It’s up to you to believe the viability of the report, but according to Tony Farina of the Niagara Falls Reporter, an extension of the lease at Ralph Wilson Stadium between the Buffalo Bills and Erie County is “imminent” and could officially happen within the next two weeks.
“We have learned from sources familiar with the negotiations that an announcement is expected shortly on a new lease barring any last-minute snag,” Farina wrote in the article. “The sources say the lease will be in the 8-to-10 year range that would give all parties time to evaluate the long-term viability of the aging stadium which will need more than $200 million in renovations just to stay viable in the short term.”
If the report is true, Bills CEO Russ Brandon said it’s “news to him” while appearing on WGR550 this morning. Brandon added that while nothing is considered imminent at this point he acknowledges that discussions between all parties have been productive and going in the right direction.
Brandon also said the club isn’t interested in building a new stadium.
An extension of the lease on any level should be considered good news to Buffalo fans. While 8-10 years may give most the comfort that the team isn’t going anywhere, it gives both parties more time to decide if Buffalo remains a long-term viable NFL option. Of course, should 94-year old Ralph Wilson pass on, the status of the Bills could change in an instant. The question remains whether that’s good or bad.
