NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is "confident" the Bills will "continue to remain successful in Western New York, but to do so requires a new stadium," according to Jay Skurski of the BUFFALO NEWS. Goodell yesterday said, “We said at the time when they entered into their new lease, that this is really a short-term solution. We need to find the right long-term solution that is good for the community and can help the Bills continue to be successful in Western New York, and I’m confident we’ll get there." Goodell’s words elicited "positive reactions" from area politicians. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was "open to the idea," and County Exec Mark Poloncarz "wants all options available." Cuomo did "not dismiss the idea of a new stadium," while Poloncarz "emphasized that the option of renovating the current facility should not be dismissed." Goodell said that the process of selling the team is "just getting started." Goodell: "I’ve had a lot of discussions with prospective owners, but I’ve also had discussions with public officials. We all want to focus and get that stadium and do it the right way and get the right ownership in there to make sure they continue to be successful in Western New York.” Goodell, asked whether the NFL would approve an ownership group with designs on moving the team -- specifically to Toronto -- said, "Well, that hasn't happened, so you're dealing with a lot of hypotheticals in there. There's two votes. There’s one vote to approve an ownership, and if a team potentially relocates, it’s another vote. We’re not making those one vote. ... The intention is, whoever buys the team will be trying to make the team work in Western New York” (BUFFALO NEWS, 5/8).
