The Buffalo Bills belong in Erie County and Western New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo reiterated today as he stopped at Ralph Wilson Stadium briefly before the team’s home opener.
“There’s a new energy in Buffalo,” the governor said, as he marked the beginning of the new season and the 10-year agreement with the Bills to keep the team in Orchard Park, making it the only NFL franchise to actually play its games in New York State.
The deal, announced in December, calls for $130 million in stadium upgrades split among the state, county and the team.
“There’s going to be a new stadium with a new lease on life with a 10-year commitment from the Bills to stay right here in Buffalo,” Cuomo said. “I think 2013 is going to be a lucky year.”
The governor stopped by the Taste of New York tailgate party under a tent behind the Bills field house this morning with Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and other state and local officials. They were welcomed by Russ Brandon, Bills president and chief executive officer, and local delicacies such as chicken wings, beef on weck and Sahlen’s hot dogs.
“This is yet another example of Mr. Wilson’s loyalty, his commitment to Western New York and our unwavering belief that this franchise can and will succeed long term in this region,” Brandon said of team owner Ralph Wilson.
Speakers praised Wilson for keeping the Bills in Buffalo, and former Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly added a bit of encouragement to fans excited about a new era with quarterback EJ Manuel.
“If you ever watched the Bills when I played, we weren’t very pretty the first season either,” he said.
email: bobrien@buffnews.com
“There’s a new energy in Buffalo,” the governor said, as he marked the beginning of the new season and the 10-year agreement with the Bills to keep the team in Orchard Park, making it the only NFL franchise to actually play its games in New York State.
The deal, announced in December, calls for $130 million in stadium upgrades split among the state, county and the team.
“There’s going to be a new stadium with a new lease on life with a 10-year commitment from the Bills to stay right here in Buffalo,” Cuomo said. “I think 2013 is going to be a lucky year.”
The governor stopped by the Taste of New York tailgate party under a tent behind the Bills field house this morning with Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and other state and local officials. They were welcomed by Russ Brandon, Bills president and chief executive officer, and local delicacies such as chicken wings, beef on weck and Sahlen’s hot dogs.
“This is yet another example of Mr. Wilson’s loyalty, his commitment to Western New York and our unwavering belief that this franchise can and will succeed long term in this region,” Brandon said of team owner Ralph Wilson.
Speakers praised Wilson for keeping the Bills in Buffalo, and former Bills Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly added a bit of encouragement to fans excited about a new era with quarterback EJ Manuel.
“If you ever watched the Bills when I played, we weren’t very pretty the first season either,” he said.
email: bobrien@buffnews.com