Podcast Summary: Buffalo Plus LIVE EVENT – How the Channel Began & Covering the Buffalo Bills

Podcast: Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills podcast
Episode: BUFFALO PLUS LIVE EVENT: How the channel began and what it’s like to cover the Buffalo Bills
Date: August 31, 2023
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes
Venue: Live audience recording (Three Heads Brewery, Rochester, NY)

Overview

This live episode of Buffalo Plus brings together hosts Mike, Jenna, and Dan, for a special, interactive Q&A with Bills fans. The event explores the origins of the channel, the changing landscape of media coverage of the Buffalo Bills, and provides behind-the-scenes insights into covering the team day-to-day. Through audience questions and lively discussion, the episode highlights the evolution of sports journalism, the community around Buffalo Plus and the Bills, and the unique personalities and relationships among the team covering the team.

Key Topics and Insights

1. The Birth & Evolution of Buffalo Plus (00:34–07:00)

• Origins: Started as a digital extension for TV journalists to reach fans where they are—on their phones and online. Name chosen to skirt “Bills” trademark rules; colors reminiscent without infringement.
  • “This channel started out as a crazy idea, and it is built into having this live show here, which is really cool.” (Dan, 00:53)
• Shift in Consumption: Recognizing that fans now want content in many formats, not just TV.
  • “The world has changed in the way you consume products...every person in this room has a phone.” (Mike, 02:37)
• YouTube & Social Media Push: Pushed internally to get on YouTube—leveraging the team’s natural on-air banter and Mike’s storytelling.

2. What Makes Covering the Bills Unique (05:14–12:35)

• Behind-the-Scenes Access: The team shares what fans don’t see, including sideline experiences and the ways access is both unique and limited.
• Community Connection: Emphasizes Bills Mafia’s fervor and how covering a winning team changes the job.
• Cultural Shift with Leadership: The difference strong leadership (McDermott & Bean) has made, compared to earlier regimes.
  • “It’s no big secret...they were good when they had great leadership, they were bad when they didn’t.” (Mike, 08:18)

3. Memorable Moments Covering the Team (10:35–17:49)

• 2017 Playoff Locker Room: Vivid retelling of the excitement outside the locker room when the Bills broke their playoff drought.
  • “Then we hear the locker room...erupt before we even know what happened.” (Mike, 11:16)
• Drafting Josh Allen: Stories from the 2018 draft; Jenna recounts giving “wings with blue cheese” advice to Allen’s handlers.
  • “I was like, just so you know, it’s not ‘Buffalo wings,’ it’s just wings...you eat those wings with blue cheese.” (Jenna, 16:35)
• Josh Allen’s Growth: Reflections on the skepticism around Allen’s pick and his evolution into a superstar and Buffalo icon.

4. Leadership & Team Culture (18:13–22:41)

• Sean McDermott’s Dual Role: Discussion on McDermott calling defensive plays and how returning to his roots could benefit the team.
  • “I think Sean McDermott getting back to being a defensive coordinator gets him back to doing all the little things that made him the head coach...” (Dan, 18:47)
• Trust and Coaching Evolution: The need for mutual trust between coaching staff, and how McDermott’s meticulous and disciplined nature influences the team’s culture.
  • “Sean McDermott is the most meticulous man.” (Jenna, 21:09)
• Personal Anecdotes: Jenna shares McDermott’s eating and music quirks; “He likes Yacht Rock, which I was not expecting.” (Jenna, 21:11)

5. Inspiration & Industry Evolution (23:52–28:14)

• Intergenerational Teamwork: Each host draws inspiration from the others; Mike’s experience and flexibility, Dan’s digital fluency, and Jenna’s storytelling instincts.
• Role Models: Cites Tom Rinaldi, Suzy Kolber for storytelling; Chris Long, Pat McAfee for content style.
• Changing Media: Contrast between TV’s formality and YouTube’s direct-to-fan approach (“When it’s Buffalo Plus, it’s about the Bills.” – Mike, 27:00)

6. Audience Q&A Highlights

a. Defensive Play Calling (30:05–33:48)

• Discussion about the challenges replacing Tremaine Edmunds at MLB and play-caller.
  • “I would be surprised if Sean McDermott...makes somebody else call the plays. I think he’s just—they’re going to have to live with what they have.” (Dan, 32:01)
  • “Bills are very frustrated...they wanted this to already be shored up.” (Jenna, 32:06)

b. Covering Game Days (34:22–35:30)

