers averaged 22.8 points and 11.4 rebounds in 22 games with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League this season. ' ' ' |
