THE Buffalo Bills need a little-known law in the NFL rule-book to change to carry on building their new home.
Expected costs for the new stadium skyrocketed to $2.2 billion.
4
4
That is $800 million more than the initial figure given by the team.
And it’s left them in a dilemma as it looks to complete it’s new home.
Buffalo signed a deal which saw a significant amount of public money donated to building the arena.
The state and county are paying around $850 million, which is more than half of the initial estimated $1.4 billion cost.
The Bills would pay $275 million in cash, borrow $200 million more and raise $225 million in personal seat license sales.
But part of the deal they signed with the city means they are liable to pay anything more than the initial total.
That means the $800 million more it’s now projected to cost is all on them.
Buffalo would need to borrow a huge amount more to complete the build.
And to do so they need an exception on the NFL’s debt limit to borrow $650 million more.
Franchises are currently not allowed to exceed more than $700 million in debt.
Team owners will consider the Bills’ request at the league’s annual meetings later in March.
The Bills released a new video on You Tube last week showing the build taking shape.
The roof is partly on the new stadium, which could open as soon as the 2026 season.
It will have a capacity of 62,000 and maintain an open-air feel.
The Bills have played at Highmark Stadium since it was built in 1973.
4
4
They often play games in the snow – which gives them a strong home-field advantage.
Some other teams in the north like the Minnesota Vikings have built new stadiums with a roof on.
The Chicago Bears also plan to have a roof on their new stadium when it’s built.