Kim Pegula on a New Stadium: "I Don't Even Know If We Can Get There"

[26CornerBlitz]

Kim Pegula on new Bills stadium: 'I don't even know if we can get there'

ATLANTA — Kim Pegula sees the Buffalo Bills facing a difficult road toward a new stadium, because all entities involved will balk at contributing to a price tag likely to exceed the team’s purchase price of $1.4 billion.

 

“I don’t even know if we can get there,” the team’s co-owner told The Buffalo News while attending the NFL spring meeting. “I know fans in Buffalo don’t want higher ticket prices, they don’t want PSLs. The state doesn’t want to give you any money, the city doesn’t ... We don’t have a billion-and-a-half dollars sitting around. We used it to buy the team.”

 

Pegula said she and Pegula Sports & Entertainment Chief Operating Officer Bruce Popko have taken the lead on the Bills’ long-term stadium planning since Russ Brandon’s May 1 resignation as president of PSE and its sports franchises.

 

“It’s going to be hard, so that’s why we’re trying to get all the options,” Pegula said.

[Victory Formation]

Keep it where it is, that's just fine, nothing is wrong with it.

[BringBackOrton]

The Pegulas are poor!

[Augie]

I know this is a very polarizing topic, and the funny thing is I don’t care very much. I love going to games at the Ralph, and I’d be fine with a new stadium. I’m just glad they are still in WNY. 

[Guffalo]

She has a good read on the fanbase. She is realistic in assessing the general feeling of the fans. Do we want a new stadium? , sure, Do we want to pay for it through higher ticket prices , PSL's and increased taxes? , Probably not. She knows the landscape she is up against. Smart owner.

[Jay_Fixit]

7 minutes ago, NewDayBills said:

Keep it where it is, that's just fine, nothing is wrong with it.

There’s plenty wrong with it.

 

Signed, 2018.

[Mister Defense]

Great to hear!

 

What a waste it would be, maybe a billion dollars!!, and, what, have a disastrous monstrosity like Dallas has?

 

No, thank you.  Just because everyone else does something doesn't mean everyone should follow.

[BillsfaninSB]

Sounds like the baby steps of moving the team.  Saw the same thing with Chargers (I live in Southern California).  Spanos kept saying it can’t be done even though he had options.  His option A was too lofty to achieve and decided to go.  Planned failure with built in excuse to leave. 

[Golden Goat]

Ralph is cheap.

[LabattBlue]

...and the first shot is fired over the heads of city, county and state politicians. 

[Golden Goat]

1 minute ago, LabattBlue said:

...and the first shot is fired over the heads of city, county and state politicians. 

 

Bingo.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

1 minute ago, LabattBlue said:

...and the first shot is fired over the heads of city, county and state politicians. 

Exactly. They'd better pony up.

 

[mjd1001]

I'm OK with higher ticket prices for a new stadium....not with PSL's though.

[baskingridgebillsfan]

for 8-10 games a year do they really need a new stadium ?  Look at met life they get 16 plus football games .  a couple of ncaa games , a few soccer matches and several concerts

i am not an engineer but couldn't the Ralph take on a major tech upgrade and some other bells and whistles for a quarter of the cost of a new stadium and still be a fine venue ?

The final thought is , nobody is screaming for a new stadium.  Some towns are fine with what they have.  K.c upgraded Arrowhead.  Packers are fine with their situation.  The Big city Bears keep upgrading their place ect ect 

5 minutes ago, BillsfaninSB said:

Sounds like the baby steps of moving the team.  Saw the same thing with Chargers (I live in Southern California).  Spanos kept saying it can’t be done even though he had options.  His option A was too lofty to achieve and decided to go.  Planned failure with built in excuse to leave. 

they are not selling the team.  She is saying i am not paying and the fans are not paying so if something is going to get done then there better be a ton of outside money 

Edited May 23, 2018 by baskingridgebillsfan

[CommonCents]

Mexico City Buffalos

 

 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

12 minutes ago, Guffalo said:

She has a good read on the fanbase. She is realistic in assessing the general feeling of the fans. Do we want a new stadium? , sure, Do we want to pay for it through higher ticket prices , PSL's and increased taxes? , Probably not. She knows the landscape she is up against. Smart owner.

Same exact thing has been said by Russ Brandon many times. I honestly didn't feel comfortable reading this from Kim.

Edited May 23, 2018 by TheTruthHurts

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Just now, baskingridgebillsfan said:

for 8-10 games a year do they really need a new stadium ?  Look at met life they get 16 plus football games .  a couple of ncaa games , a few soccer matches and several concerts

i am not an engineer but couldn't the Ralph take on a major tech upgrade and some other bells and whistles for a quarter of the cost of a new stadium and still be a fine venue ?

