Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates

Passionate about Buffalo, its image and its people. I advocate for the end of the stigmas associated with mental illness and for St. Luke's Mission of Mercy.

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

@DelReid @adamzyglis Del, gotta have this one!! A classic! Consider a water buffalo hat thene with Tee Forton-Barnes

[Del Reid 🦬 @DelReid]

Big thank you to Kenny (aka Pinto Ron) for giving us his blessing to run this new design by @adamzyglis! #BillsMafia

[Buffalo Rising @BuffaloRising]

Bryan Wittman Reflects on His Time at the Erie County Fair, Disney, and His Return to WNY https://t.co/lGISO6869P

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

Jelly Roll is my new musical hero. Congratulations!

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

Huge press conference with the Bills today. My pal Sammy V has the best candidate for our next Head Coach… former Bill Frank Reich. Let’s do it!

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

I have spent nearly half my 70 years working in professional sports either as a sports writer or a sports executive. During that time I have covered, experienced, or have been a part of sports teams parting ways with coaches, managers, General Managers or other executives. While the moves may or may not be justified, they are never easy for those affected to accept. Fans are always vocal with their opinions.
I was covering the Buffalo Sabres practice in the old Memorial Auditorium when I was tipped off team owners Seymour and Norty Knox wanted to fire Coach Marcel Pronovost and asked the team's first General Manager George "Punch" Imlach to do so. He refused so they also let him go. Former Ch. 7 sports reporter Anne Simon and I were the only sports reporters there when Pronovost stormed off the ice after someone called him over to the bench. I stopped the coach from pushing Anne's camera into her when she asked if he had just been fired.
There were many others over the years but I cannot recall any that have received the public outcry as the firing of Bills Coach Sean McDermott.
I am not here to question the owner's decision or voice an opinion because it won't change what has been done.
While I have questioned some of the decision making during his career here, beginning with 13 seconds, my admiration for him as a coach grew as I observed the culture he created in the room and the public admiration he had for the God of his understanding.
In all my years of watching and covering post game press conferences, his opening comments after the Bills stunning victory over Cincinnati was a first for me.
"To God Be The Glory" is how he opened and for me, that was the first time I heard a coach open a post game interview with a reference to God.
While many of us quote some of the classic comments HOF Coach Marv Levy made during his Bills career, I will always use and follow Sean's quote, "Stay Hungry. Be Humble."
My buddy, "Sammy V" Violante, a season ticket holder from Day One at Rich Stadium, loves Coach McDermott's "Trust the Process" quote and his "We Can Only Control What You Can Control."
I commend by dear friend, Del Reid of 26 Shirts for creating his latest shirt, "Thank You Coach McDermott" the day of his firing. Sales are strong.
During every post game press conference Coach McDermott thanked Bills fans for their support that game, especially for those who attended road games. He made sure the players knew they were playing for the loyal, great fans of Buffalo and how they were representing this city in their actions on and off the field. In the years Coach McDermott was here, he and his family truly became one of us.
Despite how it ended, I believe he will always have a fond spot in his heart for the Queen City and I know he wishes only the best for Josh and the team.
I would love to organize a Thank You Coach McDermott rally but knowing him and his "Be Humble" mantra, he would not attend.
Instead, I would like to hold a virtual "Thank You, Coach McDermott Rally" on this social media page and offer it up to anyone who would like to send him a message or mention your favorite Sean McDermott quote. If you would rather make your message private, email me at [email protected].
I will give fans about a week and I will print, package and deliver them along with some Buffalo goodies---coupons for Charlie the Butcher sandwiches, LaNova Pizza and Watson's Sponge Candy!
Thank you Coach McDermott for the memories and we wish you and your family only the best in the future.
May God continue to bless all of you.

