BUFFALO, N.Y. — When the new Bills stadium is complete in 2026, New York State will be the owner of the 60,000 seat facility.
Through Empire State Development, the Erie County Stadium Development Corporation (ECSDC) was established to oversee construction of the stadium and its oversee operation, without day-to-day influence.
As the state now has a hand in the stadium, 2 On Your Side asked officials whether or not they were aware of the pricing for personal seat licenses before the Bills Experience opened in Amherst.
WGRZ has reported that many fans are being told it will cost between $15,000-$50,000
Initially, Governor Hochul's office didn't directly answer the question but a spokesperson provided a statement saying in part, "Our administration has communicated to the Bills leadership the need to prioritize ensuring as many fans from all walks of life are able to attend games and cheer on the Bills in the new stadium."
In search of a more direct answer, WGRZ spoke with Erie Co. Stadium Development Corporation board chair Bob Duffy about the topic. Duffy is a former mayor of Rochester and former Lt. Governor under the Cuomo administration.
Since the stadium corporation has regular meetings with Bills officials, and taxpayers are contributing $850M to the stadium, the question of whether or not state officials knew about the plan is deserving of an answer
Duffy provided further insight during a one on one with WGRZ.
"I was not aware of the exact pricing, [I[ certainly was aware of these were coming," Duffy said. "Here's my view, it's clearly as a Buffalo Bills business decision.'
The Bills have outsourced the rollout and management of the PSL sales to the Jerry Jones owned Legends Hospitality. A spokesperson for Legends would not confirm any pricing with WGRZ.
Duffy said that he learned during the last Bills agreement, that he says he helped negotiate, the team is at a disadvantage financially compared to other markets.
"They are at really a very different level fighting to keep their heads above water with business," Duffy said.
Knowing that he has to maintain a working relationship with the organization, Duffy wasn't critical of the PSL rollout.
"I am not going to criticize the Buffalo Bills for this, they had to make that decision," Duffy said. "They have been great stewards and the Pegula family they've been great leaders for Buffalo Bills."
When asked if the PSL costs, and the subsequent outcry by many season ticket holders, will price fans out of the gameday experience, Duffy said the market will play out.
"When you make a decision like this, with those prices, you have to accept those that will pay and those that may not pay," Duffy said.
It's unclear how many fans have accepted the cost of the club-level seating. Legends would not confirm any of the information sources have shared with 2 On Your Side-- which range between 60%-80% of the club seats being sold.
"They have to make those decisions, accept those, live with those and it doesn't do anyone any good to be firing salvos publicly," Duffy said. "But I do understand both sides of it, I really do."
Duffy also defended the $850M in taxpayer dollars that are being spent on the project. Most recently, the LA Rams ownership funded SoFi through PSL's only and did not use public funding.
Fans have been pointing out that Bills ownership are essentially double-dipping by accepting public dollars while also raising funds through PSL sales.
Duffy downplayed double-dipping discussions. Citing the very complex negotiations between the state and the organization.
"The bills are not getting a sweetheart deal from New York State," Duffy said. "They're responsible for any overages."
The former Lt. Governor reiterated that if the state hadn't provided funding, the Bills were likely leaving Buffalo.
"The Buffalo Bills were being courted, there's no doubt whether they admit it or not," Duffy said. "There are cities around this country that would love to have the Bills move there, and probably offer them a sweetheart deal to do that.
Since the stadium corporation is not privy to the day-to-day goings on of the Bills organization, what exactly does the team share with the board?
Duffy says the team is mostly sharing financial information regarding the construction of the new stadium, as well as progress reports.
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