The new stadium of the Buffalo Bills is largely financed by the taxpayers of the US state of New York. A fact that is now causing anger among some congressmen.

Munich – Less than a fortnight ago, the Buffalo Bills announced the construction of a new stadium in Orchard Park in New York. The jewel is to cost 1.4 billion US dollars, with the franchise receiving 600 million from New York State, according to a report in the “Buffalo News”. This is according to the budget approved for the year 2022/23.

But the decision to subsidise the construction of a stadium for a billionaire couple’s franchise so heavily is now causing anger.

“Our public schools got less than the Buffalo Bills’ stadium,” Democratic MP Yuh-Line Niou fretted in an interview with the newspaper. “The climate bill, the climate project that we really wanted, also got less than the Buffalo Bills project. Is this what we stand for? This is a moment where we have to look at where our priorities are.”

Twenty-three of 39 lawmakers had voted against funding in the Senate.

Bills should stay in New York

For Governor Kathy Hochul, on the other hand, funding for the stadium is a major concern, as she is desperate to prevent the NFL team from moving to another state.

The Bills have played in Highmark Stadium since 1973, and the franchise wants to move into its new home in 2026. In addition to the 600 million from the state of New York, the owner couple Terry and Kim Pegula can look forward to further tax money for their new stadium. Erie County is contributing an additional 250 million