EDIT: Total cost to taxpayers? Bills select sports firm to represent ownership in building new open air stadium in OP, targeted for 2025

[RiotAct]

34 minutes ago, The Dean said:

 

From the WKBW article

 

 

 

Who is Buckley? There is no other mention of him/her in the article. And that doesn't look like a question to me.

Eileen Buckley, the author of the article

[Rochesterfan]

2 hours ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

@YoloinOhio yes a tax hike will be required. Why did you delete your post ?

 

So doing the math, a new domed stadium will cost around 2-3 billion.

 

If PSLs can only get 200M-300M, where is the rest of the money coming from ?

 

I'll tell you. The taxpayers.  Pegula will not put much of his money up. He will try to shake down the tax payers of Buffalo.

 

I hope the taxpayers vote no and force the billionaire to pay for his own stadium.

 

In no way should tax payers pay for a billionaires stadium.  

 

If I go to see a movie should I help pay for the movie theater?

 

You do help pay for the theater with ticket prices, concession prices, and typically they get a nice discounted tax rate to build because of the sales tax they bring in - so your taxes help fund that discount they receive.  They get a better interest rate - making your interest rate worse to help fund.  They get tons and tons of incentives to build and all of that comes from you.

 

Pegula is working with everyone to fund the stadium - just as he should be.  He should get some NFL funding, some state funding, some county funding, and some of his own money.  
 

It seems like he is making choices based on exactly what he thinks works in this area and you are bashing him - just crazy.

 

I think they will use a bunch of means to get money - PSLs, a tax hike, a user fee on tickets and parking, taxes on gambling/betting, a hotel tax, etc to fund what they need.  Just like the movie theater- you and all of us will be paying and I am fine with that.  I would be better if they were building a better, bigger stadium downtown that could serve multiple functions and help bring a Super Bowl as they grow the area.  Basically the current design locks that out as a future option, but is more fiscally responsible.

[LabattBlue]

4 hours ago, Chicharito said:

The Pegulas have bought large chunks of land downtown. Like the whole perry projects. Other big investors and developers have also bought up everything around the area as well. With that being said I believe they are holding the lease and saying that they are going to be in the road for 2 years as a bargaining chip for tax breaks and lower lease price. No way will the county or state lose out on the money that the bills bring in. The stadium will be a downtown stadium.

This is news to me.  Paladino was sniffing around the Perry Projects a few years ago, and wanted to buy them for $1 or something crazy.  Other than the bldg that houses PSE HQ, I don’t know of any other land the Pegula’s have purchased, and it would be hard to keep it a secret. 
 

Paladino on the other hand, has parcels of land all over that section of town...and I’m sure he hopes to cash in if the stadium goes anywhere around that area. 

Edited June 23, 2021 by BTB

[Jay_Fixit]

On 6/18/2021 at 9:59 AM, BornAgainBillsFan said:

If this were a legal case, with Goodell as the judge and Jones as an attorney, Jones would be asked to recuse himself due to a conflict of interest.

 

Why is that not happening now?

 

Let's just win the Super Bowl. Then this frilly stuff will take care of itself.

What in the actual *****???

[BADOLBILZ]

On 6/18/2021 at 3:03 PM, RoyBatty is alive said:

Isn't that why we drafted Allen because of the brutal wind and weather of WNY just like Wyoming he could cut through it with his strong arm?  (Sarcasm)

 

How many times a year does weather really impact games with the Bills, maybe 2 a year?

 

Things are different post-covid regardless.  Going to be hard to justify expensive stadiums that are used 10-12 times a year especially  now that people have gone an entire year not in the stands.  And technology will only make it easier and easier to watch remotely, from a convenient place.

 

Stadiums are going to be like Malls in 20 years, nice antiquated monsters from a bygone era.

 

 

 

I basically disagree with each point in this post.

 

Yes, Allen has a strong arm but top QB's have LONG careers now that often extend far past their "athletic" peak.    Ben Roethlisberger had a cannon for an arm 15 years ago..........now his arm strength is very poor for an NFL QB.

 

Wind impacts at least half of the Bills home games every year.    Whether it's discussed by the talking heads on tv when you are watching the game or not it's evident from the stands every week.

 

We don't know if the environment for pro football consumption will be worse post-covid.   In the 20th century,  economic recessions often took many years to get out of.........but things move much more quickly now...........go back to 2008 and look how fast the economy bounced out of that........even after the government gave the farm away to the auto industry etc..  

