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The Buffalo Bills have one of the most passionate fan bases in the NFL and just as the team became Super Bowl contenders, rumors of relocation began. With a lease at Highmark Stadium ending in 2023 and threats of a move to Austin thrown out, many are left wondering how long will Buffalo’s NFL team remain.
Amid stalled stadium talks with the city, ESPN’s Seth Wickersham reported on Aug. 1 that Bills’ ownership threatened Austin as a potential destination site for the franchise.
While the team’s partnership with Buffalo doesn’t expire until 2023, relocation spots were already being discussed in an effort to receive full public investment for a stadium.
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The Pegula family threatening to move the team if Buffalo didn’t agree to cover a significant portion of an estimated $1.4 billion cost for a new stadium. But, as The Athletic’s Tim Graham explained, there’s very little reason to expect the Bills will leave anytime soon.
Why the Buffalo Bills won’t relocate
Austin politicians reportedly weren’t even aware that their city was under consideration as a future home for an NFL team. Furthermore, the Pegulas signed a no-relocation clause as part of their current agreement with the city and while that does expire after the 2022 season, no one expects the franchise to move.
Check out Sportsnaut’s Buffalo Bills preview and 2021 predictions
Instead, the Pegulas are seeking Buffalo’s city leaders to make far more compromises in negotiations. Bills’ ownership wants a new Orchard Park stadium built across from the team’s current venue. The location is noteworthy because it’s projected to be $1 billion cheaper than building downtown.
Terry Pegula, who has an estimated net worth of $5.4 billion, also wants the city to cover a majority of the cost.
Both Graham and ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacquez have covered the franchise for years and their reporting all points toward the Bills staying in Buffalo.
Find out where Highmark Stadium lands in Sportsnaut’s NFL stadium rankings
Negotiations between city officials and the Pegula family will likely result in public leaks in an effort to sway the public. But relocation threats only go so far. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones enjoys controlling the market and Texas and has the sway to block any potential move to Austin.
As for other relocation sites, the top options come with issues. Oakland likely wouldn’t want to spend the amount of money the Pegulas are looking for a city to commit, St. Louis is in a legal fight with the NFL and San Diego might be years away from getting a second chance with the NFL team.
With all things considered, there is little reason to believe the Buffalo Bills are moving before the NFL CBA expires in 2030. So, fans can look forward to Josh Allen putting this team in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy every year.