wppete Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/04/01/buffalo-politician-why-wouldnt-you-renovate-new-era-field/ - Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula are still evaluating whether to try to build a “scaled-down” new stadium or just renovate the one they have. But one local politician has made it clear he thinks upgrading New Era Field is the better alternative for his constituents (not all of whom are football fans). “You have to make the determination of do you build a new stadium or do you renovate the existing stadium and get the best bang for the buck,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told the Buffalo News. “We know if we can extend the lifespan of that stadium for another 25 years, and if it worked for our market, why would we not do that?” The Pegulas clearly aren’t going to get into an arms race with the Stan Kroenkes and Jerry Joneses of the world to build a new place in Western New York, and have adjusted expectations accordingly. There’s also the matter of a small trend of cities (other than Las Vegas) becoming more conservative with what they’ll dole out for stadiums. While the Chiefs got $250 million in public money for a $375 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium in 2010, the Dolphins’ $500 million upgrade for Hard Rock Stadium came from the place it ostensibly should — owner Stephen Ross’ pocket. Poloncarz pointed out that the Pegulas have already invested $36 million of their own money (along with $130 million of local money in the last lease) to upgrade the place already. He’s also skeptical of local plans to connect a new stadium to a convention center. “If you’re going to build a new stadium, you’re going to spend at least a billion dollars, even if it’s not the fanciest stadium in the world,” he said. “It will be expensive, but rarely do you ever see an economic impact in a positive manner for community.” Regardless the wheres and the whens (and the more important how muches), the Pegulas have yet to raise the possibility of moving the team if they don’t get what they want.
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 (edited) Just build a new stadium next to the old stadium!! With the millions spent every year upgrading training facilities you keep the stadium where it is. JMO Edited April 1, 2019 by ShadyBillsFan 3
Cripple Creek Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 Thanks for the link. Consider changing the title to Erie County politician though. Quite a difference between the two here. 3
CommonCents Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 Who’s decision is it? Do the other owners have to approve of the Pegula’s decision?
PromoTheRobot Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 Part or what made the old Rich Stadium so cheap to build ($23MM in 1973) is that most of it is dug into the ground. You can't do that downtown because of the water table. 1
Jpsredemption Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 No you must let the nfl strong arm you into building a multi billion dollar facility even though you sell out all your games, have a recently updated stadium, and have great sight lines from every angle. 4
PromoTheRobot Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Jpsredemption said: No you must let the nfl strong arm you into building a multi billion dollar facility even though you sell out all your games, have a recently updated stadium, and have great sight lines from every angle. We don't sell out all our games. In fact in 2018 we were 28th in percentage of capacity. http://www.espn.com/nfl/attendance/_/year/2018/sort/homePct Edited April 1, 2019 by PromoTheRobot 4
apuszczalowski Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 14 minutes ago, Jpsredemption said: No you must let the nfl strong arm you into building a multi billion dollar facility even though you sell out all your games, have a recently updated stadium, and have great sight lines from every angle. Except that when you sell out your games it's at the lowest ticket prices in the league, without any of the extra money makers like PSLs and a bunch of executive luxury boxes, your updates are minor and still font bring it up to the level of some of the other lower end stadiums, and the league doesnt care about 'sight lines'. And yes, I know some of those things, like PSLs and luxury boxes dont have as much of an effect on the league revenue as it's not all shared, but when the owners make more money, the value of their franchise is higher increasing the value of the league and other franchises.