• The fun and unpredictability of traveling for games, with Jenna prioritizing “weather and food” in her assignments.
  • “Jenna’s priority is usually weather and food.” (Mike, 34:59)

c. The Stefon Diggs Situation & Team Dynamics (36:17–41:41)

• Addressing Stefon Diggs’ supposed discontent—refuting national rumors, highlighting his leadership and competitive fire.
  • “Since he’s arrived in Buffalo, it’s been nothing on the field...that has shown he’s been anything less than a phenomenal teammate and leader.” (Dan, 36:36)
  • “He poured water right over the fire. He completely changed the narrative...I 100% want to retire a Buffalo Bill.” (Jenna, 38:25)
  • “He is fiery. It means every rep, every practice, your footwork, all this stuff...” (Jenna, 40:02)

d. Addressing Penalties & Discipline (42:26–47:38)

• On curbing penalties:
  • “They were running laps at practice the other day because of the penalties. Why they didn’t want us telling everybody, I did see a couple of guys tweeted it out...They were doing that as at least a visible way of saying to them, fellas, yeah, it was embarrassing...” (Mike, 44:05)
  • Discussion on accountability—how discipline is enforced and balanced by player leadership.

e. Concerns for the Season (48:44–53:43)

• Dan: Offense under Ken Dorsey’s leadership.
  • “My biggest concern is Ken Dorsey...I was afraid of giving that—the keys to that car—to a guy with a learner’s permit.” (Dan, 49:53)
• Mike: Offensive line as a weak link.
  • “[It’s] like you have a Ferrari but lousy tires...” (Mike, 50:12)
• Jenna: Middle linebacker position remains unsettled.
  • “That to me is really the question mark of this defense...You don’t have your guy yet, and the clock is ticking.” (Jenna, 52:12)

f. The Future of Buffalo Plus (53:52–58:37)

• Growing reach and impact beyond Western NY—Kansas City, London, America-wide fandom.
  • “People all across the country coming up to us about Buffalo Plus...We’re just at the tip of the iceberg.” (Jenna, 56:49)
• Commitment to more live events, content variety (betting advice, opponent interviews), and building the community.

g. Leadership Sponsor Perspective (59:17–61:36)

• Special guest Greg Connors (Connors & Ferris, sponsor) speaks on working with McDermott and Bean: their competitiveness, focus on community, and impact on the Bills’ relevance—even outside Buffalo.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We try to inform people in the most entertaining way possible...you might even begrudgingly be entertained.” (Mike, 06:21)
• “I think we have a lot of fun covering a team that means so much to the community, and I think the community that we’ve created around this has been totally unexpected, but such a bright spot.” (Jenna, 56:49)
• “My biggest concern is Ken Dorsey...I loved the Bills’ previous offensive coordinator, Brian Dable...I would have loved to see a veteran, a well-established OC, come in.” (Dan, 48:46)
• “He [Stefon Diggs] is so ultra-competitive...that is leadership. Those young guys are watching him.” (Mike, 40:34)
• “The plan going forward is more Buffalo Plus, more video, and a ton more money for everybody up here.” (Mike, 58:33)
• “Leadership...It's great to have great leadership in Buffalo these days. We had a couple rocky years where it was the Ferrari came in town, but the person driving it did have a learner's permit and they had no tires on the car.” (Greg Connors, 60:39)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:34 – Welcome & Buffalo Plus origins
• 05:14 – Access & insider coverage
• 10:35 – 2017 Playoffs & covering success
• 12:35 – Josh Allen’s selection & early impressions
• 18:13 – Audience Q: McDermott calling defensive plays
• 23:52 – Audience Q: Media inspiration & adapting to new formats
• 30:05 – Audience Q: Defensive play-caller concerns
• 36:00 – Audience Q: Stefon Diggs and team chemistry
• 42:26 – Discipline, penalties, and McDermott’s approach
• 48:44 – Concerns heading into the season (Offensive line, OC, MLB)
• 53:52 – Audience Q: Future of Buffalo Plus
• 59:17 – Sponsor segment: Leadership perspective

Conclusion

This lively episode gives fans a rare, authentic look not just at the Buffalo Bills, but at the evolving world of sports coverage—and the dynamic team behind Buffalo Plus. Through interactive discussion, candor about behind-the-scenes access, and relatable anecdotes, Mike, Jenna, and Dan illuminate how trust, leadership, and adaptability drive both the Bills’ and the channel’s ongoing success.