The Star-Ledger-USA Today Sports
The Buffalo Bills are one of those small market teams that make the NFL special. Buffalo has been home to the franchise for the last 53 years, and it looks like the team will be staying there for at least another 10.
On Monday, League owners approved the terms and conditions of the Bills’ new lease agreement at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The deal is for 10 years and $271 million dollars.
Now that the deal has been approved by the NFL, it now only has to pass through the State of New York and Erie County, which are basically formalities at this point. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Erie County already agreed to a deal in principle this past December.
“I thank Commissioner Roger Goodell and the owners committee of the (NFL) for approving the agreement that keeps the Bills where they belong – in Buffalo. The agreement protects taxpayer dollars and puts in place a long-term plan for the team’s continued presence in Buffalo,” Cuomo said in a statement.
The governor is correct, the Bills do belong in Buffalo. They’re just one of those teams that shouldn’t move. When you think about Buffalo, the Bills are always the first thing that comes to mind. The two just go hand in hand, and the fans deserve to keep their team.
This new agreement also gets the Bills closer to getting their proposed $130 million dollars worth of stadium renovations. These renovations include upgrades to stadium technology, concessions, and handicap seating.
Ralph Wilson Stadium opened in 1973 (then called Rich Stadium), so clearly it’s time for some updates. All in all, this is great news for the NFL, and more importantly, the city of Buffalo. If any city deserves a team, it’s Buffalo.
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