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Bills gather fans’ views on stadium plans

NFL American football team the Buffalo Bills is canvassing opinions from supporters on whether it should build a new stadium or renovate New Era Field.

In November, Pegula Sports & Entertainment (PSE), ownership group of the Bills and NHL ice hockey team the Buffalo Sabres, hired strategic management consulting firm CAA ICON to assess the potential for a new stadium for the Bills and renovations to the Sabres’ KeyBank Center arena.

CAA ICON has been tasked with conducting a privately-funded study to help identify the best solutions for the teams’ ownership, fans and community.

The study will include direct feedback from both sets of supporters and Bills fans have this week been asked to complete an online survey and offer their thoughts on the team’s plans.

In a statement reported by the Buffalo News website, PSE said: “As we said when we announced our study in November, we are actively pursuing feedback from our fans. We are currently conducting a survey to gain the insight of a wide cross section of fans.”

Supporters are quizzed on their interest in professional and college sports, how often they attend games, their in-stadium preferences, and whether they would be willing to pay extra for a more premium experience.

Fans are also asked to give views on the Bills staying at New Era Field or relocating to a new stadium. New Era Field, which has a current capacity of 71,000, has been the Bills’ home since 1973.

New Era Field is located in Orchard Park, and fans are asked whether they would prefer the current location for a potential new stadium, or Downtown Buffalo, South of Buffalo, East of Buffalo or North of Buffalo.

CAA ICON will guide PSE through a stadium feasibility analysis to identify the needed improvements to all aspects of the fan and team experience at either a new stadium or a renovated New Era Field.