Category: PostNews

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Just as you need a license to drive, Bills fans will need a license to buy their season tickets.

Bottom line: A PSL, or personal seat license, provides another revenue stream for pro teams, generally to help pay for a new stadium or upgrades to an existing facility. But you only pay once. 

Ron Raccuia, the Buffalo Bills Executive VP, has been saying for close to a year that Bills’ season ticketholders can expect a new wrinkle in the gameplan for a new stadium.

Bills pushing for personal seat licenses at proposed new stadium

UB Law professor Helen Drew told News 4 the Bills are actually late to the game with the personal seat licenses, which tend to help spread out the costs to the team, the new stadium, and the cost to taxpayers.

Buffalo State economics professor Fred Floss likens the PSL to a tax on season ticketholders.

“To be able to make it look like their season tickets are a little bit cheaper than they really are,” he said. “For corporations and other individuals that can deduct these from their taxes, this makes it a good deal.”

PSLs can very widely in cost, depending on where they are levied. We saw seat licenses for the Dallas Cowboys listed on the resale market for as much as $180,000 for the most-expensive club seats, to as little as $1,100 for the Cleveland Browns — about where the Bills licenses are expected to go.

“$1,000, $1,100 is pretty much as low as most of them go, at least on the initial marketplace,“ Drew said. “The secondary marketplace can get a little bit dicey depending on how the team is doing.”

New Buffalo Bills stadium FAQs: Cost, location, open date, lease and more

Drew told News 4 PSLs go by other names, depending on the team. In some cases, the seat licenses provide other benefits.

“It might be a discount on parking, it might be discounted prices in the merchandise store, or concessions, sometimes there are personal meet and greets,” she said.

“We know our fans, we know this market,” Raccuia said. “We will not price them out of this market.”

Drew says PSLs can get complicated — if you fail to renew your season ticket, you would forfeit the license.

But on the other hand, they hold value and can be sold. When the Rams moved back to Los Angeles, they had to pay back some of the licenseholders left behind in Saint Louis.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — According to Buffalo Police, three officers were struck by gunfire during a pursuit Tuesday evening.

The officers’ injuries were reported as non-life threatening, though one is said to be in surgery. Multiple individuals are reportedly in custody. A news conference will be held at 8:30 p.m.

There is currently a heavy police presence at the intersections of E. Ferry Street and Fillmore Avenue, Sycamore Street and Fillmore, and Langfield Drive and Bailey Avenue, as well as at ECMC. News 4 has crews at several scenes and is working to confirm more details.

This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as more information is learned.

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — The owner of the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls and an associate are facing charges for defrauding COVID relief loan programs out of more than $750,000, as a federal grand jury returned an indictment, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

John Hutchins, 68, of Lewiston and Roberto Soliman, 39, of Niagara Falls have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. Hutchins, the venue’s owner, has also been charged with making a false statement and Soliman has been charged with money laundering. The charges reportedly carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

The indictment reportedly charges the pair with filing fraudulent loan applications under both the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which were designed to provide emergency financial assistance to businesses.

Hutchins and Soliman applied for loans under five companies owned by Hutchins:

Rapids Theatre Niagara Falls, USA, Inc.1711 Main, LLCBear Creek Entertainment, LLCHutch Enterprises, LLCThe Hutchins Agency, LLC

They also applied for a loan for CWE Entertainment, Corp., owned by Soliman.

Between March and August 2020, the pair reportedly received four EIDL loans totaling $749,500 and a PPP loan for $74,838. According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Hutchins and Soliman submitted false revenue and expense figures for the businesses on the applications.

The office said the two then used the funding for their own personal expenses, including residences in North Tonawanda and Lewiston, a 2020 BMW, a 2020 Cadillac, HOA fees for a condo in Florida and payments to relatives.

Hutchins has also been accused of making a false statement to an FBI Special Agent and a U.S. Attorney’s office investigator while denying applying for or authorizing application for the loans, with the possible exception of one PPP loan for the Rapids Theatre.

