Gives County Executive’s office sole discretion over “lottery” system to be used for access to suite
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is asking county legislators to approve rules governing access to the county’s suite at future Buffalo Bills games at the new Highmark Stadium, which is scheduled to open in time for the 2026 NFL season
New York State had maintained a suite at the current stadium to wine and dine individuals purportedly for economic development purposes.
A message to legislators seeking their approval for the “Erie County Hospitality Access Policy” notes the county has been granted exclusive use of the a so called Hospitality Center which includes 16 tickets and four parking passes.
The policy, Poloncarz writes, “is intended primarily, though not exclusively, to promote charitable organizations serving the county, along with certain economic development activities” and establishes a “lottery” process for charitable organizations who would like to seek the opportunity to use the suite.
It also would give the County Executive’s Office sole discretion to operate the lottery system.
Not for profit organizations in good standing for at least five years would be eligible to enter the lottery and, if selected through a random computer process, would receive suite tickets and parking passes but would have to pay for their own food and beverages.
They could be pre-season, regular season- or post-season contests as determined by the random computer process.
The policy would also allow for a county official to attend as a “formal guest” who would then owe the face value of their ticket to the charitable organization selected.
While charitable organizations would not be allowed to re-sell any tickets received, they would be allowed to raffle them off in furtherance of their charity.
If selected, a charitable group is ineligible to re-enter the lottery for three years.
Three games per season would reserve the county’s hospitality center for the use of economic development and tourism officials.