When Terry and Kim Pegula purchased the Buffalo Bills back in 2014, there was the expectation from the NFL and others that they would deal with the ongoing stadium issue in a very significant way.
New Era Field received $130-million in upgrades as part of the new stadium lease deal back in 2013, but that was considered a short term solution to a long term problem.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz was part of negotiating that lease back in 2013, and should he win re-election next year, he will have to deal with the issue once again.
"That's a decision that we are going to entertain over time and have those discussions with the Pegulas and New York State."
The last time Kim Pegula spoke to the issue was at the NFL spring meetings back in May. She told the Buffalo News that she wasn't sure they could "get there" on paying for a new stadium which would likely surpass the $1.4-billion they paid to purchase the franchise.
That has led to increased speculation the Pegulas will ultimately decide to once again, renovate New Era Field, which was completed back in 1973.
Poloncarz warns against over-spending for a facility the region and the fan base can't afford.
"So what we're going to do is in the best interest of this community, the best interest of the team, and the best interest of government to ensure that this team is here for many more decades to come... but we don't price ourselves by creating this mega-monster, that the local community cannot afford."
Poloncarz points to the upgrades to the club sections at New Era Field that team is currently paying for, and says Erie County continues to improve infrastructure as required as part of the current lease. He says the integrity of the facility remains strong looking to the future.
"We know that the bones of the stadium are good and we could get at least 20-to-25 years additional if not much was done...and if you did a whole lot of retro-fitting like they did in Kansas City's Arrrowhead Stadium, or Lambeau Field, or Soldier Field in Chicago, you could get many, many, more decades."
Poloncarz would not comment on the specific nature of the talks he's had with the Pegulas on the issue.
Pegula Sports and Entertainment refused to comment for this story.