 

People will still feel that instinctive need for "communitas" in 20 years...........stadiums aren't going away.

 

[BADOLBILZ]

5 hours ago, red hots said:

This rendering was found online a few weeks ago and subsequently taken down, seemingly it was not meant to be out to the public yet. However on the same site there was also a rendering of a renovated "New Era Field" which was also removed, so no idea how old this is, or if its a genuine plan or merely a rendering of one of many ideas.  Populous the stadium architects are behind it I believe.

 

 

 

That is weird.

 

Lotta' brown and green in there.   Looks like a modernized version of "Cleveland's Municipal Stadium".    The stadium serves one purpose.........so make it look like the Buffalo Bills actually play there.

 

I like the Flutie/Johnson mural on the side of the upper deck facing the big end zone walk way, though.  

[Simon]

11 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

I like the Flutie/Johnson mural on the side of the upper deck facing the big end zone walk way, though.  

lol, nice......

[galept]

6 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

That is weird.

 

Lotta' brown and green in there.   Looks like a modernized version of "Cleveland's Municipal Stadium".    The stadium serves one purpose.........so make it look like the Buffalo Bills actually play there.

 

I like the Flutie/Johnson mural on the side of the upper deck facing the big end zone walk way, though.  

We don't need Bills colors plastered all over the stadium exterior, but Buffalo is a blue collar city so a more industrial look would do well.

Edited June 23, 2021 by galept

[SirAndrew]

8 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

I basically disagree with each point in this post.

 

Yes, Allen has a strong arm but top QB's have LONG careers now that often extend far past their "athletic" peak.    Ben Roethlisberger had a cannon for an arm 15 years ago..........now his arm strength is very poor for an NFL QB.

 

Wind impacts at least half of the Bills home games every year.    Whether it's discussed by the talking heads on tv when you are watching the game or not it's evident from the stands every week.

 

We don't know if the environment for pro football consumption will be worse post-covid.   In the 20th century,  economic recessions often took many years to get out of.........but things move much more quickly now...........go back to 2008 and look how fast the economy bounced out of that........even after the government gave the farm away to the auto industry etc..  

 

People will still feel that instinctive need for "communitas" in 20 years...........stadiums aren't going away.

 

I agree about the impact of weather. Expect the influence of weather to grow as the league adds games to the schedule. We have two regular season home games in January this year. That’s huge with potential playoff implications. There seems to be a big difference with WNY weather before Christmas and after Christmas. These January games have the chance of being brutal. 

[jletha]

Im sure this has been discussed, its a long thread, but aside from whether I prefer a city dome or a suburban open-air what I really dont like is not playing in Buffalo during Allens prime years.

[BADOLBILZ]

2 hours ago, galept said:

We don't need Bills colors plastered all over the stadium exterior, but Buffalo is a blue collar city so a more industrial look would do well.

 

The Bills are the only team playing there and the seats inside are going to be colorful with the blue and red etc.. so no reason for the outside to clash with the interior.........makes the stadium look retro-fitted rather than built to purpose.

 

I'm not even sure I would call that an "industrial" look.........it kinda' looks like a mall.

 

Also not sure that Buffalo is really a "blue collar" city anymore.    Some Bills fans may want Buffalo to be perceived that way........(especially those with white collars )........ but that's not really how it's been trending for a long time now.    

[Coach Tuesday]

10 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

I'm not even sure I would call that an "industrial" look.........it kinda' looks like a mall.    

 

It looks like a giant Bass Pro shop actually.  Like the one connected (now gone?) to the Galleria Mall.  Does seem like the look that artist is going for, whatever that is.

Edited June 23, 2021 by Coach Tuesday

[May Day 10]

I really like that rendering.  It reminds me of a hybrid of Lincoln Financial Field, Seattle's stadium, and the old Cleveland Municipal/War Memorial Stadium.  

[SoCal Deek]

As an architect I’m fascinated by the impressions of the rendering. It looks like something designed specifically for Buffalo. I don’t think it’s a stock rendering with a label stuck on the side. But they’re going to need plenty of volunteers to shovel that outdoor end zone patio during the playoffs.  

