Thanks to colleague Jeff Mayne for the news forward of story- Buffalo News FULL Story Here

In an unprecedented move, Terry Pegula has put his name into headlines this drizzly Sunday AM. A story just broke via Tom Prescious Buffalo News that breaks down in great detail the status and modus operandi behind the potential of how this is all going down. In a nutshell, Terry Pegula and Pegula Sports Entertainment ‘have pitched a proposal to the state for a new stadium in Orchard Park and to help cover some renovation costs to the Pegula’s NFL Sabres’ arena in downtown Buffalo.’ I suggest everyone go read the article first, since that is the best source I have thus far as I dive into the world of NFL stadiums & billionaires.

I wanted to open up the mind a bit, and think about some other things regarding this shakedown..

Okay, so let me get this straight, New York State taxpayers pay $1.5 billion to the State, who will give that money to Terry Pegula & co. to build a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills and WNY.

Let’s look at a few things.

Bills fans’ aren’t “Paying for the Stadium” Right?

Sure taxpayer money is what is “paying for” this new stadium, but that doesn’t mean that you are all the sudden paying for it. There are other things that taxpayer money goes to. According to Ballotopodia, 2016 total New York State federal and state spending hit astronomically high numbers. $150,708,000,000 to be exact. This research obviously before the last years’ pandemic and federal bailouts.

The State Spends How Much?

Spending also, is remarkably high in the mind of a common Bills’ fan gurgling up a coffee fart in our blue collar homes. When you think about $1.b Billion, you might think Terry is on some Dr. Evil stuff. How could he not buy us the stadium if hes worth $5B? It’s a bit less staggering to consider a measly $1.5 billion from the State when you look at how much the state makes in taxes, which are also among the highest in the country.

The $1.5B PSE is proposing from the state comes out of a New York State spend budget of somewhere around $81,353,963,000 in collected Taxpayer dollars.

So where does it come from?

Or Are They?

A look at this research done by CBCNY helps paint a picture of how New York State taxes and revenue work out, and this great journalism from City and State NY by Amanda Luis Henning Santiago helps break down just how the State makes money. Here’s a graphic to breakdown the 2019-20 NYS taxes collected.

Take this bite from “A micro-explainer on the state’s economy How does New York make – and spend – its money?”

In 2019, the state’s top 15 significant industries included construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, financial activities, professional and business services, educational services, health care, and leisure and hospitality, according to a New York Department of Labor report. (Bills Fans?)

The leisure and hospitality industry, which accounts for most tourist attractions and activities, such as live performances, gambling and other amusements, accounted for $46 billion in annual spending prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most tourist attractions were forced to shut down amid the public health crisis, which contributed to the state’s current deficit. While some businesses are expected to see a return of tourists in 2021, it’s likely that the industry won’t be able to fully bounce back until 2025. (Bills Owners?)

City and State NY – A micro-explainer on the state’s economyHow does New York make – and spend – its money?

So, if income taxes are the highest form of tax revenue for the state, and blue collar industries help that number the most, and liesure and live events took a major hit due to the public health crisis… maybe this idea isn’t so bad after all.

Everybody Wins (hopefully?)

In a scenario where Terry pays nothing, it may seem like a shiesty old billionaire getting by on all us common folk. The data above helps paint a clearer picture. The fans do pay income taxes. The Bills do make money for the state, and bring great positive awareness with the new winning culture and QB. The state does have money to provide 1.5 Billion. (in laymen’s terms). Maybe in a way, this makes sense.

If you had one thing you could have your income tax go toward.. wouldn’t it be the Bills?

If you ask me, I’m all for a state of the art retractable stadium that can house a Super Bowl, NCAA Bowl games, Music, and truly continue the glory that Ralph Wilson Stadium started. It could incorporate old original Rockpile stadium lore, the original Ralph prototypical original football style and architecture. It could feature local little league, high school, and college community events like the Jim Kelly camp and so much more. With proper planning it could bring amazing tourism to an already thriving city.

When it comes down to it, someone’s gotta get screwed. Terry could throw a little on the table if you ask me, and I’m sure when the final deals are done, he won’t come out without spending a cent. That thought is preposterous to consider. The Sabres may not be doing well.

The reality is that the Bills have thrived since he bought the team. He can’t be treated like Mr. Burns from the Simpsons for asking the state to pay for the stadium. All together, the Pegula’s the Beane’s the McDermotts the Allens and the Bills MAFIA, we bring the noise, the culture, and with better tools, could make MORE MONEY. Would you want your boss to make a dollar if you could make a dime? Would you want your boss to make $10 Billion if you could make a dime? Well that’s a different conversation. Billionaires run the league. That’s just a reality. Be glad we have one I guess..

Out of 32 teams, 28 teams stadiums are built with public money. This video below helps break it down. It’s not that odd, in today’s world.

Stay Tuned

When you consider some of the features of some of the newer stadiums around the league, and consider a Bills fan shelling out $30,000 for a luxurious suite, it does seem a little off brand. The stadium doesn’t need to be like Dallas, or Las Vegas, it just needs to be Buffalo. The fans deserve a say, and for as long as he is the owner, Terry Pegula deserves a say. If the state is going to shell out Dr. Evil type money, the project better demonstrate the positive impact financially it will have not only for the owners of the Bills, but the fans and community taxpayers as well. Experts may argue that a football stadium doesn’t do this as much as budget for infrastructure or roads or parks, but if you ask me… The Bills are Western New York, and WNY is the Buffalo Bills.

I do believe that the stadium can help continue what this community has done as a whole, and the community, organization, and ownership will come together and make a beautiful future here in Buffalo for decades to come.

We are all in for a wild ride. Mount Up Buffalo.