The Sabres yesterday announced that Bills President Russ Brandon would take on the same role with the Sabres, the "strongest sign yet of the synergy that has steadily developed between the two franchises since October, when the Bills joined the Sabres under the ownership of Terry and Kim Pegula," according to a front-page piece by Vic Carucci of the BUFFALO NEWS. Brandon said that the discussion of replacing former Sabres President Ted Black "began Saturday afternoon and escalated through Sunday" and yesterday morning. Brandon also "has the added title of managing partner with the Bills, the highest formal job title given to a person in charge of day-to-day operations of an organization and similar to his previous title" of CEO. Brandon’s duties for the Sabres "will be the same as they are for the Bills." He will "oversee all business operations, reporting directly to the Pegulas, while leaving the hockey decisions" to GM Tim Murray, who also "will report directly to the Pegulas." That, too, is "identical to the Bills’ setup." After 10 months of "showing how well he was able to capitalize on the spiking interest in the Bills," Brandon "became the obvious choice to do the same for the Sabres as they bask in the excitement generated by the arrival of projected rookie sensation Jack Eichel." The turning point in the shift to a dual presidency "by most accounts" came last June, when Brandon "accompanied Kim Pegula and others within the franchise’s hierarchy to the NHL Awards ceremony in Las Vegas." Of the roughly 20 Sabres sponsors who "made the trip as a perk for their investment in the team, about 16 also were sponsors of the Bills." A source said that Brandon "apparently far surpassed Black, who was also on the trip, in making a positive connection with them and that did not go unnoticed" (BUFFALO NEWS, 7/28).
FADE TO BLACK: In Rochester, Kevin Oklobzija notes the Sabres in a statement said that the team and Black "mutually agreed to part ways." But it is believed that Black "didn't have much of a choice." He came to the Sabres "from Fox Sports Pittsburgh" via the Penguins when Terry Pegula "purchased the Sabres franchise from Tom Golisano" in '11. Black "headed the group that provided guidance to Pegula during the franchise purchase" (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 7/28). In Buffalo, Bucky Gleason wrote Black "only has himself to blame for his demise." Many viewed him "as paranoid and either radically insecure or extremely arrogant, a weak leader and administrator." Black "created several public-relations disasters, including one in which he looked foolish after feuding with the media." He was criticized for the Sabres’ "unsightly third jersey, saying he would have to eat the 'turdburger' if it failed." He was also "caught lying" about former President of Hockey Operations Pat LaFontaine's "unceremonious departure" last year. Black "seemed out of touch from the beginning, failed to forge enough good relationships to become effective and never connected with the community." Gleason: "Rather than postpone the inevitable, he was shown the door" (BUFFALONEWS.com, 7/27).
ONE FOR ALL: In Buffalo, David Bertola reported the Sabres and Bills are both "on pace for record-breaking season-ticket sales" as a result of a "high-tech approach that focuses more on customer-purchasing behaviors and less on mass marketing." Pegula Sports & Entertainment Exec VP/Marketing & Brand Strategy Brent Rossi said that PS&E performs various functions for both teams, including "marketing, finance, creative services, business development and media content." He added that the Pegulas took the synergy "a step further by creating their 'One Buffalo' brand, which ties the Bills, Sabres and the region together" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/27).
