What lies ahead for the Bills in Erie Co.?

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) - The resurgent Buffalo Bills gave a hometown crowd something to cheer about at the Ralph on Sunday. But what happens to the team after the Ralph Wilson era ends?

Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority Chairman Daniel Oliverio said, "There's no reason not to want to get this done."

Oliverio likes what he heard from the NFL Commissioner Sunday, namely that there's no need for a new stadium, just improvements to Ralph Wilson Stadium.

>> NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell gave the team a positive outlook in WNY on Sunday

"That gives us a great chance to retain our franchise with Mr. Wilson's help, the help of the state and with some local help, I think we can do it," said Oliverio.

This is what Roger Goodell said after speaking with fans and watching the game inside Ralph Wilson Stadium Sunday:

"It's a great stadium to watch a game, it's one of the reasons I picked this to sit in the stands. I think it's a great experience to be here with the Bills fans and the sight lines are great. Second, I think the Bills and the state and the county have done a great job of continuing to make improvements to the stadium to keep it competitive but you have to continue to do that," said Goodell.

The Bills lease expires in a little under two years from now. The county already spends $4.8 million a year for Bills operating expenses like extra police patrol for the games. But the payback comes through sales tax revenue for each dollar spent on tickets or merchandise.

>> See photos from the Bills game against the Eagles

The control board chairman says Erie County's finances have improved in the past five years, and he sees no reason why the county couldn't fund a portion of stadium improvements over time.

Oliverio said, "I'm confident that leadership locally and at the state level can get this done and they're such an asset to our community that there's no reason not to."

A spokesman for County Executive Chris Collins says although formal Bills lease negotiations haven't started, informal talks have.