Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It was a long time in the making, but finally, the Buffalo Bills are going to get a new stadium in Orchard Park.
"How did we get here? We needed to get here," said Executive Vice President of Pegula Sports and Entertainment, Ron Raccuia on Tuesday during an appearance on WBEN. "This was a stadium situation that really should have been addressed in 2012, 2013, when those lease negotiations took place. For a variety of reasons, they weren't. When the Pegulas bought the team, they certainly made it a priority. We're here now, and we're ready to go."
It was announced on Monday a new deal has been struck between the Bills, New York State, Erie County and the National Football League for the construction of a new stadium across the street from Highmark Stadium on Abbott Road. More importantly, the stadium comes with a 30-year lease agreement that will keep the Bills in Western New York for the long-term.
If all goes well with construction of the new stadium, the Bills should be able to move into their new home before the start of the 2026 season.
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"The whole organization is excited about this," Raccuia said with Brian Mazurowski from the NFL Owners Meetings in Palm Beach, Florida. "It's a great thing for the community, it's a great thing for our fans, so it's a great thing for us. It's going to be exciting."
Raccuia touched on a number of topics pertaining to the new stadium with Mazurowski, whether it pertains to the stadium, the surrounding areas, what happens during and after construction of the new stadium and more.
Here is some of what Raccuia had to say:
Raccuia on expectations for the atmosphere of a new stadium:
"We expect it to get infinitely better. The intensity, the intimacy of watching a Bills game. As coach said [Monday], having it loud, having the focus be on the field, plus having the state-of-the-art amenities that are common in many, if not most NFL stadiums today. That's really what our fans can expect. They can expect better food and beverage, wider concourses, wider seats, better WiFi. It can go on-and-on. More temperature-controlled spaces, as we've talked about, places to get warm, places to congregate, to celebrate together inside the stadium."
Raccuia on the fans' involvement for a new stadium in Orchard Park:
"Even this week, our season ticket holders, our suite holders, our corporate partners, a lot of community leaders, they're meeting with our consultants, they're meeting with Legends, CSL, Populous and our staff going through what their expectations are for a stadium, what their wishes are, what their priorities are. We've been talking to them right along, that will continue certainly over the next several weeks and months while we've developed the final plan."
Raccuia on personal seat licenses (PSLs) for the new stadium:
"A PSL is a one-time fee. All of our season tickets going forward in the new stadium will have some component of a PSL to it. As I said numerous times before, it will be the lowest PSLs of any new stadium that's been built. We understand the market, we won't overpriced them. We will create great value for our season ticket holders with them with additional amenities. It's something that they'll have for 30 years, it's an asset, they can pass that on to their family, to their friends. They can re-sell them, if they so choose. But definitely PSLs will be a part of our process, and we're very cognizant of not having them be overpriced in our marketplace."
Raccuia on the potential of ticket prices increasing with the new stadium:
"There's a natural increase every year in ticket prices. Will some tickets be higher priced? Yes. Will some tickets be the same price? Yes. Will some tickets be lower price? Yeah, probably. There'll be a ticket and a price point for every fan, depending on what type of experience they want. We're, again, just keep telling people over-and-over again, we understand the market, we understand the price sensitivity, we understand the restrictions. Our fans will not be priced out of this. The key to this is to fill that stadium every game to be loud, to create the best home field advantage in the NFL, and you can only do that by having people in the seats."
Raccuia on events that could take place at the new Bills stadium in the future:
"Events that happen in the bowl and on the field are very similar to the events that are hosted there now. That's just our market. But events that can be hosted in other parts of the stadium are going to increase tenfold. Weddings, gatherings, conventions, meetings, celebrations, community celebrations. All of that in a new stadium with the indoor space that we're planning will make this stadium being used a lot. But in terms of events in the bowl and events on the field, it's not that much more than it is today. We'll still look at doing different things that become available to us, but the expectations about an MLS team and all of that, I don't have any idea where that came from, so we shouldn't really be talking about that now."
Raccuia on the potential for future development around the new Bills stadium:
"The energy of the new stadium, the construction project in and of itself, re-imagining the space is going to create new opportunities for businesses to come in and develop around the stadium. I absolutely believe it. ... When the stadium was built in the '70s, the idea of economic development around a stadium really didn't exist. And then for decades after that, there was always this question of, 'Are the Bills staying here? Will the stadium last? Will a new stadium be someplace else?' And I do think that inhibited economic development. Now everyone knows. Everyone's going to be able to see it, and I feel there's going to be some positive momentum around that."
Raccuia on when Bills fans can potentially see designs for a new stadium:
"Hopefully in a couple of months. We're working on it every day. Populous has done a great job. I know how anxious our community or even our internal staff is to start seeing some renderings and pictures. We'll try to get that to the public as quickly as we can."
You can listen to Raccuia's entire interview with Mazurowski below:
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