BUFFALO, N.Y. — Despite initial talk of private investment and crowdfunding, Buffalo Pro Soccer is seeking the assistance of taxpayer dollars to help fund construction of a new soccer-specific stadium.
Documents obtained and reviewed by 2 On Your Side Investigates show Club President Peter Marlette Jr. entered into an agreement with Upstate Strategic Advisors to lobby Empire State Development and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.
The organization is led by Sam Hoyt, a former state assemblyman, who will be paid $4,000 per month for lobbying efforts. The contract is for one year and can be extended.
A total figure they are seeking has not yet been determined.
Development of an approximately 10,000-seat stadium would draw a United Soccer League Championship team – one tier below Major League Soccer.
Marlette first acknowledged the need for public funding at a Buffalo Common Council meeting in early November.
“My understanding too is that this would be all privately funded,” questioned North District councilman Joseph Golombek Jr.
“Well that was the initial plan,” said Marlette. “But the opportunity has presented itself that two phenomenal sites that I believe would be transformative for the City of Buffalo, and it is likely that either of those sites, should we move forward with them, will require some public funding.”
The club commisioned an economic impact and market feasibility study by CSL International, a sports research and venue marketing firm. CSL is owned by Legends, which provides planning and marketing for the new Buffalo Bills stadium project.
Marlette provided information from the study to 2 On Your Side Investigates. It claims the project would have an estimated fiscal impact of 11.9 million dollars for the city — and create 95 full-time jobs.
“This is an opportunity for real immediate impact on the city of Buffalo,” Marlette told 2 On Your Side.
John Kaehny of Reinvent Albany disputed the economic impact of a new stadium and questioned whether public dollars should be put towards the project.
“And the reality is that there is a humongous, humongous amount of independent research out there on stadiums, arenas and convention centers that just shows they're a terrible investment of public funds,” said Kaehny.
But Marlette remains confident that pro soccer in a new stadium will be ready in March of 2026. “It's going to create new tax revenue, and it's going to create new opportunities for recreation and social engagement in the city of Buffalo that currently do not exist here,” added Marlette.
