ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW) — 7 Eyewitness News has learned the Buffalo Bills will remain in Orchard Park through 2023.
The team will not exercise the one-time opt-out in the 2013 stadium agreement with Erie County.
The decision had many fans at Kettles Korner, a bar near New Era Field, very excited.
"We're Buffalo, we're Orchard Park forever, we've been here forever, we need to stay here," said Eric Addison of Hamburg. "Do a couple of renovations if that's what has to happen."
Other fans said they would like to see a stadium downtown in the future.
"With all the new stuff happening in Buffalo, transitioning into a medical hub from a rust belt city, I think it would be just a great transition and new beginnings," said Frank Clougherty.
If the Bills had elected to opt-out they would have had to do so by February 28th, 2020 and the lease would have ended July 30th, 2020.
The opt-out would have carried a $28 million fee.
The Bills sent a letter to Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz to inform the county of its intentions.
There are media reports of my receipt of a letter from @BuffaloBills confirming they will not early terminate the lease. That is correct. I requested the letter from them to show their commitment and good faith to the county and community. They delivered and I thank them. #Bills pic.twitter.com/1O94dILXJY
— Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) January 31, 2020
