ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW) — On Thursday morning, the Buffalo Bills announced a new name for the stadium formerly known as New Era Field. The Bills will open up their season at Bills Stadium, after the team and New Era Cap agreed to end their deal for naming rights.
By Thursday afternoon, Bills fans were already hearing the first public interest expressed in obtaining the stadium's naming rights.
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, is showing interest on Twitter, beginning with a quote retweet of the team shortly after noon.
Dear @BuffaloBills Where do I apply? https://t.co/qsvOP14o1w
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 20, 2020
In case anyone was unsure of the veracity of Portnoy's interest, he further clarified Barstool is "very serious" about the naming rights.
After a brief conversation with those who matter I am here to say we are very serious about buying the naming rights of the @BuffaloBills stadium and will enter the process.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 20, 2020
Portnoy and Barstool have often turned to Buffalo-- specifically Bills Mafia-- for content. The sports blog with filled with references to Bills Mafia, Bills fans' penchant for breaking tables,their sometimesbizarre tailgating activities, and has profiled notable fans like Pinto Ron.
Regardless of who obtains the agreement with the team, it's unclear how much the naming rights for Bills Stadium will cost. New Era was paying $4 million per season. The stadium was originally called Rich Stadium; it was renamed "Ralph Wilson Stadium" in 1998 in honor of the team's founder, Ralph Wilson Jr.