[YoloinOhio]

18 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

As an architect I’m fascinated by the impressions of the rendering. It looks like something designed specifically for Buffalo. I don’t think it’s a stock rendering with a label stuck on the side. But they’re going to need plenty of volunteers to shovel that outdoor end zone patio during the playoffs.  

That was my thought exactly 🤣.  But I really like it.

[RoyBatty is alive]

11 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

I basically disagree with each point in this post.

 

Yes, Allen has a strong arm but top QB's have LONG careers now that often extend far past their "athletic" peak.    Ben Roethlisberger had a cannon for an arm 15 years ago..........now his arm strength is very poor for an NFL QB.

 

Wind impacts at least half of the Bills home games every year.    Whether it's discussed by the talking heads on tv when you are watching the game or not it's evident from the stands every week.

 

We don't know if the environment for pro football consumption will be worse post-covid.   In the 20th century,  economic recessions often took many years to get out of.........but things move much more quickly now...........go back to 2008 and look how fast the economy bounced out of that........even after the government gave the farm away to the auto industry etc..  

 

People will still feel that instinctive need for "communitas" in 20 years...........stadiums aren't going away.

 

 

You disagree with each point, good for you.

 

Did you bother read to the end of my comment on Allens arm (sarcasm).

 

And yes, the malls were never going to  be empty either.

 

We shall see how stadiums evolve, if you can only see the present that is up to you.  Things evolve and change, some people can foresee a different future, others cant.

[TheFunPolice]

is the new stadium being built in the Adirondacks?

 

Seriously though, I'm just happy it's open air! Aside from the $2+ billion mega structures like in LA, domes are awful. Saints games look like they are being played in a basement where someone left half the lights on accidently. 

[eball]

4 minutes ago, TheFunPolice said:

Saints games look like they are being played in a basement where someone left half the lights on accidently

 

Agreed, but domes/enclosed facilities have come a long way since the Superdome was built.  Indy, Minnesota, Atlanta have amazing enclosed stadiums.

[May Day 10]

6 minutes ago, TheFunPolice said:

is the new stadium being built in the Adirondacks?

 

Seriously though, I'm just happy it's open air! Aside from the $2+ billion mega structures like in LA, domes are awful. Saints games look like they are being played in a basement where someone left half the lights on accidently. 

 

If you look though, those brown strips are actually brick, would probably look a lot better in reality.  

[Gordio]

3 hours ago, SirAndrew said:

I agree about the impact of weather. Expect the influence of weather to grow as the league adds games to the schedule. We have two regular season home games in January this year. That’s huge with potential playoff implications. There seems to be a big difference with WNY weather before Christmas and after Christmas. These January games have the chance of being brutal. 

 

 

Whenever the weather thing comes up I think it tends to get overblown.  The Bills played two playoff games last jan in OP and the Colts game was 30 and sunny with little wind and the Ravens came was a bit more breezy but the weather wasnt a factor.  I didnt pick up a snow shovel last year until the day after Christmas and i really dont remember WNY getting much snow in Jan either.  There is always a chance for horrible weather in WNY in late fall/winter but.... those instances seem like they are getting really few and far between.  I dont know if you look back over the past 10 years very few home games have been impacted by the weather imo.

[Man with No Name]

33 minutes ago, Gordio said:

 

 

Whenever the weather thing comes up I think it tends to get overblown.  The Bills played two playoff games last jan in OP and the Colts game was 30 and sunny with little wind and the Ravens came was a bit more breezy but the weather wasnt a factor.  I didnt pick up a snow shovel last year until the day after Christmas and i really dont remember WNY getting much snow in Jan either.  There is always a chance for horrible weather in WNY in late fall/winter but.... those instances seem like they are getting really few and far between.  I dont know if you look back over the past 10 years very few home games have been impacted by the weather imo.

this is not true. our passing game never had a chance to get started with that "breeze."

 if we are going to stay open air in OP, shouldn't we just renovate and save the tax payers several hundred millions of dollars?

[Greg S]

36 minutes ago, Gordio said:

 

 

Whenever the weather thing comes up I think it tends to get overblown.  The Bills played two playoff games last jan in OP and the Colts game was 30 and sunny with little wind and the Ravens came was a bit more breezy but the weather wasnt a factor.  I didnt pick up a snow shovel last year until the day after Christmas and i really dont remember WNY getting much snow in Jan either.  There is always a chance for horrible weather in WNY in late fall/winter but.... those instances seem like they are getting really few and far between.  I dont know if you look back over the past 10 years very few home games have been impacted by the weather imo.

