New Era Cap Company is asking the Buffalo Bills to end the Orchard Park stadium naming rights contract.
“The Buffalo Bills and New Era Cap Company jointly announce that New Era has asked to be released from their naming rights and sponsorship deals with the Bills,” the statement from the Bills and New Era said. “The Bills and New Era are currently negotiating the details of this separation and the Bills are beginning the process of pursuing a new naming rights partner for the stadium.”
No reason was provided for the move.
The change comes after New Era last week announced it was laying off 187 workers, including 117 at its headquarters in Buffalo, NY, as it realigns operations given COVID-19-related challenges. The Buffalo News reported the layoffs amounted to about one-third of its Buffalo workforce.
The layoffs drew criticism from Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz since New Era accepted between $5 million and $10 million in a Paycheck Protection Program loan to retain nearly 500 jobs.
The stadium was renamed New Era Field in August 2016 in an agreement worth more than $35 million over seven years. The stadium was previously named Ralph Wilson Stadium after the team’s late owner.
Photo courtesy WBFO News
