Getty ImagesA new Bills lease at Ralph Wilson Stadium is still expected, but it won’t be coming as soon as previously expected.
Erie County executive Mark Poloncarz has revised his prior prediction that the main terms on a new lease will be resolved by the start of training camp, according to the Buffalo News.
“We’ve accomplished a lot,” Poloncarz said. ”Every party knows where the other one stands. Now, it’s just that final time where you sort of butt heads with each other until you reach an agreement. So I feel confident we’re going to get an agreement done by the end of the year.”
The current lease expires on July 31, 2013, which means that, as a practical matter, it expires after the 2012 season. Which means that, if for some reason the team is sold between now and early 2013, the team could move, in theory, by next season.
The Bills would have to apply for permission to relocate by February 15, 2013.
It’s highly unlikely that the Bills will relocate, but until a new lease is buttoned up, an opportunity to walk away after the coming season remains.
Poloncarz has said that the county wants a contract that makes it difficult if not impossible for the team to break the lease. He also has said that the county won’t “give away the store” to keep the team.
It would be a shock if they don’t get the deal done. Still, the fact that Poloncarz has been talking so much at a time when the Bills are saying nothing suggests that the Bills are driving a hard bargain. And that Poloncarz knows, even if he doesn’t “give away the store,” that the county will have to give up plenty to keep the team around — especially if the county wants a lease that makes it even harder for the Bills to leave.
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The facts of the matter are:
Ralph Wilson is personally committed to Buffalo and vows to keep the team there as long as he is alive.
Ralph Wilson’s family has made is abundantly clear that they don’t want the franchise when he passes.
If Ralph Wilson doesn’t make it until the signing of this new lease, which is all too possible because he is 93 years -old, then the new owners will swoop off to LA or anywhere else quicker than a jackrabbit on a date.
This needs to get sewn up now and right now because Mr. Wilson doesn’t have nearly as many tomorrows as yesterdays.
Ok, why would you want to lease that place again? The place is ancient and one of the worst stadiums in the league?
Now I do have a question I just assumed since the stadium is named after the owner, he owned the stadium. If you don’t own the stadium why would you name it after yourself?
They won’t move. The only teams that may move to LA are the Jaguars (doubtful), the Rams, or the Chargers.
If the stadium is ancient then hopefully the team can get a new one at tax payers expense. The one the Bucs have is a good place to start and hopefully they can do one better.
I think I sat with those two guys (in the pic) at the Raiders Buffalo game last year…good dudes
There are buyers from Buffalo that are interested – They have a group with the money – Its all good – They are staying in Buffalo
The Bills are staying in Buffalo regardless who owns the team, whether it be Ralph Wilson, Jim Kelly or any other rich prospect in the Western NY area. God forbid Mr. Wilson passes away, but if he does, I’m sure he has everything secretly taken care of in his will. He promised he would do everything in his power to keep the team in WNY, and I believe him. Jim Kelly has been spending way too much time with and around the team for just being a former Buffalo Bill, I think he and Wilson already have something drawn up incase an untimely event occurs. WNY needs the Bills, the Bills belong here.
Going after big name free agents and actually getting one is something the franchise hasn’t done since Takeo Spikes. Even he wasn’t the caliber of Mario. I think going all in for him wasn’t just a move for on the field business. Pretending like the team wanted to try and win under the likes of Mularkey, Greg Williams, Jauron was a joke.
The best way the Bills can put pressure on getting the lease done is by winning games.