Soliman has been accused of laundering money to use the fraudulent loan proceeds for personal expenses.

ORCHARD PARK N.Y. (WIVB) – The new stadium deal isn’t just a touchdown for Bills fans, but a big win for Orchard Park. The deal will be bringing construction, jobs and extra business to the Southtowns.

“If you’re ever here on a Bills Sunday, there are people everywhere. It’s exciting,” said Cyndi Matla, the Southtowns Regional Chamber of Commerce executive director. “I think just seeing that momentum, seeing something moving forward, knowing they’re going to stay in the Southtowns — in our area in general — is huge for all of the businesses as well as other Bills fans in the area.”

“We’re thrilled. It pretty much makes our year,” said Peggy Cerrone, who owns the restaurant O’Neill’s, located near the stadium. “We’re happy that we’re not losing it.”

Cerrone said she’d also like to see hotels added near the new Bills Stadium.

“I’m hoping that with the new stadium, they’re smarter about providing support for businesses,” she said. “We need hotels here. We see it always with games. People waiting for Ubers because the hotels are miles away it would be just nicer if people can walk.”

The zoning code in Orchard Park currently prohibits new hotels taller than two stories. Town supervisor Eugene Majchrzak says the town is considering changing the zoning code once more details on the stadium site are released.

“Then we can determine from there is there a town property that we need to rezone, do we need to look at current zoning and set up a specific area for hotels that might be more than three stories,” he said.

Bills season ticket holders say they’re excited to see what the area will look like once crews break ground

“I’m excited that it’s staying in Orchard Park, probably more so because I’m used to it. I grew up down the road, so more selfishly I’m excited it’s staying kinda right where it is,” said Bills season ticket holder Tom Elliot.

“It’s great. Keep everything rolling and maybe some new businesses too,” said Bills season ticket holder Dave Schifferle.

PALM BEACH, Fla. (WIVB) — News 4’s Chris Horvatits spoke with Buffalo Bills Executive Vice President Ron Raccuia at the NFL owners meetings Tuesday about the new stadium coming to Orchard Park.

“It’ll be completely unlike Highmark Stadium,” Raccuia said. “It’s a state-of-the-art facility that we’re building. Highmark’s 50+ years old, a lot’s changed since then. It’ll look nothing like Highmark at all.”

The full interview can be seen above.

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) — Cheektowaga police are looking for help finding a missing person.

They say that Ahmed Mohammed left in a black 2007 GMC Arcadia “in the middle of the night.” The last numbers on the license plate are “4370.” According to police, he’s had limited contact with his family, which they say is unusual for him.

Ahmed is 21, has black hair and brown eyes, weighs 160 lbs. and is 5’10”.

He’s believed to be in the western New York area. Anyone with information on his whereabouts can call the Cheektowaga Police Department at (716) 686-3500.

KENMORE, N.Y. (WIVB) — Nickel City Church in Kenmore is hosting its “Free Kids Clothing Closet” event for local families March 29 and 30 from 3 to 7 p.m.

The church has reported “an abundance of donations” from Kid’s Corner Clothing and Consignment Shop over the past year and is not taking donations from the public at this time. Clothing is free for kids of all ages. The church is located at the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Hamilton Boulevard.

To learn more information about the event, click here.

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. (WIVB) – St. Bonaventure University organized buses to take more than 300 students to Tuesday night’s NIT semifinal game against Xavier University at Madison Square Garden.

However, more than 50 of those Bonnie faithful will not be in attendance as planned. 

Bonnies receive send-off for NIT final four at Madison Square Garden

Around 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, News 4 received a tip that one of the buses transporting students to the game had caught on fire right outside of Binghamton, only 2 hours into the trip. There were 52 students and 2 chaperones aboard.  

Chief Communication Officer Thomas Missel confirmed the fire was small and there were no injuries to report. 

