By all accounts that fact that the Buffalo Bills sold all 54,628 personal seat licenses, or PSLs, months ahead of 'new' Highmark Stadium's opening is a surprise.
But, a pleasant surprise.
Slightly more than one year after Legends Global - the Dallas-based firm contracted by the Bills to sell PSLs and other components of the new stadium - the final PSL deal was closed just before the Christmas holiday break.
"I thought it would have gone into next year," said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
PSLs are one time fees season ticket holders must pay for the exclusive right to purchase their seat or seats. The sale of PSLs is a common practice among many NFL teams.
When the prices were first introduced there was a mix of sticker shock, anger and questions over how the PSLs were priced for the new stadium. Poloncarz was among those who questioned the pricing structure.
"PSLs represent the cost of being in the modern NFL," Poloncarz said.
In the end, pricing went from $750 per seat in the upper 400 levels to $50,000 for premium and prime club seats.
"I do give the Pegulas (team owners Terry and Kim Pegula) for coming up with a pricing schedule that keeps it affordable for many fans," Poloncarz said.
Combined, the sale of all 54,000-plus PSLs will generate slightly more than $260 million, or 15% more than the $225,000 that was part of the original stadium cost and financing package.
The $260 million will help pay for the $2.2 billion new Orchard Park stadium that's due to open this coming summer.
"It does go to show how the community is willing to support the Bills organization." Poloncarz said.
The region's support for the Buffalo Bills compares favorably to the way Notre Dame has a strong foothold in South Bend, Ind. or Michigan has on Ann Arbor.
"It is very collegiate in that respect," Poloncarz said. "Maybe, even more so."
Does that mean every seat in the new, 60,108-seat stadium is sold out months before the first game is played?
The short answer is: Technically no.
There may be some individual seats and standing room seats sold but for all practical purposes, the stadium is sold out and the Bills' have a 7,000 person long waiting list for season tickets.
"It is safe to say, the stadium's season tickets are sold out for years to come," Poloncarz said.