I can think of a number of other area's that reek with county waste of taxpayer money.
The Bills are not on that list!
This Professional (if you wanna call'em that) Football team costs the County about $10 million a year.
They said they'd be willing to help Erie County with the budget crisis but in the fine print, it's just a loan that the County would have to pay back. That's not help - who do they think they are... HSBC?
I can think of a number of other area's that reek with county waste of taxpayer money.
The Bills are not on that list!
First its not a loan at all. It was deferred meaning we pay the maintenance cost at a later date instead of this Novemeber....it does cost the County 10 million per year to keep the Buffalo Bills here. Without that 10 million each year... Wilson will move the Bills somewhere else..Originally posted by Night Owl
This Professional (if you wanna call'em that) Football team costs the County about $10 million a year.
They said they'd be willing to help Erie County with the budget crisis but in the fine print, it's just a loan that the County would have to pay back. That's not help - who do they think they are... HSBC?
Riven37
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All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. Thomas Jefferson
I dont think we should waste our time paying the BILLS to play in our field. they will be sold whenever Ralph Wilson dies and then move. they make millions every year but still we bribe them not to move. I cant afford their tickets Now. so it does not matter where they are . television will still bring them to my home. and maybe I will be able to drive around Orchard park on sunday I have to fight traffic just to get to church. but that is county waste not town, Orchard parks biggest waste is two complete governments I have never understood the need of a village government in a town our size
One good thing about growing old is your secrets are safe with your friends they can't remember them either
Yes but sometimes you need to think beyond just yourself.Originally posted by granpabob
I dont think we should waste our time paying the BILLS to play in our field... I cant afford their tickets Now. so it does not matter where they are
The Bills are a big part of Erie County and they're worth every single penny. They give plenty of enjoyment to the residents as well as generate great civic pride. Anyone who attends the Bills games knows this.
Sadly we dont capitalize on all the national and international exposure the Buffalo Bills provide.
The Bills are Sacred, end of discussion .
Never were truer words written. You want to be a hero? Forget marketing chicken wings, the Bills are where it's at. We never give up, we are the greatest fans in the NFL. Look at the mileage the Boston Red Socks got from "the curse."Sadly we dont capitalize on all the national and international exposure the Buffalo Bills provide.
Last edited by buffy; April 17th, 2005 at 12:18 AM.
I like the product and go to games when I find enough money to do so but they are a business and as such should stand by themselves. television pays the saleries we pay for the field tickets pay the owner.is this right, why should we provide the building for this business or any other one.
arguement is if we dont some other city will. that is NFL propaganda. used over and over so an owner can make more profits. sports teams give a city bragging rights but little else. the fans who come in from other area ( bringing funds to our area) do not equal the cost of the stadium, police protection clean up of that area of the town, or tax breaks. every bills game cost the county and Orchard Park money
Its time sports culturals and special interest of all kinds stood by them selves if they cant it proably manys not enough people want them
One good thing about growing old is your secrets are safe with your friends they can't remember them either
Sure, it may cost the county $10M/year, but how much do the Bills bring in via sales tax, income tax, etc.? The Bills personnel do pay income tax, you know! And the $6(?) hotdogs carry sales tax; as do the $75 Flutiejerseys.
I'm not saying it is justified; I'm saying one should look at the big picture.
Though I wish the NFL would rotate the Superbowl around, so that all regions get a chance to suckle at the teat of the corporate fatcats once every 32 years...
BINGO, and I'm not even that much of a football fan.Originally posted by Boost Buffalo
The Bills are a big part of Erie County and they're worth every single penny. They give plenty of enjoyment to the residents as well as generate great civic pride. Anyone who attends the Bills games knows this.
The Bills provide a great sense of pride for the area, something that most everyone can get behind. That's priceless.
Yeah, I would have to say "Priceless" too therising.STADIUM LEASE
THIS STADIUM LEASE (the "Stadium Lease") is made as of the _____ day of July 1998, by and between ERIE COUNTY STADIUM CORPORATION, a New York business corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a the Empire State Development Corporation, a public benefit corporation having an office and principal place of business at 633 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017-6754 (the "ECSC") and BUFFALO BILLS, INC., a New York business corporation having an office and principal place of business at One Bills Drive, Orchard Park, New York 14127 (the "Bills").
