The Buffalo Bills reportedly have reached an agreement with the state and county that will keep the team in Orchard Park for another decade. The 10-year deal calls for $130 million in stadium renovations, with the team footing $35 million of the cost and the taxpayers of the county and state the rest of the bill. A source says that any owner wishing to relocate the franchise would have to pay a $400-million fee to Erie County and New York state. That’s roughly half of what the franchise is valued at.
The agreement also contains a one-time out clause, meaning the ownership group that succeeds 94-year-old Ralph Wilson would be able to move the team after seven years without having to pay the relocation penalty. The clause apparently is good only after that seventh year for just one year. After that, the relocation fee kicks back in.