A new era for the Buffalo Bills is underway.
The Bills on Friday officially introduced Terry and Kim Pegula as the team's new owners. Terry Pegula became emotional during his opening remarks, wiping away tears while expressing his respect for Ralph Wilson, the team's founding owner who passed away earlier this year.
"We all just bought a team, Pegula said. "It will stay the Buffalo Bills."
Pegula -- who also owns the NHL's Buffalo Sabres -- expressed his passion for the Bills and their importance to the region.
"I know there's been comments about how much I paid," said Pegula, who bought the Bills from the Wilson estate for $1.4 billion. "I want to ask our fans if I overpaid. I know they'll tell you."
Pegula was joined on stage by team president Russ Brandon. Pegula praised the job Brandon has done and said he "wouldn't automatically assume" there will be sweeping changes within the organization under new ownership.
Pegula added that the team has the luxury of time in regard to a new stadium. Brandon echoed the sentiment that the issue isn't on the front burner with the Bills just one year into a 10-year, $271 million lease agreement.
"There's a ton of talk and noise on the stadium issue," Brandon said. "We're not going to discuss it every time we get together."
Near the end of the news conference, Pegula shared a story of listening to talk radio in his car before he bought the team. He heard callers express how afraid they were that the Bills could leave town. Pegula hadn't realized quite how widespread the concern was.
"The fear fans had in their hearts that they were going to lose their Bills," he said. "... We don't have to worry about that anymore."
Pegula said he will be on the field before Sunday's home game against the New England Patriots. You can safely assume he'll be greeted warmly in Orchard Park.
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