The New Stadium

by Pat Freeman, The Mighty O’Ba

The problem with the new Highmark Stadium is not just obstructed seating, scoreboards, tailgate rules, or surcharges. The problem with this stadium is much more significant and there are plenty of people to accept blame for this difficult decision. The reason this is going to resonate so much over the next few years will be found in this analysis.

First let us look at this location in Orchard Park. The new Highmark stadium has doubled down on an unwise decision in 1973, which was based on corruption and pressure from the previous owner—he threatened that he would move the team. The current owner stated the same exact thing when demanding, build a new stadium in Orchard Park.

This stadium is located across the street from the old stadium site surrounded by much of nothing that will only benefit its residents made up of mostly Europeans. The other economic windfall goes to the owner; only meager amounts will benefit the masses.

Most fell for the hype surrounding NFL teams by your fan loyalty. The loyalty of some of the best fans in sports has now given you a stadium that is now the highest to attend in the fourth poorest area of the country. This is because it is a one-dimensional stadium built only to accommodate NFL regular season and playoff games.

This facility can only be used for part of the year because it is not a dome stadium. The problem is that local officials did not factor in what a multi-use facility would do to cut down on these surcharges and upkeep costs.