The Sabres this season are introducing the "Sabres Flex Pass," which will allow fans to "access multiple games a month by paying" an $89 subscription fee, according to Mike Harrington of the BUFFALO NEWS. Tickets will be "offered for 35 of the 40 home games, subject to availability, and can be requested 24 hours prior to the game." The subscriptions go on sale Sept. 16. A monthly pass has "started cropping up in baseball," but the Sabres believe they are the "first NHL or NBA team to offer one." The team is "embarking upon several new fan initiatives" for the '17-18 season, with "gate giveaways, more organ music and less chatter during breaks in play." The Sabres will also have a new Family Zone in the 100 level "featuring interactive games and activities and will unveil a 'One Buffalo Street Team' to engage with fans throughout the game." Many of the changes were "driven by feedback from season-ticket holders and social media." Sabres Senior VP Mike Gilbert said, "We did a survey last season to really do a deep dive and find out some of the concerns, some of the things our fans want to see and want to have. ... When you actually talk to them and find out some of the things that really matter to them, you learn." The Sabres have not yet released figures on season-ticket renewals, although Gilbert "acknowledged there were some cancellations after the team's sixth straight non-playoff year." But Gilbert said that most of those are "expected to be soaked up by new fans off the team's waiting list and new Mini-pack customers" (BUFFALO NEWS, 8/24).
