ERIE COUNTY, NY— Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz issued the following statement regarding an agreement between Terry & Kim Pegula and the trust currently controlling the Buffalo Bills franchise that would allow the Pegulas to purchase the Buffalo Bills. The agreement, which must first be approved by the National Football League’s Finance Committee and then the NFL owners, will permit the Pegulas to acquire all of the interest in the Buffalo Bills franchise.

“On behalf of all Erie County residents and Buffalo Bills fans everywhere across the globe, I am very pleased to see Terry & Kim Pegula prevail in the bidding process and prepare to move forward with ownership of the Bills. As I have said all along, my primary interest throughout the ownership transition was in keeping the Bills in Buffalo, and with the Pegula family as new owners those concerns have been put to rest for me and for all Bills fans. I spoke to Mr. Pegula earlier this afternoon to congratulate him and express my administration’s desire to work closely with him and his team as the sale is finalized and attention focuses on the long-term status of the Bills in Erie County. I would like to thank the Pegulas for their belief in our region, their commitment to Erie County, and their professionalism throughout the bidding process. I would also like to thank Mrs. Mary Wilson, Jeff Littmann, Russ Brandon, Mary Owen,  and the entire Bills organization for their hard work throughout this trying time and for their role in securing a new owner with such strong ties to Western New York. The Bills have been an outstanding community partner since Ralph Wilson placed them here in 1960, and I thank them for their many contributions over the past 50-plus years while looking forward to the next chapter in their history here.”