 

The snow game against the Colts from a few years ago and the major snow storm that moved the Bills "home game" vs the Jets to Detroit were the only bad weather games/situations in recent memory that I can think of.

[eball]

2 minutes ago, Man with No Name said:

if we are going to stay open air in OP, shouldn't we just renovate and save the tax payers several hundred millions of dollars?

 

That's a really big "no."  Rich/The Ralph/New Era/Highmark is unbelievably outdated.  Recent renovations are the definition of slapping lipstick on a pig.

 

Sightlines from every seat are awesome, but in this day and age people are doing more than just going to the stadium to watch the game.

[Punching Bag]

3 hours ago, SirAndrew said:

I agree about the impact of weather. Expect the influence of weather to grow as the league adds games to the schedule. We have two regular season home games in January this year. That’s huge with potential playoff implications. There seems to be a big difference with WNY weather before Christmas and after Christmas. These January games have the chance of being brutal. 

 

Biggest storms have been before Christmas than after Christmas because the lake effect.

When the lake freezes winds do not carry as much moisture.

[Man with No Name]

6 minutes ago, eball said:

 

That's a really big "no."  Rich/The Ralph/New Era/Highmark is unbelievably outdated.  Recent renovations are the definition of slapping lipstick on a pig.

 

Sightlines from every seat are awesome, but in this day and age people are doing more than just going to the stadium to watch the game.

Those were not full scale renovations like the ones done in Green Bay, KC, and Chicago. 

[WhoTom]

7 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

 

Biggest storms have been before Christmas than after Christmas because the lake effect.

When the lake freezes winds do not carry as much moisture.

 

True, but Lake Erie hasn't been freezing over lately.

 

https://greatlakes.guide/ideas/do-the-great-lakes-freeze-over

Quote

Since the early 1970s the annual average ice coverage on the great lakes has decreased by an astonishing 71%. Due to climate change, snow and ice depth have decreased on both the lakes and on land. This reduction in ice leaves the lakes uncovered and free to evaporate. And if you have read our article all about snow, you will know that when the lakes are warmer and water evaporates, the cold wind sweeps in and results in dense lake-effect precipitation. In other words, less ice coverage could mean heavier snow dumpings on land.

 

[DrDawkinstein]

1 hour ago, eball said:

 

Agreed, but domes/enclosed facilities have come a long way since the Superdome was built.  Indy, Minnesota, Atlanta have amazing enclosed stadiums.

 

Indy and Minn should be the examples we are shooting for, imo.

 

Lucas Oil in Indy did a good job blending into the industrial area. And Minn's new stadium is gorgeous from the inside, and with that wall of windows almost feels like it's more of an open-air build.

[Punching Bag]

15 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

Indy and Minn should be the examples we are shooting for, imo.

 

Lucas Oil in Indy did a good job blending into the industrial area. And Minn's new stadium is gorgeous from the inside, and with that wall of windows almost feels like it's more of an open-air build.

 

I think Minnesota's stadium is what they should aim for and Bills should make a pairing with Tesla to add solar panels to facility to provide energy for stadium.

No retractable roof however.

[DrDawkinstein]

Just now, Limeaid said:

 

I think Minnesota's stadium is what they should aim for and Bills should make a pairing with Tesla to add solar panels to facility to provide energy for stadium.

No retractable roof however.

 

Agreed on no retractable roof. It's a nice thought, but it's more fantasy.

 

A retractable roof adds a ton of cost (likely another 30-40%), they NEVER work well, and it absolutely would not be used like most Bills fans hope. They wouldnt be able to open it for snow. Only on totally calm, clear, sunny days. So what's the point?

[LabattBlue]

26 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Indy and Minn should be the examples we are shooting for, imo.

 

Lucas Oil in Indy did a good job blending into the industrial area. And Minn's new stadium is gorgeous from the inside, and with that wall of windows almost feels like it's more of an open-air build.

This!  Anything else will be a major mistake. 

[dollars 2 donuts]

People talk about the wind and weather as factors, whether (no pun) it be for playing the games or for fan enjoyment.

