The Buffalo Bills have been in their current location since 1960 when they joined the upstart American Football League.
Throughout their stay in the Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metropolitan Area, the team has won two AFL championships and 11 division titles.
They also made the Super Bowl for four straight years but did not win any.
However, there’s renewed hope because of the team’s current resurgence.
The Bills made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game last season and they have their talented core intact.
AFC east standings.
1 Buffalo Bills.
2 Buffalo Bills backups.
3 Miami Dolphins.
4 New England Patriots
5 NY Jets— Jim Wickens (@cincyplanner) August 23, 2021
Josh Allen proved himself as a reliable starting quarterback and was rewarded with a six-year, $258 million extension.
He has talented targets in Zack Moss, Devin Singletary, Cole Beasley, and Stefon Diggs.
Tre’Davious White, Tremaine Edmunds, and Micah Hyde are the cornerstones of their defense.
But now that the Bills are legitimate contenders, there’s a threat of them bringing a championship to another city other than Buffalo.
Relocation Rumors To Texas
The venue now known as Highmark Stadium has been in existence since 1973.
It has used other names like Ralph Wilson Stadium, New Era Field, and Bills Stadium.
This stadium which is notorious for erratic wind patterns due its proximity to Lake Erie can accommodate 71,608 seated fans.
That was a reduced number from its peak of around 80,000 due to renovations.
Some of the changes include bigger HD boards for sponsors, expanded concession areas, and larger entrance gates, to name a few.
In 2012, the Bills, the state of New York, and Erie County signed a lease agreement that will allow the team to stay until 2023.
With the agreement expiring in two years, the Bills already shared proposals for a new stadium.
As with any other negotiation for stadiums, public funding is always at the forefront.
Will the Buffalo Bills relocate?
"…it’s one of the largest asks for public money in pro sports stadium negotiations: Pegula Sports and Entertainment, the team’s owners, have pitched a $1.5 billion proposal for a new stadium…"https://t.co/rIP6y8lzUh— Athlon CIF (@AthlonCif) August 5, 2021
Therefore, the state and the county’s willingness to splurge for construction will make or break the deal.
In a recent ESPN article, Erie County executive Mark Poloncarz said that they would like to finalize a fair deal that won’t leave both sides shelling out unfair amounts of money.
If all parties don’t come to terms, the Bills can simply threaten to call another city their home.
We’ve seen those episodes in recent years with the Rams and the Chargers both moving to Los Angeles.
Then there’s the Raiders transfer from Oakland to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The Bills identified Austin, Texas as their potential transfer area.
However, there’s an inkling towards the Bills to Austin move being barred from happening.
The Cowboys Veto
There’s no denying that Texas is football country.
No wonder the state has opulent stadiums for high school football teams.
If that’s the case, what more for college football?
Having more football won’t hurt the state, especially in a metropolitan area like Austin.
But one man will be highly concerned once that happens: Jerry Jones.
The Dallas Cowboys team owner has enough power to block the move once it goes into a vote and he has strong reasons to do so.
"It feels to me like a way to tell Buffalo hey if you don't want us we got some other places..
Now would Jerry Jones allow another team in Texas? I'm not so sure"@RapSheet on talk of the Bills moving to Austin while negotiating for a new stadium #BillsMafia #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/4lKgBW6AOQ
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 19, 2021
First, he wants his team to be the top NFL draw in the state and AT&T Stadium to be the mecca of football in Texas.
Sorry Houston Texans fans but, win or lose, the Cowboys are just a better draw.
Allowing a contender like the Bills to enter their realm might spell doom for the Cowboys.
Likewise, it can diminish the Cowboys’ valuation which is currently at $6.5 billion.
That said, Jones will do anything that he can to prevent the Austin Bills from becoming a reality.
Of course, he can package it in altruistic terms that Buffalo and the team are made for each other.
But come to think of it, having the Bills stay is best for the NFL.
They get to continually engage that demographic that loves their team like family.
More importantly, it separates the men from the boys.
Play well under the challenging weather conditions in Buffalo and you deserve to be in the NFL.
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