R E C I T A L S :
WHEREAS, the County of Erie (the "County") is the owner of an approximately 135 acre parcel of real property situated in the Town of Orchard Park, New York, which parcel is improved by a football stadium and related amenities (the "Stadium Complex"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to its rights as a National Football League franchisee, the Bills are the owners of the "Buffalo Bills" football team (the "Team"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to a certain Agreement of Lease, dated as of October 15, 1971, between the County and the Bills' predecessor in interest (as amended, the "Original Lease"), the Team has used and occupied the County's football stadium for its home games since 1973; and
WHEREAS, the term of the Original Lease expires on July 31, 1998; and
WHEREAS, the County, New York State (the "State") and the Bills have determined that the Team encourages and fosters economic development and prosperity for the citizens of Erie County and Western New York, enhances the image of Erie County and Western New York and provides recreational and other opportunities for the citizens of Erie County and Western New York; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Western New York have supported and enjoyed the Team since its inception such that the Team has become an integral part of the Western New York community; and
WHEREAS, on January 12, 1998, the State, the County and the Bills entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (the "MOU") setting forth in principle certain actions to be undertaken by each of the parties to enable the Team to continue to play its home games at the County's football stadium through July 31, 2013; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter _______ of the 1998 Session Laws of New York (the "Authorizing Legislation"), the State has found and declared, among other things, that the refurbishment, renovation, improvement, operation, maintenance, repair and financing of the Stadium Complex constitute a public and governmental purpose for the benefit of the citizens of the County and the State, and has specifically authorized the implementation of the various actions contained in the MOU, including, without limitation, the execution and delivery of this Stadium Lease and certain other documents relating to the Stadium Complex; and
WHEREAS, certain of the actions contained in the MOU relate to the refurbishing, renovation and improvement of the Stadium Complex at a cost of approximately $63.25 million; and
WHEREAS, under the New York State Urban Development Act, Chapter 174 of the 1968 Laws of New York, as amended (the "Act"), the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a the Empire State Development Corporation (the "ESDC") is empowered to lease real property from municipalities and to rehabilitate and improve such real property; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 12 of the Act, the ESDC is empowered to create subsidiary corporations and to confer upon such subsidiary corporations all "privileges, immunities, tax exemptions and other exemptions" which the ESDC enjoys, including, without limitation, such privileges, immunities, tax exemptions and other exemptions which enure to the ESDC by virtue of the ESDC's status as a public benefit corporation; and
WHEREAS, on February 6, 1998, the ESDC filed a Certificate of Incorporation with the New York Secretary of State forming the ECSC; and
WHEREAS, paragraph seven of such Certificate of Incorporation provides that the ECSC shall enjoy all of the "privileges, immunities, tax exemptions and other exemptions" of the ESDC; and
WHEREAS, in the Authorizing Legislation, the State has confirmed that the ECSC is a public benefit corporation; and
WHEREAS, on February 27, 1998, the ESDC and the Bills entered into a Design Funding Agreement pursuant to which the Bills have agreed to undertake certain preliminary design and construction work related to the refurbishing, renovation and improvement of the Stadium Complex; and
WHEREAS, to implement the refurbishing, renovation and improvement of the Stadium Complex, the ECSC, the County and the Bills entered into a certain Construction Coordinating Agreement dated as of July ___, 1998 (the "Construction Coordinating Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Construction Coordinating Agreement, the ECSC has agreed to contract and pay for, and to oversee such refurbishing, renovation and improvement; and
WHEREAS, to facilitate such refurbishing, renovation and improvement, the County has leased the Stadium Complex to the ECSC pursuant to a certain Master Lease, dated as of July __, 1998, between the County, as lessor, and the ECSC, as lessee; and
WHEREAS, the ECSC has agreed to simultaneously sublease the Stadium Complex to the Bills on the terms and conditions set forth in this Stadium Lease; and
WHEREAS, in its capacity as "lead agency," the County has issued, on its own behalf and on behalf of all other involved agencies, a "negative declaration" under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act covering the refurbishing, renovation and improvement of the Stadium Complex.
NOW, THEREFORE, for one dollar ($1.00) and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged,
Fall Out Amount: The aggregate amount during Lease Years two through six by which License Fee Payment Defaults exceed five million nine hundred-thousand dollars ($5,900,000).
Maybe one of the new PC candidiates should run on the " screw the Bills" platform.
