Budget Rumors Finally Put To Rest

Players' Salary Budget Going Up

Putting to rest past rumors regarding the Sabres' player spending decreasing, the Sabres made it perfectly clear today that those rumors were false. At a morning press conference today announcing the re-signing of Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regier, Larry Quinn, who most likely advises Golisano on spending matters, announced that the spending on players this year will be higher than last year.

Although figures were not disclosed, it lifts a large cloud of gloom regarding the Sabres' willingness to spend the money required to sign Briere, Drury, etc. There were still no guarantees, but the increased probability is sure to help fans sleep a little bit better.

This also goes to prove that Golisano is a billionaire of the Richard Branson school of thought. Golisano, a keen business mind, has shown he knows how to keep markets interested while keeping his own interests in the front of his mind. He, like Branson, enjoys throwing out business man phrases that keep people talking but in reality, while Paychex is his living, the Sabres have become his passion and his personal pride. Much like Branson's space tourism aspirations, the Sabres are something that Golisano wants to give to WNY as his legacy.

If Golisano didn't run for governor and didn't buy the Sabres, what would his legacy be? In the business community, it would have been Paychex, but that is the vast minority of people in the area. Golisano knows that a Stanley Cup in this town will make him immortal. There would be a parade followed by a statue and "Tom Golisano Ave" somewhere downtown.

When you have billions, and I am just guessing, life becomes about different things. Most wealthy business men do not like to sit back and watch time roll by, and they also don't want to work 20 hours a day towards a goal they already achieved. Instead, it becomes about legacy and how they will be remembered. If this wasn't the case, there would be no Vanderbilt University and no Carnegie Mellon.

Golisano has clearly seen what this team's success can do for this town and it appears that he sees this team as an opportunity for his legacy. One thing is for sure, if this team ever marches down Delaware Ave hoisting that Cup, the loudest cheers will be for Golisano and his legacy would sewn up as an immortal hero that gave Buffalo something to smile about for generations.

So, am I surprised that he'll spend the money? Not one bit.