As The Dallas Cowboys move into a new stadium, a profile of the company that helped build it is suggesting that the firm has been approached about a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills .
"We’ve been working with the [Minnesota] Vikings for about nine months, and they are still trying to get their funding. The [San Francisco] 49ers and the Buffalo Bills are thinking about doing something (emphasis added)and also the [San Diego] Chargers and maybe the Atlanta Falcons. Those are the potential new stadiums in the NFL."
Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold says the team doesn't know Williams and has had " no discussions with anyone regarding a new stadium."
Adds Grant Loomis, a spokesman for Erie County Executive Chris Collins: " The county executive in numerous meetings with the leadership of the Bills has never discussed building a new stadium, and in fact, what they have discussed is the condition of the current stadium. ... Ralph Wilson stadium is in great condition."
The Buffalo Bills lease with Erie County expires after the 2012 season. If past year's experience holds true, new negotiations would begin in 2011.
Sports analyst Jim Kelley tells WBEN that if the architect has been approached about a stadium for the Bills it is most likely as part of a request for drawings, possibly to bolster someone's proposal on either sides of the U.S. Canadian border.
"It's pure speculation at this point," Kelley says, adding that there have always been rumors that if the Bills wanted to remain in to remain in Western New York long term, that they would be agitating for a new stadium.
"But they could be looking at anything . they could be looking at structural repairs, and having an architect look at what the costs could be... but in this current economic climate, and certainly without any conversations between the county and the city and the state, it is not likely that this is a full blown plan at this point," Kelley says.
"In Toronto there have been several rumors, longstanding rumors that if an NFL team were to put roots there, not just the people who are interested now, but anyone who wanted to bring one in would understand that the Rogers Centre would be seen as a bit too small... and an antiquated stadium.. for corporate boxes and so forth."
The Buffalo Bills have begun to play a series of eight games over a five-year period at Rogers Centre in Toronto that began last season, and there has long been speculation that various owners groups there would be interested in taking the team north should it ever become available.
Team owner Ralph Wilson, 90, has often said that the team would not move while he is alive.
In 2007, state senator Antoine Thompson advocated for the possibility of building a new stadium on Buffalo's waterfront, and the Buffalo City Council has looked at the possibility, of some day eventually, placing one downtown on the site of the Perry St. municipal housing projects.
Ralph Wilson Stadium was built in 1973, with significant upgrades included as part of the new lease with Erie County negotiated in 1998.
Why even consider a new stadium when ownership may change and Wilson is already crying poor. We need to stop funding a billionaires plaything. Win something and then maybe you get a stadium. Even then taxpayers should not foot the bill for the Bills or any other Pro team.
06/05/2009 8:47AM
Comment
It's just unfortunate that the Buffalo Bills didn't build the stadium on the waterfront where it should have been in the first place. Maybe if they did we would still have a downtown worth going to. It's a shame politics won that one.
06/05/2009 8:57AM
warren galloway
this is crazy
06/05/2009 9:06AM
bflo bills
????????
06/05/2009 9:12AM
Are they nuts?
Let's talk about it after they bring home the trophy!
06/05/2009 9:16AM
New Stadium
As things seem to go in Buffalo, I'm sure the powers that be will come up with all the funding and streamroll a waterfront stadium through, but funding for the more important things that matter to the Buffalo region at-large will still go unanswered, unfunded, debated for years to come.
06/05/2009 9:57AM
Grinch
If the Bills want a new home, let them pay for it....Since the average taxpayer cannot afford to attend the games, they should not be forced to pay for the place to play. If a new stadium is built, it will likely seat more than it does now (ie: more income) and will thus be harder to sell out, leading to fewer games on TV. Plus, who is going to own the team after Ralph dies? Will that person keep the team here? I say NO to a new stadium, even with a guarantee that the team remains in WNY.
06/05/2009 10:22AM
Joe
Are you kidding me? Go to TO!
06/05/2009 12:06PM
Peter
A new stadium must come with iron clad no way "in you know what" can the team be moved for 25 years. If Ralph and the NFL don't go for the deal, let them move now.
06/05/2009 12:29PM
well
NYS taxpayers are already paying for the new mets and yankees stadiums, might as well pay for one that we can actually enjoy here in buffalo.
06/05/2009 1:35PM
Bill
How about the Niagara Bills and build one on the old Summit mall site near the Niagara falls Airport in Wheatfield!
06/05/2009 4:18PM
Joe
Whatever the case the BILLLS are GOING to THE SUPER GAME (obviously we cant say Bowl)
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