How do you think they'd do?
ARTICLE 4. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF THE BILLS WITH RESPECT TO THE STADIUM COMPLEX
4.1 General Right to Receive Revenue Generated at the Stadium Complex. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Stadium Lease, and, in particular Article 2 and Article 4, during the Term, the Bills shall have the exclusive right to contract for, collect, receive and retain all income and revenues of whatever kind or nature realized by, from or in connection with the Stadium Complex, including, without limitation, all revenues, royalties, license fees, concession fees and income and receipts arising from (a) the sale or distribution of admission tickets to Games and Bills' Events (including admission tickets to Club Level Seats, Luxury Suites and general admission seats); (b) the naming of, or the sale, lease or license of the right to name the Stadium Complex or any portion thereof; (c) the sale, lease or license of the Advertising Rights, including Signage; (d) the sale, lease or license of the Broadcast Rights; (e) the sale of food and beverages at the Stadium Complex; (f) the operation of the Parking Areas; (g) the sale of merchandise, programs and other goods and wares of any nature whatsoever at the Stadium Complex; and (h) the use of Luxury Suites and Club Level Seats. Nothing contained herein or elsewhere in the Stadium Agreements shall be construed as a limitation or curtailment of the general regulatory or police powers of the County or any other Governmental Authority. It is further acknowledged and agreed that the rights of the Bills pursuant to this Article 4 (including, without limitation, any contract entered by the Bills pursuant to this Article 4): (a) shall expire at the end of the Term (regardless of whether the Term ends by reason of the attainment of the Stadium Lease Expiration Date or the earlier termination or cancellation thereof); and (b) shall be subject to Applicable Law (including any obligation imposed on the Bills under Applicable Law to collect and remit all required sales and use taxes).
4.2 Naming of Stadium Complex. (a) The Bills shall have the exclusive right to name, or contract from time to time with any Person or Persons on such terms as the Bills may determine with respect to the naming of the Stadium Complex or any portion thereof; provided that (i) the term during which any such name shall apply shall expire no later than the end of the Term (whether due to the attainment of the Stadium Lease Expiration Date or any earlier termination or cancellation thereof) and (ii) given the substantial interest of the County and the ECSC in the Stadium Complex and the public character thereof, the Bills shall not permit any name to be given to the Stadium Complex or any portion thereof except in accordance with this Section 4.2.
(b) In the event the Bills name the Stadium Complex or any portion thereof themselves, any name chosen by the Bills (i) shall be consistent with the NFL's policy with respect to the promotion and image of professional football (taking into account the fact that the game has substantial appeal to youth) and (ii) shall not unreasonably cause embarrassment to the County or the ECSC (such as names containing slang, barbarisms or profanity; names that could be construed to encourage the use of alcohol by minors or the use of tobacco by persons of any age; or names that relate to illicit drugs or any sexually oriented business or enterprise).
(c) In the event the Bills contract with any Person or Persons with respect to the naming of the Stadium Complex or any portion thereof, such name shall be subject to the prior approval of the County and the ECSC, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Each of the County and the ECSC shall be deemed to have given its approval to any name requested by the Bills unless, within forty-five (45) days following such party's receipt of the Bills' written request for such approval, such party notifies the Bills of its disapproval in writing.
(d) The Bills agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the County and the ECSC from any Losses arising out of the exercise by the Bills of their rights pursuant to this Section 4.2; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnification shall not be construed so as to include any revenue or income which the County or the ECSC might have realized upon the sale or other conveyance of the naming rights to the Stadium Complex or any portion thereof.
(e) Following the selection, and, if necessary, approval by the County and the ECSC of a name for the Stadium Complex, the County shall use commercially reasonable efforts: (i) to cause all existing County road signs which reference the Stadium Complex to identify the Stadium Complex by such name within thirty (30) days of its receipt of written notification of the selection of such name, and (b) to cause all County brochures and literature published thereafter which reference the Stadium Complex to identify the Stadium Complex by such name. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the County shall not have any obligation pursuant to the preceding sentence other than with respect to the initial name given to the Stadium Complex pursuant to this Section 4.2, and (ii) the preceding sentence shall not be construed so as to impose any obligation on the County with respect to any signage, brochures, literature or other media promulgated by any other Governmental Authority.
