‘“I fundamentally believe that transparency in economic development deals should be our first priority,” Krueger (D-Manhattan) said. “These stadium deals keep blowing up in our faces, but we don’t learn from them.”’
Archives for March 2022
Throwing a challenge flag on Bills deal
‘The consulting report by AECOM states that the team generates $26.7 million annually in revenue for the state, county and town, and that if the team leaves this revenue will disappear. If the stadium is built and the team stays, the report claims that this annual stream will be sufficient to pay off the $850 million of public debt from the construction. If interest and principal repayment amounts to, say, 5%, that would cost $42.5 million a year, yielding a $15.8 million annual shortfall.’
Hochul’s husband to potentially benefit big from Buffalo stadium costing NY $850 million
‘Bill Hochul is senior vice president and general counsel for Delaware North, the major food concessionaire at the Buffalo Bills’ current Highmark Stadium.’
Gov. Hochul’s giveaway for the rich leaves a nearly $1B Buffalo bill for taxpayers
‘The scheme creates a new state entity, the Erie County Stadium Corp., that will lease the arena to the Bills while being on the hook for millions in yearly upkeep, maintenance and repairs. It’s a ridiculous giveaway to a wealthy and successful sports franchise that likely wasn’t going to leave the area.’
Hochul’s Buffalo stadium plan should be blocked
‘It’s unclear why billionaire team owners Terry and Kim Pegula, whose primary residence is in Florida, or the wealthy National Football League, shouldn’t put up more money, and how real the threat is that the team might leave. Taxpayers deserve to see all agreements, financing details and documents. In a best-case scenario, they’d get to vote on a referendum, as Nassau County residents did in 2011 when they rejected a publicly-financed Islanders arena.’
Editorial: A bad deal for taxpayers
‘By contrast, Ms. Hochul’s deal with the Bills hands over $600 million in state money plus an additional $250 million from Erie County on the promise of an estimated 10,000 temporary construction jobs. Since it is merely a replacement for an existing stadium, the plan offers little in the way of new tax revenue or growth.’
The NFL Rewrites Its Overtime Rules After Playoff Outrage
‘Now, both teams will be guaranteed a possession in overtime—of postseason games only. The change comes after the Buffalo Bills were famously never afforded that opportunity during an instant-classic playoff game versus the Kansas City Chiefs in January that highlighted the imbalanced nature of the most important and competitive games in the sport.’
Bills Deal Renews Debate Over Public Dollars For Arenas
‘State Assemblymember Ron T. Kim, a Queens Democrat, used a curse word on Twitter to refer to the proposal. Sochie Nnaemeka, the director of the influential Working Families Party, called the deal “a continuation of trickle-down economic development schemes that have enriched wealthy investors on the backs of Black, brown, and working class communities.”’
NFL admits Tyreek Hill should have been flagged for taunting for throwing up peace sign vs. Bills in playoffs
‘On the play, Hill flashed his patented “peace” sign at Bills defenders at about the 16-yard-line before completing the 64-yard touchdown that gave Kansas City a 33-29 lead. A taunting penalty would not have wiped out the score; it would have either been assessed on the point-after attempt or the ensuing kickoff.’
New NFL overtime rules, explained: How Bills vs. Chiefs helped change playoff OT format
‘The measure needed 24 yes votes to be approved. It received 29 votes in the affirmative, as just three owners voted against the rule change.’
Goodell: Thrilled Bills will remain in Orchard Park for, ‘at least, my lifetime’
‘“I think the Buffalo Bills mean a great deal to the community, and I know that community means a great deal to the NFL. And so I believed firmly that the stadium was necessary. I said some time in the last year or so that a new stadium was really going to be required. The current stadium was nearing the end of its useful life. We needed a new stadium to keep the Buffalo Bills there, there’s no other place to play.”‘
NFL owners, personnel react to new Bills stadium agreement
‘”The project itself is a really fun project… I’m leaving it to [Terry and Kim Pegula] to give the details, but I know this: They’ve thought a lot about it and taken a lot of input from the fans.”‘
Opinion: Finally, we know our Bills are here to stay
‘But now, we don’t have to answer those questions anymore. We don’t even have to ponder them.’
Buffalo Bills’ brass speaks highly of WR Stefon Diggs at Owners’ Meetings
‘Diggs has already been a part of a blockbuster trade once. And the value he’s brought to the Bills’ passing game during that span, and the relationships he’s built in Buffalo, another one likely isn’t in the cards.’
Sean McVay compares Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller to Spider-Man
‘“His production is special. But he’s one of those guys that just treats everyone so well. From the equipment staff to the PR team, everyone is going to love Von Miller and you’re going to really love what he can do on the football field,” McVay added. “He is such a unique talent. I was talking to Brandon Staley [Chargers HC] about this yesterday and he described him as Spider-Man and I think that’s a good way to describe him because of his body control and his athleticism, his flexibility, his ability to close and finish out plays. He was a big reason we were able to win and he’s going to do a great job for the Buffalo Bills.”’