 

You'd think if they updated soldier field and Lambeau it could be done. I'm not sure the Pegulas are feeling that, however.

 

Look, if the people of WNY are serious about retaining the Bills, pony up. If not, that's OK too, just don't cry when they move. Because they will. If the Chargers left a much larger market in SD, the Bills WILL leave Buffalo over a stadium.

 

[baskingridgebillsfan]

1 minute ago, joesixpack said:

 

You'd think if they updated soldier field and Lambeau it could be done. I'm not sure the Pegulas are feeling that, however.

 

Look, if the people of WNY are serious about retaining the Bills, pony up. If not, that's OK too, just don't cry when they move. Because they will. If the Chargers left a much larger market in SD, the Bills WILL leave Buffalo over a stadium.

 

I am not sure how anybody is reading her statement as a threat to leave.  She is simply saying , we are not spending 1.4 billion of our money      

[Bobby Hooks]

11 minutes ago, Jay_Fixit said:

There’s plenty wrong with it.

 

Signed, 2018.

Funny we don’t hear that about Lambeau. 

 

Lambeau is somehow considered historic while New eras considered garbagetopolis prime. 

Edited May 23, 2018 by Bobby Hooks

[baskingridgebillsfan]

3 minutes ago, TheTruthHurts said:

Same exact thing has been said by Russ Brandon many times. I honestly didn't feel comfortable reading this from Kim.

why don't you feel comfortable 

Just now, Bobby Hooks said:

Funny we don’t hear that about Lambeau. 

i know.   The Pegs have to chance the narrative from a new stadium to we love the tradition of our place.   

[Buffalo03]

I don't understand why the NFL wants us to have a new stadium so bad. Our stadium may be old and outdated but it's not as old as some stadiums in the league. Lambeau Field was built in the 1950's and you don't ever hear anyone saying the Packers need a new stadium. Same with Soldier Field in Chicago. Those stadiums are older than our stadium which was built in 1973. They recently updated Soldier Field and that's ok but we update New Era Field and it's not good enough? Doesn't make sense

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

2 minutes ago, baskingridgebillsfan said:

I am not sure how anybody is reading her statement as a threat to leave.  She is simply saying , we are not spending 1.4 billion of our money      

 

It's implied.

 

She knows that the state won't pitch squat into the project. Same for the county. She knows the fans won't pay more for seats or PSLs, and she knows she won't pay out of pocket for it.

 

Doesn't take a rocket surgeon to do that math. I'll guaran!@#$ingtee you that if the **** hits the fan, and none of the above are feasible, San Antonio will be more than happy to build a shiny new home for the Bills.

 

 

Edited May 23, 2018 by joesixpack

[Augie]

2 minutes ago, baskingridgebillsfan said:

I am not sure how anybody is reading her statement as a threat to leave.  She is simply saying , we are not spending 1.4 billion of our money      

 

.....again. 

[baskingridgebillsfan]

1 minute ago, joesixpack said:

 

It's implied.

 

She knows that the state won't pitch squat into the project. Same for the county. She knows the fans won't pay more for seats or PSLs, and she knows she won't pay out of pocket for it.

 

Doesn't take a rocket surgeon to do that math.

 

nothing is implied except that will not be a new Stadium.  not that they are going shopping for a new location 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

1 minute ago, baskingridgebillsfan said:

why don't you feel comfortable 

i know.   The Pegs have to chance the narrative from a new stadium to we love the tradition of our place.   

I don't want to hear how Buffalo fans can't afford the modern NFL. Russ Brandon made it his job to do that.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Just now, baskingridgebillsfan said:

nothing is implied except that will not be a new Stadium.  not that they are going shopping for a new location 

 

What's the view like of the sand?

 

I wish I had that kind of non-cynical worldview. But I know better.

 

[YoloinOhio]

13 minutes ago, BillsfaninSB said:

Sounds like the baby steps of moving the team.  Saw the same thing with Chargers (I live in Southern California).  Spanos kept saying it can’t be done even though he had options.  His option A was too lofty to achieve and decided to go.  Planned failure with built in excuse to leave. 

Difference is that in NYS the tax for the public funding can be enacted without a vote whereas in Cali it had to get on the ballot and then get voted in, which of course didn’t happen and Spanos was too cheap to build it himself. 

[ColoradoBills]

 

What am I going to do with the land I bought outside of Letchworth!

