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ALBANY – The decision about whether the Buffalo Bills will get a new stadium, renovate their existing home or keep things as they are for now has become less urgent, now that Terry and Kim Pegula have been announced as the winning bidders for the team.
That was the consensus of some state and local officials involved in the new stadium review process on Wednesday, a day after the Pegulas were given the nod to buy the team.
“Now that the Pegulas have won the bid, NFL approval must be secured, and then – with all stakeholders – we can begin to take a look at how we can collectively surmount the challenges to a new stadium that would strengthen the franchise for decades to come,” U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer said.
Pegula, who made his fortune in the natural gas industry, has not stated his thoughts on the stadium issue, or at least not to the county and state officials who have sought information about his intentions.
A spokesman for Pegula said Wednesday that the businessman, who lives in Boca Raton, Fla., had no comment at this point about stadium matters, citing the ongoing NFL approval process.
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said he talked to Pegula Tuesday to congratulate him and his wife on having their bid accepted by the trust for the estate of late Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr., but the stadium issue was not addressed. Poloncarz said he previously offered to sit down with the Pegulas to discuss the Ralph Wilson Stadium’s existing 10-year lease, which is now in its second year.
“The general response I got back was they were focused on the sale. … They didn’t want to put the horse before the cart (so) they have not indicated to me whether they are interested in a new stadium or are fine at the Ralph,’’ the county executive said.
Agree or disagree.
I still want the stadium push to continue.
That was the consensus of some state and local officials involved in the new stadium review process on Wednesday, a day after the Pegulas were given the nod to buy the team.
“Now that the Pegulas have won the bid, NFL approval must be secured, and then – with all stakeholders – we can begin to take a look at how we can collectively surmount the challenges to a new stadium that would strengthen the franchise for decades to come,” U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer said.
Pegula, who made his fortune in the natural gas industry, has not stated his thoughts on the stadium issue, or at least not to the county and state officials who have sought information about his intentions.
A spokesman for Pegula said Wednesday that the businessman, who lives in Boca Raton, Fla., had no comment at this point about stadium matters, citing the ongoing NFL approval process.
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said he talked to Pegula Tuesday to congratulate him and his wife on having their bid accepted by the trust for the estate of late Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr., but the stadium issue was not addressed. Poloncarz said he previously offered to sit down with the Pegulas to discuss the Ralph Wilson Stadium’s existing 10-year lease, which is now in its second year.
“The general response I got back was they were focused on the sale. … They didn’t want to put the horse before the cart (so) they have not indicated to me whether they are interested in a new stadium or are fine at the Ralph,’’ the county executive said.
Agree or disagree.
I still want the stadium push to continue.
Comment