BUFFALO, NY — In a sign the Bills are closing in on a new stadium deal, the team has hired Populous to develop plans for a new home in Buffalo.
This was mentioned at theAssociated Press someone familiar with the discussions on Thursday.
The person spoke anonymously because Pegula Sports and Entertainment, which notably manages the Bills, did not announce a decision.
The Athletic first broke the news earlier on Thursday.
The Bills are negotiating with New York State and Erie County for a deal that would commit hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds.
The goal: to build a stadium very close to the current one, in Orchard Park.
A state study estimated that the project for an open-air stadium, with more than 60,000 seats, would cost $1.354 billion.
Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul said she was confident she could strike a deal this month.
This would allow the project to be included in the state budget, scheduled for April.
Populous is recognized as a world leader in stadium design. Its project portfolio includes Olympic Games venues, including in Beijing, and numerous NFL stadiums, including those of the Dolphins and Cardinals.
The Bills are looking to replace their current stadium. Inaugurated in 1973, it was considered too expensive to renovate.
If the project is approved, construction could be completed for the start of the 2026 season.