Bonaventure advances to NIT semifinals, beats Virginia 52-51

Those aboard the affected bus were sent to wait in a nearby McDonald’s until university vans arrived to take them back to campus. The other 300 students aboard the other buses continued their trip to the game.  

The St. Bonaventure Bonnies are set to tipoff at 7 p.m. after upsetting Colorado State, Oklahoma, and Virginia on their way to the NIT’s Final Four.

DARIEN CENTER, N.Y. (WIVB) — Six Flags Darien Lake will be hosting a hiring event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 9 at the park’s hotel.

The theme park announced last month it plans to hire 1,500 people for the 2022 season. According to the park, there are positions open in over 10 departments, including 200 lifeguard and ride attendant openings. The park also said candidates who attend the event can have immediate interviews and may receive job offers in the same day.

The park is looking for applicants 16 years old and older, but also has a select amount of positions open for 14 and 15-year-olds. Interested individuals can text “JOBS” to (585) 207-8400 or click this link to apply. They can also visit the human resources office at the park Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Questions can be directed to (585) 599-5108.

Six Flags Darien Lake opens May 27. To learn more about the park, click here.

PALM BEACH, Fla. (WIVB) – New York State will spend $600 million – more than 40% of the estimated cost – to help build a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park. With the NFL owners gathered in Florida for the annual league meeting, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson had complimentary words for Governor Kathy Hochul.

“A courageous move on her part, and very, very good for the state,” Johnson said.

New Buffalo Bills stadium FAQs: Cost, location, open date, lease and more

The Bills, State, and Erie County announced Monday they had an agreement to fund the stadium and a 30-year lease for the team to play in it beginning in 2026. The public subsidy – a record $850 million between the state and county – still needs approval from lawmakers. But for all intents and purposes, the deal is done.

“The toughest thing I’ve ever had to do was build a stadium,” said Johnson, who sits on the NFL’s stadium committee. “It is very, very tough.”

The New York Giants and Jets opened MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. in 2010. It was a privately funded project, according to reports.

The league’s owners on Monday voted in favor of a $200 million loan to go toward the Bills stadium project.

Mark Murphy, the Clarence native who serves as President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers said he was happy for Bills fans and the community when the deal was announced. He was also supportive of Hochul and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.

“The Governor and the County Executive – it’s not easy to dole out public money. But I think in this situation, you realize how much it meant. To lose the Bills would be devastating. When the Braves left, I was devastated,” Murphy said, invoking the NBA franchise which formerly played in Buffalo.

“This really sets the model for small market teams,” Murphy added.

Two months after Bills-Chiefs, NFL changes OT rules

Mark Wilf, the Minnesota Vikings co-owner who is the chairman of the league’s stadium committee, agreed.

“It’s a great model,” Wilf said. “It’s worked in Minneapolis. It worked for us. It worked for other teams around the league. In a small market like Buffalo and Western New York where the fans are so great and passionate, I think it’s a great model for economic development and job growth that a stadium brings.”

Hochul projects the stadium deal will create 10,000 construction jobs. She argued economic and tax impacts from having the team in Western New York will cover the public subsidy and then some. However, economists have argued to News 4 that building a new stadium does not often lead to economic growth.

State and county have little bargaining power in Bills stadium negotiations, economists say

Political opponents of the Governor, however, have put a different spin on things. Rep. Tom Suozzi, who is challenging Hochul for the Democratic nomination for governor, was quick to attack on Monday. He argued “there was a way to get (the stadium) built without the Governor forcing hard-working New Yorkers to fork over their tax dollars” to the Pegulas.

Rep. Lee Zeldin, a Republican candidate for governor, said Monday that Hochul “should have taken a stronger negotiating position” during talks.

But Hochul defended the deal, arguing it makes sense for taxpayers.

“We’re very excited about this,” she said. “It’s a great day for Western New York, and I’m really proud we could negotiate such a good deal for the state and our many, many fans in Western New York, New York State and throughout the country.”