Under the terms of the Buffalo Bills new lease, improvements to Ralph Wilson Stadium are set to begin in 2013, but the agreement also includes the possibility of replacing the stadium in Orchard Park.
The deal signed Friday by Governor Andrew Cuomo includes the creation of what's called a New Stadium Working Group and Fund.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said the group will analyze if a new stadium should be built and where it would be located.
"In years eight, nine and 10, the county, and the state have the opportunity to start taking money that would be designated for Ralph Wilson (stadium) upgrades. Half of the money can be put in to a segregated account to be used for design and construction of a brand new stadium."
Afterwards, Poloncarz admitted to reporters his "personal first preference" for a new stadium would be "in downtown Buffalo."
As Mayor Byron Brown points out, while the lease leaves the window open for a new stadium the potential project is years away.
"Certainly, I think, one of the places that would be very much in contention for a new stadium, if a new stadium is necessary down the road, would certainly be in the City of Buffalo."
While the Bills, the state, and the county have signed off on it, the stadium lease and other documents still have to be finalized and submitted to the NFL for approval.