Two Bills Drive

Buffalo Bills News and Discussion

Archives for April 2022

Bills Signed the Best Deal in Sports Business History; Impact of Deshaun Watson Contract

‘Even accepting the fact that New York had to give away public money, I think Hochul needs better negotiators. Couldn’t the state of New York have negotiated say, half a billion rather than $850 million? The Bills will eventually be sold for a price north of $4 billion, and the state of New York’s share of that will be $0.00. NFL owners socialize cost and privatize profit. What a business.’

New York’s Billion-Dollar Stadium Boondoggle

‘More importantly, a new stadium will not revive Buffalo, one of the nation’s poorest cities. Sports stadiums are not local economic development tools. On this point, economists on the left and right are in agreement. Fans spend most of their money inside the stadium, not outside it. The revenue a sports franchise creates is poured back into the team. Jobs are generated for construction and concession work, but not much else. Given the aggressive tax subsidy, it’s unlikely a new Bills stadium can ever generate enough economic activity for the region to pay taxpayers back what the Pegulas have devoured.’

The Bills Stadium Deal Is Both Indefensible and Understandable

‘Which is to say, if the Bills left Buffalo, that would be all she wrote for NFL football there. And if you argue, not unreasonably, that there shouldn’t be a team there given the city’s recent trajectory, well, I’m gonna bet you don’t have any sort of connection to Buffalo. The Bills are such an inextricable part of the city’s and the region’s (and, Hochul would argue, the state’s) identity that losing them would be devastating — even more from a cultural standpoint than a financial one. “This is the No. 1 fear of every Buffaloan,” Ryan told us. “Losing the team is something you can’t ever fix.”’

Poloncarz: Bills’ initial stadium ask was ‘no team contribution’

‘“You never get everything you want in a negotiation,” Poloncarz wrote in a series of tweets about the stadium agreement. “We didn’t. The Pegulas didn’t (their original ask was for NYS and County to build a stadium in OP w/no team contribution). It’s a compromise. The team stays. That’s a win.”’

Bills add depth at offensive tackle by bringing back Bobby Hart

‘The team announced the signing of the 27-year-old offensive tackle to a one-year contract Monday. The move gives the Bills a second backup offensive tackle. The only other reserve tackle on the roster is second-year man Tommy Doyle, who is the current favorite to be the third, “swing” tackle for the upcoming season.’

NFL draft preview: 2022 edge rushers class loaded

‘With the way AFC teams have built up their offenses, Beane believes in countering by getting players who can get opposing quarterbacks to the ground. The addition of veteran pass rusher Von Miller this free agency is a testament to that need. Now, even with the investment in Miller, the Bills could still add depth, and won’t rule other continuing the defense end streak.’

Poloncarz: Bills’ owners sought 100% public financing; stadium condition impacted talks

‘Poloncarz also publicly confirmed for the first time that Bills owners Kim and Terry Pegula initially wanted the public to pay 100% of the cost to construct the stadium in Orchard Park, a site ultimately selected because it was less expensive and faster than building a stadium near downtown, considered impractical given the time frame imposed by the condition of Highmark Stadium.’

Source: Buffalo Bills hold private workout with 2022 NFL Draft’s top tight end

‘McBride has been the top tight end on most expert draft boards leading up to this month’s draft. Dane Brugler of The Athletic projects the Colorado State tight end being selected on day two of the draft. In his draft guide, Brugler referred to McBride as a better version of Hayden Hurst, a former 1st round pick.’

New Stadium Deal For Buffalo Bills: Community Benefit Or Corporate Boondoggle?

‘The 9 or 10 regular season games that the Bills would play in the new stadium aren’t enough to justify the $850-million taxpayer-funded investment. Many additional events and gatherings will need to be attracted to fill remaining dates on the calendar each year. Development of restaurants, bars, retail and entertainment outlets, and possibly some residential complexes—none of which were mentioned in the initial plan—will be of benefit, as well. Even so, why hand over hundreds-of-millions of dollar in public money to an infrastructure development project centering on a private business already worth billions of dollars?’

Bills bring back Bobby Hart on one-year deal

‘The Tennessee Titans signed Hart off the Bills practice squad in October. He played three games for them, including one start, but was then released leading to the Bills signing him once again to the practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for one game, and played only one snap.’