4.3 Advertising Rights. Subject to Applicable Law, including, but not limited to, County Local Law No. 2-1994, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit J, the Bills shall have the exclusive right to control and contract with respect to the Advertising Rights; provided that (a) the duration of any contract with respect to the Advertising Rights shall expire no later than the end of the Term (whether due to the attainment of the Stadium Lease Expiration Date or any earlier termination or cancellation thereof) and (b) given the County's substantial interest in the Stadium Complex and the public character thereof, the Bills shall not erect or permit to be erected any Signage which is intended to remain in place for any period longer than seven (7) days without the County's prior written approval as to the location, size and content thereof, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The County shall be deemed to have given its approval to any Signage requested by the Bills unless, within fifteen (15) business days following receipt of the Bills' written request for such approval, the County notifies the Bills of its disapproval. The Bills agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the County and the ECSC from any Losses arising out of the exercise by the Bills of their rights pursuant to this Section 4.3; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnification shall not be construed so as to include any revenue or income which the County or the ECSC might have realized upon the sale or other conveyance of the Advertising Rights.
4.4 Broadcast Rights. The Bills shall have the exclusive right to control, conduct, lease, license, grant concessions with respect to, sell, benefit, control and enter into agreements with respect to the Broadcast Rights; provided that the duration of any contract with respect to the Broadcast Rights shall expire no later than the end of the Term (whether due to the attainment of the Stadium Lease Expiration Date or any earlier termination or cancellation thereof).
4.5 Concessions.
(a) The Bills shall have the exclusive right to sell all food and beverages within the Stadium Complex, which shall include the right to contract with any third party or parties to operate the food and beverage concessions at the Stadium Complex; provided that the duration of any contract with respect to the food and beverage concessions shall expire no later than the end of the Term (whether due to the attainment of the Stadium Lease Expiration Date or any earlier termination or cancellation thereof).
(b) Any concessionaire with whom the Bills shall contract shall be entitled to bring a reasonably sufficient number of legally-qualified workers into the Stadium, free of charge, in order to operate its concession. Any concessionaire's workers shall at all times be neatly, modestly and cleanly dressed. The concessionaire's workers shall not unreasonably disturb or offend Stadium Patrons or disturb or interfere with any Stadium Events. The Bills shall comply with all Applicable Laws with regard to the grant of the concession rights described herein to any third party and with regard to the operation of the food and beverage concessions at the Stadium Complex. The Bills shall determine the items of food or beverage to be offered, the prices to be charged for such items and the concessionaires to provide such service. Subject to terms and conditions of Article 15, the Bills shall have the right to determine the location of concession stands for the sale of food and beverage concessions and staging areas for the storage and preparation of food and beverages prior to sale, within the Stadium Complex, in its reasonable discretion, subject to considerations for public health, safety and access. The rights granted to the Bills with regard to concessions pursuant to this Stadium Lease shall include the right to determine, in the Bills' reasonable discretion, how many concession areas will be open during any Stadium Events and what items of food and beverage shall be served. For the purposes of this Stadium Lease, the right to sell or offer for sale beverages and all other rights granted to the Bills with regard thereto shall specifically include the right to sell, offer for sale and control the sale of alcoholic beverages, subject to Applicable Law.
(c) Each food and beverage concession contract shall: (i) include a covenant in form of paragraph 1 of the Affirmative Action Plan evidencing the agreement of the concessionaire to refrain from discrimination with respect to its employees at the Stadium Complex; (ii) provide that concessionaire shall maintain the insurance coverages set forth in Exhibit K attached hereto; (iii) provide that the concessionaire shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the County, the ECSC and their respective Affiliates from and against any and all liability arising out of such concessionaire's operations; (iv) provide that the concessionaire shall comply with Applicable Law; and (v) be subject to the County's review and approval of the non-financial covenants thereof, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. One or more representatives of the Bills (who may be employees of any concessionaire) shall be made available to the County and the ECSC as part of the operation of concessions at Stadium Events in order to handle any problems which may arise with regard thereto.
(d) Throughout the Term, the Bills shall use commercially reasonably efforts to cause all food and beverage concessionaires at the Stadium Complex to fully perform and comply with the terms and conditions of the contract between the Bills and such concessionaire, and, upon such concessionaire's breach thereof, enforce through appropriate and lawful means, each such contract in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof.