Captain Hindsight Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 20 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said: We don't sell out all our games. In fact in 2018 we were 28th in percentage of capacity. http://www.espn.com/nfl/attendance/_/year/2018/sort/homePct More expensive tickets wont help that. I was on the fence of renewing this year because of cost. If PSL was required, id be out without a second thought 1
JMF2006 Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 Give us new sidewalks on both sides of Abbott Rd and call it done. They play football there all we need are seats a field and cold beer 6 1
Mike in Horseheads Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 1 hour ago, ShadyBillsFan said: Just build a new stadium next to the old stadium!! With the millions spent every year upgrading training facilities you keep the stadium where it is. JMO Then why don't you just give the current field a major redo if your staying there? 3
BarleyNY Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 Big issue that often gets lost is “IF it’s possible to extend New Era Field’s life by 25 years.” If the underlying infrastructure isn’t likely to last that long, then that’s it. It has to be a new stadium. The question just becomes where. 2
Logic Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 I just don't think this is what the NFL wants, and at the end of the day, thats who the Bills need to make happy. I HAVE wondered, though, why they don't do the old "parking lot stadium swap-a-roo" like the Broncos did. Build a new stadium on the current site of the New Era parking lots, and turn the current New Era Field into new parking lots. Orchard Park is just such a perfect location for the Bills stadium. Why change a thing? On the other hand, I think the NFL wants the stadium downtown. And a multi-use downtown stadium (with at least a retractable roof, as gross as that sounds) is probably the best way to get the funds needed to build the thing. As long as the Bills stay in Buffalo, I'll be fine with whatever ultimately needs to happen to get to that point. 2
badassgixxer05 Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 Bills fans would show up to watch the bills play in an empty parking lot with lawn chairs. As long as there was beer... Who needs a fancy Billion dollar stadium.. Thats not our style.. ? 4
Kirby Jackson Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 Just follow the money!! This conversation isn’t about fan experience or watching the game. The Pegula’s, NFL and other owners want the Bills to make more money. That’s the reason that this discussion is being had. NY and Erie County want to spend as little as possible on this endeavor. There is NOTHING else relevant to the conversation. It’s just a matter of where in the middle they meet. 5 1
wagon127 Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 (edited) I feel like the sabres were in the new arena for 7 or 8 years, and people were still crying it wasn't the Aud. It'll be the same for a new Bills stadium. My main concern is, what is the currently time table they are giving the foundation of New Era Field? If it is 10 years, you probably have to build a new stadium. Edited April 1, 2019 by wagon127
Albany,n.y. Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 36 minutes ago, Logic said: I just don't think this is what the NFL wants, and at the end of the day, thats who the Bills need to make happy. I HAVE wondered, though, why they don't do the old "parking lot stadium swap-a-roo" like the Broncos did. Build a new stadium on the current site of the New Era parking lots, and turn the current New Era Field into new parking lots. Orchard Park is just such a perfect location for the Bills stadium. Why change a thing? On the other hand, I think the NFL wants the stadium downtown. And a multi-use downtown stadium (with at least a retractable roof, as gross as that sounds) is probably the best way to get the funds needed to build the thing. As long as the Bills stay in Buffalo, I'll be fine with whatever ultimately needs to happen to get to that point. No they don't. Once the Pegulas got approved & owned the team, they can do anything they want in regards to their stadium and the NFL can't stop them. The NFL put up with Al Davis for years because they knew they couldn't do anything to him if he made a decision that was, what he thought, best for the Raiders. Do you think the NFL loves the road revenue when they play in LA against the Chargers in that sub-minor league stadium for 3 years? If the Bills decide to renovate New Era stadium, all the NFL can do is send the opponents there and suck it up. 1
nucci Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 1 hour ago, Jpsredemption said: No you must let the nfl strong arm you into building a multi billion dollar facility even though you sell out all your games, have a recently updated stadium, and have great sight lines from every angle. do the Bills sell out all their games?
Seasons1992 Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 16 minutes ago, wagon127 said: I feel like the sabres were in the new arena for 7 or 8 years, and people were still crying it wasn't the Aud. It'll be the same for a new Bills stadium. My main concern is, what is the currently time table they are giving the foundation of New Era Field? If it is 10 years, you probably have to build a new stadium. Someone in the organization or in county government said that with the renovations done a few years ago, the stadium had "good bones" and should last another 50 years. There's no reason to change things now. Things I would change: 1. SEATS FOR EVERYONE. I'm sick of the bleachers. Reduce capacity, give me a damn seat. I'll pay more. 2. A "roof" over the seated portion. Not a real roof, but something like a Premier League/MLS soccer stadium. Keep it open air. 3. Turn off the damn train sound on 3rd downs. Am I really asking for all that much? 3 2
RyanC883 Posted April 1, 2019 Posted April 1, 2019 45 minutes ago, Logic said: I just don't think this is what the NFL wants, and at the end of the day, thats who the Bills need to make happy. I HAVE wondered, though, why they don't do the old "parking lot stadium swap-a-roo" like the Broncos did. Build a new stadium on the current site of the New Era parking lots, and turn the current New Era Field into new parking lots. Orchard Park is just such a perfect location for the Bills stadium. Why change a thing? On the other hand, I think the NFL wants the stadium downtown. And a multi-use downtown stadium (with at least a retractable roof, as gross as that sounds) is probably the best way to get the funds needed to build the thing.As long as the Bills stay in Buffalo, I'll be fine with whatever ultimately needs to happen to get to that point. Totally agree with this Logic. (see what I did there!). We should all be thrilled the Bills are staying in Buffalo. Lets never lose sight of that. We all have different opinions on where the stadium should be, if it should be a dome or open, etc. (I favor dome, anywhere, because it allows out of town folks to more easily convince their friends/colleagues to go to late season games). But at the end of the day, I'll still be going up for games to watch the Buffalo Bills, in Buffalo!!! 1
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