Bills Have Austin On Relocation List If Buffalo Doesn\'t Build Stadium

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Buffalo Bills are trying to build a new $1.5 billion stadium and are seeking 100 percent funding from taxpayers for the construction. 

“An ownership source tells me that Austin is a possible destination – or threat – as one of the ‘other cities elsewhere that desire an NFL franchise and would pay handsomely for it,\'” writes Seth Wickersham.

The Raiders were connected to a possible relocation to San Antonio before they eventually settled on Las Vegas.

Austin is a television market for both the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans and it is likely they would try to block a move of a third franchise in the state. 

Terry and Kim Pegula purchased the Bills in 2014.

Via Seth Wickersham/ESPN

[HarthorneWingo]

Yo, I'm ready to move up to Bufallo and now the Bills are moving to Austin? Then Buffalo should get an NBA basketball team, again.

[23artest23]

I think that would be a complete shame if that were to happen. The Bills should always be the Buffalo Bills. If anything, start up a few new franchises and one could be Austin.

[Dennis 37]

Please explain why taxpayers should pay for the stadium? Will taxpayers get free tickets?

[Dennis 37]

Seems like socialism to me. Capitalists should pay for their own sports arenas.

[cheese318]

Please explain why taxpayers should pay for the stadium? Will taxpayers get free tickets?

When you have other cities just waiting in line to jump at the opportunity this may be the name of the game. It would be such a shame and bad look in my opinion if the league let Buffalo lose the Bills. Such a avid fan base that for the most part supports the team very strongly. If they wanna bring new teams in or locations maybe it’s time to add then to subtract but if the city doesn’t wanna build the infrastructure needed for the new state of the art stadiums then I have a strong feeling this could get ugly. Pretty sure ownership is local and they own the sabres so that would be a bad look to leave and still have a team in the city. Hopefully just posturing to get a deal done so BUF stays longterm

[puja21]

Please explain why taxpayers should pay for the stadium? Will taxpayers get free tickets?

When you have other cities just waiting in line to jump at the opportunity this may be the name of the game. It would be such a shame and bad look in my opinion if the league let Buffalo lose the Bills. Such a avid fan base that for the most part supports the team very strongly. If they wanna bring new teams in or locations maybe it’s time to add then to subtract but if the city doesn’t wanna build the infrastructure needed for the new state of the art stadiums then I have a strong feeling this could get ugly. Pretty sure ownership is local and they own the sabres so that would be a bad look to leave and still have a team in the city. Hopefully just posturing to get a deal done so BUF stays longterm

Asking for 100% tax payer funding AKA $1.5B (400M of which is supposed to go to the NHL Sabres franchise they also own) is just the start of negotiations IMO

No stadium in pro sports history has ever exceeded 70% funded

I agree it would be a disaster for the league, the community, and even for the owner (who personally who considers himself a lifelong diehard fan)

My issue is more w/ the amount

Pittsburgh built BOTH Heinze and PNC for barely 400M (adjusted for inflation)
Jerry built the monstrosity for $1B

Lower your expectations. Buffalo is a metropolis under 1M people with an annual city budget of $1.5B dollars (versus $10-15M for cities like NY, LA, Chicago). Billion dollar stadium is unrealistic.

Pittsburgh fan experience is as good as any in the world and at 1/3 of what Bills are asking for (and stop asking for Sabres money while they are at it-- that team is an anchor)

[cheese318]

Please explain why taxpayers should pay for the stadium? Will taxpayers get free tickets?

When you have other cities just waiting in line to jump at the opportunity this may be the name of the game. It would be such a shame and bad look in my opinion if the league let Buffalo lose the Bills. Such a avid fan base that for the most part supports the team very strongly. If they wanna bring new teams in or locations maybe it’s time to add then to subtract but if the city doesn’t wanna build the infrastructure needed for the new state of the art stadiums then I have a strong feeling this could get ugly. Pretty sure ownership is local and they own the sabres so that would be a bad look to leave and still have a team in the city. Hopefully just posturing to get a deal done so BUF stays longterm

Asking for 100% tax payer funding AKA $1.5B (400M of which is supposed to go to the NHL Sabres franchise they also own) is just the start of negotiations IMO

No stadium in pro sports history has ever exceeded 70% funded

I agree it would be a disaster for the league, the community, and even for the owner (who personally who considers himself a lifelong diehard fan)

My issue is more w/ the amount

Pittsburgh built BOTH Heinze and PNC for barely 400M (adjusted for inflation)
Jerry built the monstrosity for $1B

Lower your expectations. Buffalo is a metropolis under 1M people with an annual city budget of $1.5B dollars (versus $10-15M for cities like NY, LA, Chicago). Billion dollar stadium is unrealistic.

Pittsburgh fan experience is as good as any in the world and at 1/3 of what Bills are asking for (and stop asking for Sabres money while they are at it-- that team is an anchor)

100% agree that the price they want for the stadium is just ridiculous when considering the city it is being built it. I’m curious if this amount is trying to build a stadium and city around the stadium to bring infrastructure for day games that creates business and not just building the stadium itself. Being in Buffalo I’m curious if they want to have a come stadium because that’s a major price difference over what they built in PIT so that’s something to consider. If they wanted it for indoor events in the winter having a dome is very important to sell for use outside of football

[Bruin]

They should move to Toronto. NFL expansion to Canada would be great