 

However, when I think of a domed stadium I just think it is more attractive for players (WRs, for example) deciding upon whether they want to play here or not.  Sure, a great QB plays a large part, too, but with a dome or retractable dome, we instantly become a warm weather city.

 

No insult to anyone intended, but you are honestly fooling yourself if you don't think that matters to a player and especially his career...almost regardless of good team or bad.

 

Edited June 23, 2021 by dollars 2 donuts

[TheFunPolice]

Buffalo's weather during the football season is no worse than New England, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, NJ Jets/Giants, Baltimore, or any other northern city. The rare big snow events are just what everyone remembers. It's just as likely to be 35-40 degrees for a January game as a blizzard. 

 

The KC/NE AFC Title game a couple years ago was forecast to be around 0 but by the time it came around it was in the mid 20's. Still every bit as cold as it could be here at that time of year. And that's in Kansas City. 

 

I'm of the opinion that football is an outdoor game. The weather is part of the game, and makes different places unique. Every dome to me is like playing in an airplane hangar, except Minnesota and LA, which would likely cost as much as 3 of these proposed Bills stadiums. 

 

I get that not everyone agrees, and that's fine. I just think that domes ruin the sport. 

Also, cold weather doesn't really affect the passing game. 

 

Peyton Manning had his best seasons ever in Denver, Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre put up all-time type stats in Green Bay (the Frozen Tundra) and Brady did OK in New England. 

 

If you're good, you're good. Did the weather stop Josh Allen last season from breaking all sorts of franchise passing records? 

[May Day 10]

From a fan's perspective, weather becomes another interesting, defining characteristic for the game.  

 

People say "the Colts game" and everyone recalls it and can remember a number of plays and the result.  Without the weather in a Ford Field environment, that game is very forgettable.

 

 

Im in favor of situating the stadium to reduce wind on the playing field and protect fans from it, as well as some sort of roof covering (for noise as well).  That is enough here.  We will get the unique weather cataclysm, but its all part of the show and what makes the league and this team interesting

[SirAndrew]

1 hour ago, Gordio said:

 

 

Whenever the weather thing comes up I think it tends to get overblown.  The Bills played two playoff games last jan in OP and the Colts game was 30 and sunny with little wind and the Ravens came was a bit more breezy but the weather wasnt a factor.  I didnt pick up a snow shovel last year until the day after Christmas and i really dont remember WNY getting much snow in Jan either.  There is always a chance for horrible weather in WNY in late fall/winter but.... those instances seem like they are getting really few and far between.  I dont know if you look back over the past 10 years very few home games have been impacted by the weather imo.

The thing is, it’s not just snow that impacts the game. Freezing temps and nasty winds have a huge impact on the game as well. I was always against a dome, because I’m not a fan of the atmosphere. I’ve come around to the idea because this league has become QB vs QB, and we have our QB. You might as well improve the on field product if you’re building a new stadium, and I genuinely believe playing indoors makes this offense better. 

[SirAndrew]

1 hour ago, Limeaid said:

 

Biggest storms have been before Christmas than after Christmas because the lake effect.

When the lake freezes winds do not carry as much moisture.

That’s fair, I guess for me it’s just a preference. There’s nothing about buying tickets to January regular season games that appeals to me. I can deal with snow on a 30 degree day, but when I think of January I have visions of 20 degree days with blazing wind. 

[SectionC3]

3 hours ago, SoCal Deek said:

As an architect I’m fascinated by the impressions of the rendering. It looks like something designed specifically for Buffalo. I don’t think it’s a stock rendering with a label stuck on the side. But they’re going to need plenty of volunteers to shovel that outdoor end zone patio during the playoffs.  

 

I don’t think it’s stock, either.  But the stadium is not going in at the Perry projects (which is the setting of the rendering).  It’s going in OP.  Book it. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Here's a list I found. Not sure of the accuracy. 

