ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WBEN)....A partnership crafted and developed during the past years has led to Seneca Resorts & Casinos becoming the 9th founding partner member with the Buffalo Bills and soon-to-open Highmark Stadium.
The long term, seven-figure deal not only has the Bills branding the field-level club as the Seneca Resorts & Casinos Field Club, the Senecas will be adding a history panel in the stadium's 300 level to inform sports fans and visitors about their history.
"This is a big moment," said Kevin Nephew, Seneca Resorts & Casinos president and CEO.
The partnership matters to the Seneca Nation of Indians, Nephew said.
"Highmark sits on some of our ancestral land," Nephew said. "Having a major presence here matters."
The official announcement of the Bills/Seneca partnership comes a few weeks after Seneca Resorts, through its partnership with the Buffalo Sabres have thee secured the naming rights for the team's jerseys.
Pete Guelli , Bills and Sabres' chief operating officer, said the deals were separate - although there was natural discussion about the two deals.
"It's all about how we integrate with each other," Guelli said.
With nine founding, or sponsorship, partners the Bills are nearing capacity for Highmark Stadium, although Guelli said there are still some talks going on.
The Seneca deal is something of a sea change for the Bills that for many years, especially during its 17-year playoff drought, it was tough for the team to secure big ticket sponsors.
That change began when Terry Pegula bought the team in 2014 and created a new business model and once Josh Allen arrived and the team become of the NFL's premier franchises - both on and off the field - sponsors put tjhe Bills in a different light.
"I remember in first run with the Bills, some 15 years ago, we couldn't get a national sponsor who was really into the Bills," Guelli said. "But, now our brand is so elevated."
Seneca Resorts & Casinos a key founding partner with the Bills
Seneca Resorts & Casinos a key founding partner with the Bills
