There aren’t too many fanbases in the NFL, or perhaps in all of sports, that are more infamous than the supporters of the Buffalo Bills.
Whether it’s a passionate member of Bills Mafia willing their team on at Orchard Park shirtless during a 20-degree day, or someone being pile-driven through a table during a spirited pregame tailgate, it’s hard to find a more loyal group of fans than the base the Bills have.
"Mafia" means a lot of things to a lot of people… But if you're a Buffalo fan, there's only one true definition that can be used. "Mafia Means Family" caps are now available! https://t.co/bU9Ugkk862 #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/0I9WIsavUt
— 26shirts: Buffalo (@26shirts) July 26, 2021
That’s why it came as a bit of a shock when the Pegula family, who currently owns the team, floated a possibility of moving the franchise out of Buffalo.
The Bills have been a fixture in Western New York since their AFL days began in 1960.
Despite that lineage, ownership is trying to get a new taxpayer funded stadium to replace the current facility, and are using other NFL team-less cities as leverage to make that happen.
It was floated that the Bills would consider moving to Austin, Texas if progress on their wishes were not met.
It’s extremely difficult to imagine the Bills playing anywhere outside of Buffalo, since their home-field advantage is one of the best in the NFL.
Happy 716 Day, #BillsMafia!!! pic.twitter.com/voJpruy58h
— The #BillsMafia (@BuffaloFAMbase) July 16, 2021
However, as a thought exercise (look away Bills fans), we’ll pontificate about three cities which could welcome them if they decided to relocate.
3. St. Louis
The gateway city has been used as a pawn in the NFL relocation game before.
In 1995, St. Louis brought in the Rams, who made their way out of Los Angeles.
The city wasn’t quite ready to receive the team upon their arrival, and the Rams had to play a few home games at Busch Stadium, better known as the venue where MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals play.
Later in their inaugural season, the Trans World Dome opened for business, and little did we know, an identity would be created for the nomadic franchise.
In 1999, one of the more iconic offensive teams in league history was born, as quarterback Kurt Warner stepped in and led “The Greatest Show On Turf” all the way to a Super Bowl title.
As it turned out around 20 years later, the dome ended up being a main reason for the Rams leaving to return home to Los Angeles.
If given the chance at another NFL franchise, it’s possible they would be more prepared this time.
2. San Diego
A San Diego relocation for the Bills would just be bizarre, admittedly.
As a city whose weather might be the most immaculate in the country, San Diego’s t-shirt and shorts vibe all year round would be hard to reconcile with the Bills’ wind chill and blizzard mystique.
In addition, the Chargers and the Bills have been doing battle since their AFL days in the 1960’s, and more recently for AFC supremacy in the 1990s.
While they’re a tough match to imagine on paper, San Diego seems to be more viable as a home city than another major city’s secondary act.
The Chargers have learned the hard way that relocating to a location with a lot of other attractions makes it difficult to establish roots.
At least the Bills would be the only NFL show in town, and the San Diego faithful would probably relish the chance to fall in love with a team again.
1. Portland
If the Bills wanted to keep their small town persona alive and well, there are a ton of cities across the United States they could choose from.
However, perhaps no city would be more intriguing or deserving to have a chance at hosting the Bills than Portland, Oregon.
By comparison, Portland is actually much larger than Buffalo, with a population approximating 650,000 (Buffalo only has around 250,000).
But their reputation as a rabid fanbase small-market sports locale is well respected.
They’ve been home to the NBA’s Trail Blazers for 51 years, and have been an excellent addition to Major League Soccer in the last decade.
The Portland Timbers have a strong following and a raucous atmosphere playing at Providence Park.
There figures to be enough passion leftover to support an NFL team with the same fervor in northwestern Oregon.
NEXT: Bills Ownership Sounding Evil With Talks Of Relocation
Paul Sheehan says
i would love to see the bills stay in new york, because they are the only team to play in new york
[email protected] says
If Erie County and the State of NY do not come up with the funding then, Buffalo does not deserve to have the NFL team any longer. I have been a Bills fan since 1960. I witnessed a the anger residents showed when Rich Stadium (now Highmark) was built and, it made me sick. WNY and Buffalo are the Bills. The Bills are not Buffalo. The region needs them more than the team needs the region to be honest. Let’s face it, no one is traveling to Buffalo for the weather or scenic sites. I know as I am a native, born and raised and left 40 years ago. Yes, I do go back to games albeit now at club level but, the lack of commitment by your elected officials boggles the mind. Note, there is revenue flowing into the area due to the Bills. Just as the Curtiss Hotel when people attend games.
Finally, as a long standing fan and advent on-looker of the vaunted Bills Mafia, why is there no creative financing considerations floated as well. My suggestion would be to float a public bond for sale to the international fan base to help construct the new stadium. Not an arrangement like Green Bay has but rather similar to a SPAC, where over 30 years purchasers of the bond would receive earned interest payments (non tax deferred). Such an arrangement would provide additional funding sources, demonstrate to the elected officials the commitment of their electorate and take the decision out of the hands of a few politicians placating their constituents with platitudes around not raising their taxes. (Which we all know they do regardless, with no residual benefits truly impacting the community.
So Buffalo, Erie County, and Governor (from Hamburg,NY), “put up or shut up”. Don’t complain if the franchise moves and don’t be surprised thinking the Bills Mafia fan base is enough to keep the Bills in Buffalo. After all, they moved the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Colts didn’t they.