July 21, 1997

Commissioner Tagliabue on Bills’ Stadium Situation

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue says he is cautiously optimistic that the stadium lease negotiations between the Buffalo Bills and county and state officials will be successfully resolved.

"We are totally focused on keeping the Bills in Western New York," Commissioner Tagliabue told the Buffalo News last Friday (July 20).

Regarding rumors that the NFL is helping the Bills explore a move to Toronto or Cleveland, Tagliabue said, "Buffalo moving anywhere has never been discussed."

Tagliabue joined other NFL officials last Friday in categorically denying a published report out of Toronto claiming the league has advised Wilson to strongly consider moving the Bills there, should they leave Buffalo. The commissioner called the report ridiculous. "I don’t know where that came from," Tagliabue said.

Tagliabue’s office is working with the Bills and local officials on the Rich Stadium lease matter.