E-Mail
Print
"The Cuomo administration says that because the stadium is publicly owned, using one of the luxury boxes to promote the state is legitimate. But critics have seen such deals as perks for elected officials or their top aides." The Times writes.
The box will be under the control of New York State's Empire Development Corp, and CEO Kenneth Adams is quoted by the Times as saying it "will be a great way to show off Buffalo and the region to businesses seeking to relocate to our state.
“We are proud of the Bills and western New York, and we want business leaders from around the country to know what a great place it is to invest and grow jobs.” he said in the Times.
The Cuomo administration says in some cases public officials will be asked to pay face value costs of a luxury box seat when they use the suite.
The deal came under criticism from former State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, who the Times said was opposed earlier to a similar box for New York City's Mayor Bloomberg at the new Yankee Stadium downstate.
“No government agency needs to lease a luxury suite to market upstate New York,” Brodsky told the Times. “If they need to buy tickets, that’s fine, then they buy them on an as-needed basis. The cost of the luxury suite is being paid by the taxpayer, remember that.”
