State, county 'in lockstep' on keeping the Bills here

[Skooby]

Talks described as "very productive" were conducted Friday in the ongoing Ralph Wilson Stadium lease negotiations.


But representatives of the state and the Erie County executive's office would not say anything about the details.


A statement issued by Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy and Deputy County Executive Richard Tobe noted that representatives from the state and county "had a very productive meeting on their joint efforts to keep the Bills in Buffalo."


The two-sentence statement went on to say that both entities "are lockstep in their commitment to keeping the Bills in Buffalo. However, officials vowed that they would "continue to refrain from negotiating through the press."



http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120921/CITYANDREGION/120929680/1004 (http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120921/CITYANDREGION/120929680/1004)

[stuckincincy]

"The Bills are seeking improvements to Ralph Wilson Stadium estimated to cost somewhere between $200 million and $220 million. The team would like the state and local governments to cover a big portion of that expense."

[Skooby]

Even better now: http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120923/CITYANDREGION/120929569/1082

[YardRat]

Bills lease likely to include buyout clausehttp://news.wbfo.org/post/bills-lease-likely-include-buyout-clause

However, a buyout clause is likely to be a part of any final agreement. The existing lease, which expires in 2013, did include a buyout clause that was worth as much as $30 million. Such a clause in a new contract is expected to reach nearly $100 million.

Not enough, IMO. Any buyout clause should cover the dollar amount of public monies put into the renovation, plus any lost anticipated revenues for the state/county over the remaining years of the lease, at the very least.