(WBEN) - The Potential new Bills stadium was among the topics of discussion at the annual in-season NFL Owners Meetings in New York City.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the situation was progressing in what he described as a "Positive way." (Bills discussion @ 9:20 into above video)
"I think the parties are all working well together," Goodell said when asked about the negotiating process. "I think there's a recognition of the need for a new stadium in Buffalo for the Bills. And I think everyone's working with that objective in mind."
"There has to be a public-private partnership here that has to be managed. But I think everyone's coming to the table with the intent to make sure that the Buffalo Bills are secure in western New York for generations. I think that's important and that's what we all want to achieve."
Goodell was also asked about where any new stadium would be built. The Bills have not publicly released the study they commissioned on the issue, but say that it shows building next to the current stadium in Orchard Park would be the most cost-effective option. Governor Kathy Hochul, meanwhile, has said that downtown Buffalo can't be ruled out until after a state-commissioned study is complete.
"Regarding downtown, I don't know, if the league has a preference, my understanding of it is, there's a pretty strong recognition that the current location or in that area is the right location. But a lot of that comes into, you know, my experience with this all over the country, because I've been involved with many of them is that those are decisions that should be made locally."