C'mon man... seriously? Volleyball? Surely you were going for hyperbole.
The Sabres and Bills are a huge asset to WGR (and any station that has the games) not only during the hours spent broadcasting the games, but peripherally and promotionally. The ancillary shows are revenue generators. The fact that the station can position itself as "the home of" is immensely beneficial and a strategic asset. Having the Bills AND the Sabres is a bonus. Yes, there are costs and expenses associated with being the flagship rights holder, but for an AM station especially, having one let alone two franchises keeps the station relevant in a time when AM is on the ropes if not on life support.
As to the Bills vs. Citadel lawsuit, the company was in bankruptcy proceedings and the court gave Citadel the green light to dissolve its contracts across the board. There was a legal wrangle about paying for a Bills luxury box but it was resolved. Citadel reportedly paid and maintained the box. Knowledgeable sources say both the no-longer-bankrupt Cumulus and Townsquare assessed the potential of an affiliation with the Bills and chose to pass. Pegula Sports & Entertainment is said to be pleased with its association with WGR which carries both teams. PS&E likes the synergy of the relationship. Just a guess, but PS&E would prefer an FM flagship to broadcast both the Sabres and the Bills. Great combo for an AM all-sports station but a heavy lift for an FM that relies on a music format.