4.6 Parking. The Bills shall have the exclusive right to operate, manage and control the Parking Areas, and shall determine the fees to be charged for parking at the Stadium Complex; provided, however, that the duration of any contract with respect to the management or operation of the Parking Areas shall expire no later than the end of the Term (whether due to the attainment of the Stadium Lease Expiration Date or any earlier termination or cancellation thereof).
4.7 Merchandising. The Bills shall have the exclusive right to sell, lease or contract for the sale or lease of programs, yearbooks, novelties, pendants, hats, clothing, sports equipment, cameras, film, binoculars, headsets or any other items, goods or equipment which the Bills (in their sole discretion) may desire to offer for sale or lease at the Stadium and elsewhere within the Stadium Complex; provided that the duration of any contract with respect to the sale of merchandise at the Stadium Complex shall expire no later than the end of the Term (whether due to the attainment of the Stadium Lease Expiration Date or any earlier termination or cancellation thereof). The Bills shall also have the exclusive right to set up carts, kiosks and other similar temporary structures for the sale of such items anywhere on the Stadium Complex at locations selected by the Bills in their reasonable discretion, taking into consideration public safety and access. Neither the County nor the ECSC shall have any rights of approval with regard to the items of merchandise offered for sale or lease at the Stadium or elsewhere within the Stadium Complex, the prices to be charged for such items of merchandise or the concessionaire or concessionaires to provide such merchandise; provided however, that the Bills shall not sell or offer to sell at the Stadium Complex products containing tobacco or any other products which are now or hereafter may be prohibited for sale at the Stadium Complex by Applicable Law.
4.8 Luxury Suites. The Bills shall have the exclusive right to license any or all of the Luxury Suites during the Term, and the Bills shall retain all License Fees and other revenues derived therefrom; provided, however, that the duration of any license with respect to any Luxury Suite shall expire no later than the end of the Term (whether due to the attainment of the Stadium Lease Expiration Date or any termination or cancellation thereof). Without the prior written consent of the County and ECSC, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, the Bills shall not utilize any form of agreement to effect such licensing other than forms substantially similar to those attached hereto as Exhibit L. Licensees of Luxury Suites shall have the right to purchase tickets for admission to their Luxury Suite for Civic Events in accordance with Section 2.3(g).
4.9 Club Level Seats. The Bills shall have the exclusive right to license any or all of the Club Level Seats during the Term, and the Bills shall retain all License Fees and other revenues derived therefrom; provided, however, that the duration of any license with respect to any Club Level Seat shall expire no later than the end of the Term (whether due to the attainment of the Stadium Lease Expiration Date or any earlier termination or cancellation thereof). Without the prior written consent of the County and ECSC, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, the Bills shall not utilize any form of agreement to effect such licensing other than forms substantially similar to those attached hereto as Exhibit L. Licensees of Club Level Seats shall have the right to purchase tickets to utilize their Club Level Seats for Civic Events in accordance with Section 2.3(g).
4.10 Scoreboards. The Bills shall have the exclusive right to use and control the Scoreboards at all Stadium Events during the Term, provided that the County and the ECSC shall have access to the Scoreboards in the event of an emergency. Upon request of the County or the ECSC, as the case may be, the Bills shall make the Scoreboards (and any personnel necessary to operate the Scoreboards) available for all Civic Events.
4.11 Jumbotron. The Bills shall have the exclusive right to use and control the Jumbotron, as well as the control room or rooms used for the operation of the Jumbotron, at all Stadium Events during the Term, provided that the County and the ECSC shall have access to the Jumbotron in the event of an emergency. Upon request of the County or the ECSC, as the case may be, the Bills shall make the Jumbotron (and any personnel necessary to operate the Jumbotron) available for all Civic Events.
Take the Bills out of Buffalo, and we would not only demoralize most of Erie County, but most of Western NY as well. Losing the Bills is not an issue that even the bravest or brainless of politicians will tackle. Furthermore I do no think Ralph Wilson is the ogre that many have made him out to be. I believe that he has the best interests of Buffalo at heart.
If you want to see a really bad situation to compare the Bills to, take a look at the Oakland Raiders with their PSLs (personal seat licenses) and $80 per game tickets, and 3/4 full stadium.
Besides compared to the most of the other teams in the NFL, Bills tickets are cheap.
It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required. (Sir Winston Churchill)
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