Goodell ‘excited’ for opening of Bills’ new stadium

Phoenix, Ariz. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - As a native of Western New York, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has always understood the importance of the Buffalo Bills, and what building a new stadium and securing the team's future means for the region.

While speaking at the annual league meetings in Phoenix on Tuesday, the Jamestown native shared his excitement for the opening of the new Highmark Stadium this summer.

"I have a great deal of pride in Western New York. But I also have a great deal of pride in the Bills, and how they've been able to work through and get the stadium in a great public-private partnership with the state, the county, and Terry Pegula and his team stepping up. I'm excited," Goodell said. "I haven't seen the stadium in a few months, but we saw some more pictures this week that have me even more excited. So I look forward to being there."

Bills chief operating officer Pete Guelli said earlier this month the team is on track to get the keys to the new stadium in June, and the team will be ready to host games when the preseason begins in August.

Prior to those games, Guelli says the first big event in the stadium will most likely be the annual “Return of the Blue and Red” scrimmage the Bills host during training camp.

"It's a football first facility," Guelli said. "It's a grass field. We want to make sure we're not doing anything that's going to take away from that first game that takes place there. So we're going to have a number of smaller events to kind of introduce the fans to the building and get people comfortable."