Schumer reveals plan to keep Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) - Senator Schumer is putting pressure on the NFL to get the Bills more money, so they can stay in Buffalo.

The Bills lease expires next July and right now negotiations between the team, county and state are ongoing The team is seeking upgrades upwards of $200 million for the 40-year-old stadium.

With Erie County having limited resources County Executive Mark Poloncarz expects the state to commit some funding because the team is estimated to bring in between $15 million and $20 million in state taxes.

Up for discussion right now is how to divide the costs between the county, state, as well as the Bills. The NFL has a system in place to help its franchise pay for capital improvements.

Senator Schumer is calling on the NFL to amend the G-4 Loan Program, so the Bills can achieve the intended benefits. Schumer wants to preserve the "Due on Relocation" rule, so a new owner would get penalized for moving the Buffalo Bills from Ralph Wilson Stadium. Schumer wants the NFL to waive the "Due on Sale" rule, so future owners will not need to repay former loans upon sale.

Schumer says amending G-4 Loan Program will enable the Bills to get at least the $25 million loan match.

  >>  READ: Senator Schumers letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

“I will do everything in my power to keep the Bills right here in Buffalo. Because of the their unique situation, the bottom line is that the NFL’s loan program to upgrade stadiums, as structured, is practically useless for the Bills. Making some basic, common sense changes to this key NFL loan program is something that can generate significant resources for much-needed stadium renovations, and could do so in a way that provides significant incentive for any future owner to keep the team in western New York,” said Schumer.