 

Quote

NFL TEAMS WITH OPEN-AIR STADIUMS RANKED BY AVERAGE WIND SPEEDS (windiest to least windy) Buffalo/Orchard Park, New York 16.1 New England/Foxborough, Massachusetts 14.5 New York Giants/East Rutherford, New Jersey 10.1 New York Jets/East Rutherford, New Jersey 10.1 Kansas City, Missouri 10.6 San Francisco/Santa Clara, California 10.6 Cleveland, Ohio 10.5 Minneapolis, Minnesota 10.5 Chicago, Illinois 10.3 Green Bay, Wisconsin 10.0 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 9.5 Washington/Landover, Maryland 9.4 Miami Gardens, Florida 9.2 Cincinnati, Ohio 9.0 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 9.0 Oakland, California 8.8 Seattle, Washington 8.8 Baltimore, Maryland 8.7 Denver, Colorado 8.7 Tampa, Florida 8.3 Nashville, Tennessee 8.0 Jacksonville, Florida 7.8 Charlotte, North Carolina 7.4 San Diego, California 7.0

https://247sports.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/Article/Kickers-Nightmare-The-Windiest-NFL-Stadiums-105213973/

[nucci]

The wind is the only really important weather factor. It's what affects the game more than anything else.

Edited June 23, 2021 by nucci

[Rochesterfan]

1 hour ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Here's a list I found. Not sure of the accuracy. 

 

https://247sports.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/Article/Kickers-Nightmare-The-Windiest-NFL-Stadiums-105213973/

 

Probably fairly accurate.  

 

If you look up weather averages of metropolitan areas - Buffalo is #2 of the top 51 US cities for snowfall behind only Rochester.  It is also the #2 windiest metropolitan city during the winter months ahead of all the other northern cities and right in line with Boston.

 

Therefore - although many other cities in the Northeast - NE, Chicago, GB, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and NY/NJ - none of them combine both the snow and the wind of Buffalo.  It is especially bad because Orchard Park gets even more snow than Buffalo because of the Lake.

 

Places like GB, Chicago and Pittsburgh get the freezing cold temps, but teams can play in cold temps with little impact.  The large amounts of snow and the wind both have the ability to impact games and they also lessen significantly the crowd noise and size - thereby reducing our home field advantage.  
 

Therefore as we have seen in recent years - the number of games impacted by weather is Buffalo (especially wind) is already higher than most places and then we built the stadium in a spot that is even more impacted by weather as OP gets both more wind and more snow than downtown.

 

We saw what happened when the team was good in the 90 and had deep playoff runs - we had many late season games - including playoff games - that did not sell out and had empty seats.  Then through the drought it was worse.  Now we are extending the season later into the more snowy months of January and playoff games into potentially February- it is likely to become even more of a factor.  
 

I get that people want weather to be a part of things, but for me - I prefer to see the game played at a higher level and really don’t want to see games negatively impacted because of wind gusts or snow that covers the field.  Buffalo I one of the only NFL cites that gets the double whammy of Snow and wind.  Even Cleveland with its location on the lake provides protection of the stadium from snow. 

[YoloinOhio]

6 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

Probably fairly accurate.  

 

If you look up weather averages of metropolitan areas - Buffalo is #2 of the top 51 US cities for snowfall behind only Rochester.  It is also the #2 windiest metropolitan city during the winter months ahead of all the other northern cities and right in line with Boston.

 

Therefore - although many other cities in the Northeast - NE, Chicago, GB, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and NY/NJ - none of them combine both the snow and the wind of Buffalo.  It is especially bad because Orchard Park gets even more snow than Buffalo because of the Lake.

 

Places like GB, Chicago and Pittsburgh get the freezing cold temps, but teams can play in cold temps with little impact.  The large amounts of snow and the wind both have the ability to impact games and they also lessen significantly the crowd noise and size - thereby reducing our home field advantage.  
 

Therefore as we have seen in recent years - the number of games impacted by weather is Buffalo (especially wind) is already higher than most places and then we built the stadium in a spot that is even more impacted by weather as OP gets both more wind and more snow than downtown.

 

We saw what happened when the team was good in the 90 and had deep playoff runs - we had many late season games - including playoff games - that did not sell out and had empty seats.  Then through the drought it was worse.  Now we are extending the season later into the more snowy months of January and playoff games into potentially February- it is likely to become even more of a factor.  
 

I get that people want weather to be a part of things, but for me - I prefer to see the game played at a higher level and really don’t want to see games negatively impacted because of wind gusts or snow that covers the field.  Buffalo I one of the only NFL cites that gets the double whammy of Snow and wind.  Even Cleveland with its location on the lake provides protection of the stadium from snow. 

Weather like wind, heavy downpour, snow, even high heat - typically helps to level out the talent gap so to speak. It almost never helps the better team. The better team is at an advantage in optimal conditions especially when it comes to team speed.