One of the top businesses in the league? You might be surprised.
Forbes.com has posted its annual evaluations of NHL franchises, and the Buffalo Sabres are not near the top of the league. In fact, they aren't all-that-close to the middle.
Buffalo fits right below Carolina and St. Louis, and right above Edmonton and Columbus, showing up at No. 23 in the league at $170 million. It's actually a one-percent improvement from 2008-09's rankings, but that's nothing compared to the Chicago Blackhawks, who jumped a league-best 26 percent. That's likely due to the team's success and decision to put their games back on television.
The Sabres have an operating income of $79 million, and posted a negative $5.2 million in operating income, which is categorized as "Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization." Compare that with the league-best Leafs ($78.9 million) and Canadiens ($31.3 million), and it looks rough. Compare it with the league-worst Coyotes (negative $18.5) and Panthers (negative $13.6), and it's not as rough. Buffalo is in the league's Top Ten in debt/value ratio.
The report says the league is coming off its best money year in the last 12, with a $6.1 million profit. It credits the success in the recession to the revival of big markets and the entrance of some big-name corporate sponsors. For a specific look at the Sabres report, which has been on a steady rise, click here. To read the rest of the league report, head here.
cue the ever so intelligent "sabres are cheap" comments in 3,2,1....
11/12/2009 8:11AM
Just more
confirmation that the Sabres are NOT cheap. People need to get off of Tommy G's back since he purchased the bankrupt Sabres with the specific intent of keeping them in Buffalo when nobody else wanted them. THANK YOU TOM GOLISANO!!
11/12/2009 8:39AM
Forbes
With result to smart sprending and understanding the free agent market and building a contending team this team scores near the bottom of the league.
11/12/2009 8:41AM
Please
Give me a break on the savior Golisano he has proven to be simply ineffective and understanding and developing what he bought.
11/12/2009 8:46AM
CBC
Thank goodness the Sabres bosses are not judged by playoff entry or for that matter contribution to the overall league value. IN Buffalo they remain content in mediocrity!
11/12/2009 8:57AM
MORE SIGNINGS!
OMG we would be at the top of this list if we just signed Jagr and Pronger!!! Come on Golisano, you're rich you need to spend more money that's how you get so rich right!?!?~`11
Fire Lindy hire Jaques Pierre, trade Lydman for Souray and sign Alexei Kovalev! Eat the contract and send Roy thru waivers he's been awful!
Stop being so CHEAP! Spendspendspend!
11/12/2009 9:18AM
RE:More Signings
Were you drunk or stoned when you came up with that comment? Make some sense before posting.
11/12/2009 9:42AM
Buffalo Fans...
Want Golisano to act like the rest of the irresponsible owners (and Americans, in general) and not worry about their bottom line and dig themselves deeper into debt. It's the American Way!
11/12/2009 10:32AM
go to the message board
thats half of the posts right there.
11/12/2009 10:39AM
Not Bad
With ($5.2)m in EBITDA the Sabres are basically breakeven. Tom G bought this pig for what, $80m in 2003; so he's already doubled his investment in 5 years.Sports franchises barely generate cash flow year to year, but its the franchise value upon a trade that earns the owner his return. With a 5-year horizon already achieved, Tom G might be looking to get out; as he is afterall, a businessman
11/12/2009 10:44AM
In response to more signings
More Signings- Really? That may be the dumbest thing I'd ever read, your comment about trading Lydman for Souray alone tells me you know nothing about hockey. Roy through waivers?? Are you insane???
11/12/2009 11:07AM
who cares?
NHL is scond rate garbage league. in this country nobody cares.
11/12/2009 11:08AM
smart sports fan
truth hurts does it not?
11/12/2009 12:08PM
Trade Vanek
Thomas Vanek to the Ottawa Senators for a forth rounder pick with the stipulation that Ottawa also take the Goathead and must use the rotating captains system.
11/12/2009 12:37PM
better team = more money
well is they could consistently start making the playoffs each year, maybe they would move up the list
11/12/2009 1:41PM
Attendance
Look at last nights game, almost 1,000 shy of a sell out... I know the face value of seasons are much lower than window, but allow 500 more people to buy seasons and there is that many more people in the seats.. I know I wish I could get seasons!
11/12/2009 2:22PM
Stupid
I cant believe how dumb some of the people who posted before me are...No I'm not talking about the guy who posted "MORE SIGNINGS".
11/12/2009 2:48PM
Long Live MORE SIGNINGS
get dion phaneuf up in here! chris osgood as backup! ditch the msg profit sharing and get your own network, sabres. we don't need any of that dirty NYC money. trade for avery!
11/13/2009 8:03AM
we need the yankees mentality
To sabres management: If you want to increase ticket prices and get the fans paying a little more out of their pocket,sign a good young player each yr.Only use the farm system to trade,and get the few pieces that are missing either by trade or free agency.The fans will pay more to see a organization who is atleast trying,ohh and one last word,hire the stienbrenners to run the show.We will be in the hunt for the stanley cup every yr.
11/13/2009 11:03AM
Better signings
Forget the Steinbrenners, get Mark Messier to coach this team! He'll get them into game shape. Gretzky only failed in Phoenix because they have bad ice down there because it's sooooo hot you can't play hockey in Arizona! It's the desert! Get Messier and sign Gretzky as equipment manager, bring in Roenick to replace Larry Quinn and get Bobby Orr to drive the zamboni. Hello Stanlie's Cup!
11/14/2009 9:21AM
RE:Better Signings
Right on brother,we think alike,lol.If i ever win the mega lottery and buy this team,im going to find you some how,and let you be the GM.We need some kind of excitement in this town .
11/14/2009 11:36AM
Bob Corkum
Bring back Corkum but don't wait for the trade deadline this time!!
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