NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell "would like to see Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula, the NFL, Erie County, and New York State come together in the funding and building of a new stadium," according to Sal Maiorana of the ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE. Not that Goodell "came right out and said that" yesterday in Buffalo, but the "undercurrent was there when he was asked about Buffalo's stadium issue." Goodell said, "Terry and Kim, they’ve made a big difference in the NFL already, they’ve been very active, and I know they feel strongly about this region, as I do. They’re looking to find the right solutions, they’ll do it patiently, but they’ll find the right long-term solution." Maiorana notes several NFL owners "were against Buffalo’s decision to renovate Ralph Wilson Stadium" in '13-14. And at the NFL owners’ meeting in March, a few "commented that it would be in the best interest of the Bills and the league to build a new stadium." Goodell: "That’s one of the things that Terry is going through -- what does it take to make sure the Bills remain here on a successful basis? That’s their objective, that’s their commitment, and we fully support that. We have league funding available to help in that kind of circumstance. Stadiums are important, just to make sure the team here can continue to compete, not only in the NFL, but also to compete in this environment" (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 6/7). Goodell said that there is "no timetable" on when the Bills must renovate or replace the stadium, which is owned by Erie County. ESPN.com's Mike Rodak noted the team's current lease with the county, which began in '13, runs through '22. Goodell: "You have to build a stadium that's right for the community. So it's up to the community and Terry to really get focused on, what does it take, what's the right location, what are the alternatives" (ESPN.com, 6/6).