 

I've been to Arrowhead for Bill's games twice.  It's pretty much like New Era.

I wouldn't worry about the NFL making the Bill's get a new stadium anytime soon.

[nucci]

7 minutes ago, baskingridgebillsfan said:

I am not sure how anybody is reading her statement as a threat to leave.  She is simply saying , we are not spending 1.4 billion of our money      

But Terry said he'll drill another well if they need more money

[corta765]

16 minutes ago, BillsfaninSB said:

Sounds like the baby steps of moving the team.  Saw the same thing with Chargers (I live in Southern California).  Spanos kept saying it can’t be done even though he had options.  His option A was too lofty to achieve and decided to go.  Planned failure with built in excuse to leave. 

 

Naw its part of the political ploy to get money state wise. They start off making overtures like this that gather public support and then announce their plans etc.. And with due respect the Chargers matter squat to their area compared to the Bills in Buffalo. The people in SD had zero issue not approving the stadium plans.

[baskingridgebillsfan]

4 minutes ago, TheTruthHurts said:

I don't want to hear how Buffalo fans can't afford the modern NFL. Russ Brandon made it his job to do that.

what is the Allure of having a modern football stadium?  it's 8 games a year.   

[Coach Tuesday]

This is just the opening salvo of a long dance between ownership and the various governmental players.  Best not to get too excited or agitated about statements like these - there is a long way to go.

 

In the meantime, Kim should focus on improving the fan experience as well as the product on the field.  Bills fans have shelled out hard-earned money for a horrible product for decades, well beyond what most fanbases would’ve put up with. Start winning some games and then maybe there will be a bigger appetite for ticket hikes and even maybe PSLs.

[mushypeaches]

Good for her for at least being somewhat honest and transparent about the entire decision-making process - instead of parroting the endless cycle that we see in other cities of BS, graft, and outright lies between team owners, politicians, and the NFL.  And it's not like this is exclusive to football, just the $$$ figures are the most exaggerated.

 

I'd love to see her in the room with the Jerrah and the Ginger Hammer and telling her in a discreet, polite way to eff off and stay the hell out of trying to tell her and the family what's best for Buffalo

[HansLanda]

The money will not be an issue if the Bills have themselves a bonafide franchise QB and is, in turn, a perennial playoff team. 

[nucci]

1 minute ago, baskingridgebillsfan said:

what is the Allure of having a modern football stadium?  it's 8 games a year.   

Why do other teams build new stadiums then?

[baskingridgebillsfan]

5 minutes ago, joesixpack said:

 

What's the view like of the sand?

 

I wish I had that kind of non-cynical worldview. But I know better.

 

it's commonsense/  they knew the situation when they bought them.  They purchased the team to keep it in Buffalo .  

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Just now, baskingridgebillsfan said:

what is the Allure of having a modern football stadium?  it's 8 games a year.   

Revenue. Viability.

[switz1610]

Just now, baskingridgebillsfan said:

it's commonsense/  they knew the situation when they bought them.  They purchased the team to keep it in Buffalo .  

 

If you're interested, I have a bridge for sale baskingridge...

[corta765]

8 minutes ago, Buffalo03 said:

I don't understand why the NFL wants us to have a new stadium so bad. Our stadium may be old and outdated but it's not as old as some stadiums in the league. Lambeau Field was built in the 1950's and you don't ever hear anyone saying the Packers need a new stadium. Same with Soldier Field in Chicago. Those stadiums are older than our stadium which was built in 1973. They recently updated Soldier Field and that's ok but we update New Era Field and it's not good enough? Doesn't make sense

 

First off Lambeau went under a massive massive reno that added seat, luxury boxes etc... the stadium is like brand new and gorgeous its at the levels with the top in the league. Second Soldier Field is just the name of the stadium, they actually built a new stadium on top of it and just kept the name. People say basically is like a spaceship landed on the old stadium.

 

The Bills stadium if you have ever been to an out of town stadium is dated as heck. The renovations have at least modernized it to make it decent but its far behind in modern amenities. I know everyone is obsessed with tailgating but its also the cause of families not going because of the drunks. You will still have drunks in a new stadium and still have tailgating but you will also have an easier time controlling the rowdiness and families may actually go before kids is 11 years old.

[Pine Barrens Mafia]

Just now, baskingridgebillsfan said:

it's commonsense/  they knew the situation when they bought them.  They purchased the team to keep it in Buffalo .  

 

Again, I feel like you're going full Mayberry here.

 

These are billionaires we're talking about here. Hey, you could be right. This could all be philanthropy of a sort. All I'm saying is I kinda doubt it.