Bills owner factoring public cost into looming stadium decision

Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula will consider the financial strain on local fans as he decides whether to renovate New Era Field or build a new stadium.

"Whatever we're going to do stadium-wise is going to be in the best interest of our fans," Pegula told John Wawrow of The Associated Press. "We have the interest of our fans at heart, and what we do will be heavily weighted - whatever the plan is - toward the benefit of our fans."

Stadium issues have surrounded the Bills since before Pegula purchased the franchise in 2014. New Era Field has housed the Bills since 1973, making it one of the oldest venues in the league.

The NFL prefers a new stadium for the Bills, one that would compare to the several state-of-the-art creations the league has overseen throughout the last decade. But a new stadium would be significantly more expensive than renovating the current one.

The Bills are awaiting the results of a feasibility study from a private firm to help determine their next stadium steps.

"As far as professional sports teams go, Buffalo's the biggest little city in the country," Pegula said. "And our fans need their due as far as whatever we do with venues for them to attend our games."

Pegula has a net worth of $5.56 billion, according to Bloomberg. He is also exploring the feasibility of a new arena for his NHL franchise, the Buffalo Sabres.