A panel of high-ranking Buffalo business execs was "quietly formed last summer to help push a Bills stadium deal across the finish line," according to Dan Miner of BUFFALO BUSINESS FIRST. The group was convened with the approval of Bills co-Owners Terry and Kim Pegula and "has been a sounding board and advocacy group" for Pegula Sports & Entertainment Exec VP Ron Raccuia, who "led the negotiations." The business leaders have "met regularly with him both as a group and individually, sometimes offering a sympathetic ear or strategic advice, and other times carrying messages to their own business and political networks." Raccuia said that he formed the group to "lean on the collective business expertise as he sought everything from advice on dealing with the media to moments of tension during the negotiations." Softbank Capital N.Y. Managing Partner Jordan Levy even "stepped into a direct role in the negotiations in December to help close the deal."
| BILLS STADIUM PANEL* |
| NAME |
TITLE |
| Dave Anderson |
Former Highmark Western & Northeastern N.Y. CEO |
| Jonathan Dandes |
Rich Products Senior VP |
| Dottie Gallagher |
Buffalo Niagra Partnership President & CEO |
| Richard Gold |
M&T Bank President & COO |
| Jordan Levy |
Softbank Capital N.Y. Managing Partner |
| William Maggio |
Lorraine Capital Managing Partner |
| Anthony Massiello |
Massiello, Martucci & Associates lobbyist and former Buffalo Mayor |
| Tom Wiley |
Buffalo News President & Publisher |
| *Chart compiled by Sports Business Journal |
Another group that emerged with an "impactful voice" was the Business Backs Buffalo Football group, organized by Martin Group CBO Matt Davison. The group includes a "who's who of rising business professionals in Western New York and nearby markets." The group was "engaged regularly for thoughts and feedback." Raccuia last sat down over lunch with them "in early March" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/16).
