ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — New Era Field will soon have a new name.
The Buffalo Bills announced Wednesday evening that New Era Cap Company has asked to be released from its naming right and sponsorship deals with the Bills. The Bills say they're currently negotiating the details of this separation with New Era.
The Bills are also beginning the process of pursuing a new naming rights partner for the stadium.
The Buffalo Bills released the following statement on Wednesday:
“The Buffalo Bills and New Era Cap Company jointly announce that New Era has asked to be released from their Naming Rights and Sponsorship deals with the Bills. The Bills and New Era are currently negotiating the details of this separation and the Bills are beginning the process of pursuing a new naming rights partner for the stadium.”
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz also released a statement Wednesday regarding the naming rights change:
“Now that the Buffalo Bills and New Era have agreed to part ways regarding the name of the football stadium in Orchard Park, considering the facility is publicly owned, my preference would be to not name the stadium after a private sector entity but to simply call it “Veterans Stadium” to honor the men and women who have served our nation, which includes team founder Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. and former Buffalo Bill Bob Kalsu, who was killed in action in Vietnam. However, because the Buffalo Bills do retain the naming rights to the facility through the lease’s expiration in 2023, if they should choose to sell the naming rights I would hope they partner with a company that has a sterling reputation, especially as it relates to their workforce, and one our community would be proud to associate with as the home for our team – the Buffalo Bills.“
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