The use of public money to finance new stadiums for professional sports franchises is always a contentious issue for taxpayers. That is certainly the case in New York after it was announced that $850 million in public funds would go toward a new stadium for the Bills.
Terry and Pegula and his wife Kim own the Buffalo NFL franchise, as well as the NHL’s Sabres. Per Forbes, he is worth nearly $6 billion. Even so, the state and local governments will foot a huge chunk of the bill on a stadium to replace Highmark Stadium and keep the franchise in Western New York.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Buffalo native, was asked about the use of public funds for the stadium—rather than aiding those experiencing mental health concerns or the unhoused—by a caller during an interview with WNYC’s Brian Lehrer. She said that she has to balance the needs of those upstate and downstate and that there is significant local support to keep the Bills in Western New York.