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

There was a recent front-page story in The Buffalo News about the sale of everything from seats to urinals in the original Rich Stadium. I give the fellow from Collectables XChange a lot of credit for getting this account to manage the sale of unique memorabilia to one of the most loyal, diehard fan bases in the world.
I wish we could have convinced the City of Buffalo to do the same when War Memorial Stadium was demolished in the late 1980s to make way for its current tenant, the Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Sports Pavilion at Jefferson and Best Street on Buffalo’s East Side. I was fortunate to get two of the seats and they are now on a stand with other memorabilia in my basement.
If the City of Buffalo ever decides to renovate the old entrance to the stadium at the corner of Jefferson and Best similar to what it did at Jefferson and Dodge, I would push them to see what’s salvageable in the stairwells and rest rooms that are still there from when it was built as a WPA project nearly 100 years ago.
Back to the large yard sale they will be conducting in Orchard Park with revenues going to Collectables XChange, Legends, and Erie County. Looking at the prices they are proposing, which are too high for my taste, the gross revenues will be a high number in the millions. Subtract the cost to extract the items and make them presentable and the gallons of bleach to sanitize the highly sought after urinals, and you still have a very profitable venture for the three entities.
From my understanding Erie County owns the stadium so I believe would or should have final say on the sale and distribution of funds. I’ve heard our County Executive say it could be millions into the general fund of the county budget.
I know they are playing on the fan’s excitement to take home a memory of all those years attending Bills games, concerts, Wing Fest and other events over the decades. I’m sure a few are mumbling about the price, too.
Here is an idea I would love to see our County Executive endorse and support. Mandate all 3 of the entities generating funds from the sale of these items later this spring, dedicate an impressive percentage to agencies in Erie County that directly provide food to our hungry neighbors.
As a volunteer at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy since its inception 31 years ago, and who created a fund in my late wife’s name, The Debbie Billoni Food Fund to benefit the free meals they distribute each day at the mission, and who worked at the Food Bank of WNY, I know first hand about the hunger needs in our community.
I would love to see funds be directed to the purchase of much needed food that would be delivered to agencies in need and those gifts would come from the most loyal sports fans in the world.
If the County Executive is open to this, I would present a unique plan, one that determines what agencies need the most—-protein, such as meat, chicken, fish or fresh fruits and veggies and I would suggest we solicit the vendors to give us their best price for those items. The funds would go directly to purchase the product and then to the end user. It would be the St. Luke’s model…100 percent of donations go to those in need and not to some general fund.
Thoughts?
Go Bills!!

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

Is this the most important fourth quarter in Bills history?

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

Now we need the Chargers to win tonight! Great win, Bills!!

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

We have The Beast. We must get six!

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

Big time play by MVP QB1 and how about Prayer? D needs a big stop here!!!

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

It is very cold outside and the demand for winter coats has never been greater for the staff at Colvin Cleaners as we are in the midst of our 30th annual Coats 4 Kids program. Colvin Cleaners, WIVB, Channel 4 and the West Herr Auto Group hosts a Live Drive collection today from 4:00-6:30 at Lockport's West Herr Subaru dealership, 6856 S. Transit Road. Coats, hats, scarves, boots, and gloves of all sizes will be accepted. Those who donate during today's live drive will receive a Colvin Cleaners $10 voucher.

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

Oh no!

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

Are you kidding me? Throw the ball or Josh run

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

One of my most cherished sports memorabilia are two seats from War Memorial Stadium after the Buffalo Bisons left for then Pilot Field.
Ironically, that was the original home of the Buffalo Bills. Our beloved Bills second home, Highmark Stadium and the former Rich Stadium will close for good in January.
Erie County announced a program to get the history-filled seats and mementos in the hands of the fans.
I heard Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz say, "As Bills fans, we have all taken great memories of epic moments at Highmark Stadium. For many fans, those memories were made even more special because of where they were in the stadium when Bills history happened. Now, thanks to this great partnership, fans can bring a piece of Highmark Stadium home with them and ensure that memories of the old stadium never fade away but are cherished forever."
The County Executive said "Erie County will receive all of the net proceeds. Purchased seats can be picked up in spring 2026.” Our CE said the funds will go into the county’s General Fund.
I have a problem with that.
I would have rather donate these net proceeds or a large portion of them to local charities with one caveat—the charities must use the dough on services and not on administrative fees.
If that were the case I would send a request that the Debbie Billoni Food Fund to benefit the thousands of meals served daily at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy (https://t.co/FeipBzmWKa) would receive all or a portion of the funds.

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

Maybe the worst called play of the season

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

One year ago this morning The Lord called you home.

You are not physically by my side for the remainder of the journey here; you are now the Angel on my shoulder.

RIP Debbie.

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

My newest advocacy campaign is to convince The Town of Grand Island Board and whomever else is needed to make a decision to rename The Linear Bike Path to the Debbie Billoni Bike Path in honor of my late wife, an active cyclist and an at-large member of the town's long range planning committee. The level, paved bike path runs north from Bedell to East-West Park Road in Buckhorn Island State Park. It is part of the Greenway Commission's Shoreline Trail of nearly 80 miles from Brant to Youngstown in Niagara County. Debbie's legacy on Grand Island needs to be remembered. Wish me luck!
https://t.co/94zy2FSIde

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

I'm proud to be part of EC Clerk Mickey Kearns' ZOMBIE Initiative. If you have vacant and abandoned homes in your community send the address and zip code to [email protected]. Sadly, there are more than 9,000 tax zombie homes in the county where they owe more than $500 in unpaid county taxes. EC charges 18 percent interest and they have no payment plan nor are they chasing these dollars. According to records Clerk Kearns found, the County is sitting on $50,741,812.35 in receivables! Why aren't these funds being collected? Contact your Legislator or the County Executive.

'Something's got to be done': Town of Tonawanda resident raises concerns about zombie property https://t.co/WbEW24Jbfm

[Michael J. Billoni, Billoni Associates @MikeBilloni]

God certainly has interesting ways to challenge our faith.
Mickey, Sydnie, two other family members are members of the St. Luke's Mission of Mercy family on the East Side of Buffalo and their home burned to the ground Saturday.https://t.co/VkRreB9ky6