All Eyes On Ted

Photo by Kyle Patterson taken at Templeton Landing after Black's speech at The Buffalo Rotary Club weekly meeting

By Kyle Patterson

For Ted Black, you could say all eyes are on him. With high hopes from fans for the coming hockey season, the stage was his as Black spoke to the public at The Buffalo Rotary Club luncheon in September. As a fresh face in town and President of the Sabres, Ted is convinced Buffalo has the potential to become a hockey destination. The Sabres under the new ownership of Terry Pegula, will stop at nothing less than putting Buffalo on the national map as Stanley Cup Champions. For Black, this is business as usual, working in the industry in various capacities since 1999 in Pittsburgh with his former boss and hall of famer Mario Lemieux, winning is in Black’s DNA. Black, who bears a faint resemblance to Lemieux with black slicked back hair, handsome demeanor and friendly attitude describes Lemieux as both a model on and off the ice, “Mario is a better person than he was a hockey player,” said Black, something that says a lot for the hall of famer and one of the greatest to ever play the game. Now however, all Black’s energy is in Buffalo focusing on creating an experience for both players and fans, engaging feedback and listening and  responding. Black looks at fan engagement as a key aspect of the business of hockey, soliciting feedback and making appropriate changes where needed. Black explained that after reading about 9,000 comments from fans, “One thing that struck me was how passionate the fans are. It just struck me that these people just really, really care about the team.” Black went on to affirm the team’s commitment to championship status, “The reason for the Buffalo Sabres existence is to win the Stanley Cup, there is no gray area whatsoever in that. I learned that as a business lesson whether you are making widgets or whatever else.  I don’t have any doubt any day whether I have the authority or permission to do what needs to be done.”

     The goal according to Black is to make Buffalo a “Hockey Heaven” a phrase that he has coined when describing making Buffalo a go to place for hockey players around the world. Making the Sabres a team that players would go so far as waving their no trade clause just to play among a city that appreciates hockey and for a team and leadership that celebrate the sport like we do. “Without vision the people suffer,” Black stated, quoting from the book of Proverbs. Black explained that while some of the talk is part of the vision casting and stirring  enthusiasm for what is ahead for the team, Black feels for the fans of Buffalo knowing the fans here are long over due for a winning team. Both players, fans and leadership of the team feel it though, there is something real happening with the Sabres, a  team that has come close on a number of occasions to the Cup, but came up short.

     The level of excitement for the team started with Pegula’s   emotional speech when he was introduced to the media last February as the new owner. It was obvious to everyone in the room and fans everywhere that this was more than a business transaction. His whole heart and soul are into the team. After living in Olean and Orchard Park, building an incredibly successful business and selling it for a hefty profit listing him at No. 114 on the Forbes 400 list, it’s time to have some fun and do what the man loves. Pegula, after the sale of his company—East Resources to Royal Dutch Shell for $4.7 billion in May 2010, is in no need money, something that fans can feel good about knowing that the buck is not almighty. Sports Illustrated reported Pegula saying, “Believe it or not, I never made a decision in my life based on money. We invest in our hearts.” His goal now is to build a Stanley Cup championship team, not only to turn a profit, though as Black stated, “I don’t want to be known as the guy who turned Terry into a millionaire” referencing his billionaire boss’ status. Pegula though affirmed if he was looking to make money he would drill another oil well, something that made him his billions with his former company. Though from a  business perspective the cash they are putting into the team, an estimated $150 million toward salary increases, is sure to pay  dividends in the long run. Pegula’s investment no doubt raises the prospects of what the Sabres can accomplish in a league where cash does count. The fact is Pegula and Black aren’t looking for another average team. Black told a fan online in one of the fan initiated interviews that mediocrity and average is the team’s  enemy, “The status quo is our enemy.  Look around.  If you accept it, you cease to improve.”

     If there is one thing to say about the direction that Black and Pegula are taking the team, it is toward first class status. No doubt they have raised the bar in Buffalo sports and brought a level of excitement this town has needed for years. One fan said online, “Let me echo many others in thanking you and Mr.    Pegula for what you have done so far, and what you seem poised to do to improve the team we love.” Interestingly fans from around the world as far as the Ukraine are chipping in their                 feedback and showing up in chat rooms and fan feedback forums online. The bottom line is through Black and Pegula’s experience in various capacities they are building a first class organization that can and will win.

     “Winning is not a goal but a belief. Without hard work indeed it is an empty pursuit,” Black stated while talking about the fresh vision of the Sabres organization.

      Black explained some of the arena upgrades include the best ice in hockey, new Zambonis, a new fan suite, plus major upgrades to the bathrooms including TV so you don’t miss the game and improvements in the locker rooms and fitness areas.

     Black, who never actually played hockey himself, got into the business of it in Pittsburgh after meeting Ken Sawyer, who later became President of the Penguins, at a Christmas party in 1998.  A “recovering attorney” as Black describes himself, he  interviewed and joined the Penguins as an Executive and General Counsel in September 1999.  Black’s career skyrocketed from there. Ted was a member of Mario Lemieux’s senior management team and served as Vice President of the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1999 to 2008. Ted was a  member of the core group of executives that helped Lemieux  execute one of the most successful franchise transformations in the history of professional sports. Ted was intimately involved in all senior executive-level decisions and strategic planning concerning the marketing, branding, sales and overall business operations and management of the team. In addition to being a key strategist during the Penguins’ efforts to get a new arena, Ted served as the day-to-day project leader for the new arena during the pre-construction phase of the project. He also interviewed and helped to recruit Ray Shero to become the club’s General Manager.

     After his time on Mario’s leadership team, Black oversaw the growth of FSN Pittsburgh as Senior Vice President and General Manager. FSN is a regional sports television network that produced and telecast more than 220 live pro events and 1500 hours of programming per year. Under Ted’s leadership, FSN Pittsburgh grew advertising revenues every year and telecast a record number of live pro events. The station also generated    record revenues, record earnings, record ratings and was widely recognized as the #1 rated US-based Regional Sports Network in the National Hockey League.

     In terms of the changes since the Sabres took new ownership and direction, Blacks says, “I think the changes have been tangible since day one. You can’t fake that kind of enthusiasm. When you have a leader like Terry and his wife Kim who care so much about the city and the team.”

     Black is optimistic about what Buffalo can become in the world of hockey, he recognizes the passion of the fans and believes he and the leadership of the Sabres can build upon that and leverage the existing foundation to build one of the marquee franchises in the league. “Hockey has a great culture in Buffalo that doesn’t exist in other cities. There are so many alumni that have made their home in Buffalo.”

     With making Buffalo the “Hockey Heaven” Black talks about he is putting action behind the talk confirming his and the team’s commitment to make hockey available to as many people as possible through programs like Hasek’s Heroes and the work being done by the Sabres Foundation.

     In terms of making Buffalo his home, Black couldn’t be happier with his Elmwood Village neighborhood. He expressed that as Buffalonians we need to stop keeping secrets. It wasn’t until months after arriving in Buffalo and after staying at Embassy Suites that he discovered some of Buffalo’s finest places. In terms of getting out and enjoying the city, Black enjoys Blue Monk and Coles, the variety of coffee shops and walking each morning in Delaware Park with fresh hot coffee in hand.

     Regarding making the team a success and applying his lessons learned in working with Mario and the Penguins to create a top NHL team, Black says his greatest lesson learned is to be prepared to win, “You better be prepared for when success comes.”!