BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) It's something that you can't quantify or assign a dollar value, but the Buffalo Bills exposure this season to the community, is
over the top.
"I'm hearing things from not only within our country, but from around the world," said Patrick Kaler, President of Visit Buffalo Niagara.
The exposure Buffalo is getting as a result, by national media, goes
beyond the football games.
"It's great advertising for us. I couldn't buy that type of TV time," added Kaler.
"The cutaways to our city, the great fall weather that we've had. It's really
showcased the city and the fun nature of our community. It's been
fantastic all the way around," he said.
Part of the excitement can come from something rather small.
A cardboard cutout of Josh Allen hurdling over a North Buffalo intersection, for example. It drew crowds for weeks to "Hurdle" and Wellington for photo ops, after Zoom Buffalo created it.
"I'm guilty," quipped Kaler. "I posted pictures that were taken there."
He said easy things like that go viral and they make a big difference
in the community." Murals on buildings are also drawing the public
to spaces they otherwise wouldn't visit.
Related
It's not just the team. But the fan base is part of the story as well.
Kaler said Bills Mafia is strong and they are known worldwide. He made reference again to the segment on NBC's Today Show last week (see in video player below) with Correspondent Harry Smith in which Smith found out what makes a Bills tailgate so special.
"What was great about that segment, is that it wasn't just about the team. It was about the community around the team. And how we have rallied financially, philanthropically, for different causes, such as the Patricia Allen Fund for Oishei Children's Hospital. But also, what we have done for other teams in other communities. Bills Mafia comes out and helps those
communities as well." Kaler noting, "the city of good neighbors is not just here in Buffalo. We spread that love throughout the country."
