Buffalo Bills stadium focus groups are being formed, part of an ongoing study of the team’s long-term facility options.
In November, Bills owner Pegula Sports & Entertainment (PSE) announced that CAA Icon will conduct a study on the team’s stadium options–including a new stadium or a major renovation to New Era Field. An online survey for fans has already been a part of that process, which will now include focus groups on a potential new stadium.
A focus group conducted by CAA Icon is scheduled for next Tuesday. According to an email sent to fans this week, the firm “will be conducting a limited number of focus groups in Buffalo.” More from Buffalo News:
The next step in that process is a focus group that will be held at HarborCenter on Tuesday. Fans who had previously completed a survey regarding the Bills’ stadium project were contacted by email Monday night from the address BuffaloBillsFocusGroup@caaicon.com.
“On behalf of the Buffalo Bills and Pegula Sports and Entertainment, thank you for completing the survey regarding the Buffalo Bills stadium project,” the email reads. “You had indicated interest in participating in a focus group session to help us better your potential interest in the project. CAA ICON will be conducting a limited number of focus groups in Buffalo.”
For the Bills, this study comes as the franchise tries to formulate its stadium plan. Opening in 1973, New Era Field is one of the older facilities in the NFL and–with the team’s lease there expiring in 2023–could be eyed for a major renovation or a replacement in the near future.
PSE is also having CAA ICON look into potential plans for another one of its teams that is facing long-term facility questions, the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres. In that case, the firm will consider potential renovations to KeyBank Center, an arena that opened in 1996 but has fallen behind NHL standards due to its aging condition as new venues open and many facilities that debuted around the same time period receive extensive renovations.
Image courtesy Buffalo Bills.
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