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Could the Bills Relocate to Austin?
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Source: The Pat McAfee Show
As the Buffalo Bills negotiate with the city of Buffalo to build a new stadium, rumours have surfaced that the team may threaten a relocation to Austin, Texas if the team is unable to come to an agreement with the city of Buffalo. Whether it’s negotiation tactics or a genuine possibility - it is an interesting scenario to consider.
There is no doubt that the “Bills Mafia'' is one of the most loyal and passionate fanbases in the entire NFL, selling out preseason games, showing up at 2:00am to greet the team after clinching the AFC East title, and even shoveling the stadium after a snowstorm before a Sunday game in December. There’s no question that the Bills embody the spirit of the city of Buffalo, so it begs the question - why would ownership consider relocating?
The answer - as it almost always is in pro sports - is money. Putting aside the complicated and controversial debate of using taxpayer money to build billion dollar facilities for professional sports teams, the city of Austin (where it is rumoured the franchise would consider moving to) may be a better bet to invest an NFL team in. Texas has no state income tax, an alluring prospect for players and ownership alike.
If we further break down the opportunities in Austin, the average household median income is almost double the number in Buffalo, and according to the latest census data, the number of businesses in Austin exceeds the count in Buffalo. The opportunities for sponsorships feel limitless in a state boasting two NFL teams and headquartering many of America’s largest corporations. At this time, there is no indication that the NFL would support a Bills relocation.
It’s no secret that a larger city like Austin would provide more potential opportunities for a franchise than the city of Buffalo, but what is the cost of the Bills Mafia brand, the fans, and the culture in comparison to the opportunity in Austin? With the Rams, Chargers, and Raiders moving from small markets to bigger markets over the last 6 years, what does the future hold for small markets sustaining a pro sports team?
Published: August 6th, 2021 - Issue 3 of The Sport Marketeer