Wright is leading the new stadium effort. Julie Jensen, Washington’s senior vice president of external engagement and communications, said team President Jason Wright was not available to speak at this time. Ron Raccuia, executive vice president for Pegula Sports and Entertainment, the team’s parent company, and who is leading the project, did not return emails for comment. In addition, the Bills have selected Legends Global Planning as owner’s representative in their effort to build a new stadium, sources said. Legends Global Sales, the sports agency co-owned by Jones’ Dallas Cowboys, has been selected to sell sponsorships and premium seats for prospective new venues for the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Football Team, according to industry sources. Jerry Jones’ reach in NFL stadium development has expanded to Buffalo and the D.C. (Getty Images) Sports agency will handle sponsorships, premium for prospective Buffalo, Washington venues If the decision was made to include a design that could one day incorporate a roof, it would cost $109 million more - not including the cost of the eventual roof.Ĭopyright 2021 The Associated Press.The Bills are considering replacing Highmark Stadium near Buffalo, which opened in 1973 and is among the oldest NFL stadiums. Highmark Stadium is mostly open air, with few seats protected from the weather, which the Bills say lead to lower attendance for late-season games.ĪECOM projected adding a roof would add close to $300 million in additional costs. The Bills’ proposal does not include a roof, but features a curved design which would protect about 80% of the seats from the elements. “There are significant intangible benefits associated with serving as the home of an NFL franchise that can impact policy decision related to investment in a stadium and surrounding neighborhoods,” the study said. Though more expensive, a downtown site would be projected to generate about $53 million in additional tax revenue over a 30-year span.ĪECOM could not project how much of those revenues would be lost if the Bills relocated out of state. The study finds the Bills bring in about $26.6 million in annual tax revenue. Hochul, who is from Buffalo, is well aware of the time constraints, saying last week it is her intention to have a deal in place in time for the budget. The Bills, meanwhile, are concerned they might have go back to square one in negotiations should there be another change in governor.
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With Hochul up for election next fall, it’s unlikely she will have time for negotiations while campaigning. Kathy Hochul to include stadium funding in her budget proposal for approval in April. Having a deal in place by January would allow Gov. The threat of relocation is a possibility - even though it has not been raised in talks, and Raccuia maintains the Bills are solely focused on reaching an agreement with state and county officials to help finance the new stadium.
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Raccuia already has said PSE has no intention of renewing the lease once it expires in July 2023 if no deal is in place. PSE is the Bills’ parent company, with Raccuia overseeing stadium negotiations. “If we get to January and there’s no new deal done, you should really be concerned,” Pegula Sports and Entertainment executive vice president Ron Raccuia told The Associated Press last weekend. Though the Bills’ lease on their current stadium doesn’t expire for 21 more months, time is running short on reaching a financing agreement. “We are confident that the results of this analysis will be a valuable tool as the state, Erie County and the Buffalo Bills work together to make sure the team remains in the region in a facility that Bills fans and New Yorkers can be proud of for years to come,” said Kevin Younis, CEO of Empire State Development, which commissioned the study. The key issue is how much money the state and county will be required to commit, with the Bills anticipating taxpayers will be asked to bear more than 50% of the cost.