With the beginning of the NFL season comes a slew of new partnerships for the Buffalo Bills.
The latest include partnerships with Kwik Fill/Red Apple Food Marts, Raymour & Flanigan and Cisco as deep-pocketed brands continue to pursue the opportunity to connect with the increasingly popular team.
They join a long roster of corporate partners that have signed on with the Bills. The partnerships are an important − and growing − source of revenue for the team as companies try to use the Bills’ popularity as a way to boost their own marketing campaigns.
United Refining Co. of Pennsylvania, doing business as Kwik Fill/Red Apple Food Marts, has teamed with the Bills with a focus on contributing to the game day energy for tailgates and road trips, as well as focusing on year-round community impact.
Kwik Fill’s annual Operation Give Thanks campaign, held each November, raises funds to support local veterans and military families. With the partnership, the campaign will feature special events and fan-driven opportunities both in-store and online.
“We’re more than just a gas station, we are part of the daily routine for thousands of fans,” Beth Caldwell, assistant vice president of retail administration for United Refining Co., said in a news release. “Whether it’s grabbing a snack on the way to work or filling up before heading to Highmark Stadium, we are proud to be part of what fuels Bills Country.”
Syracuse-based furniture retailer Raymour & Flanigan has become the official furniture and mattress partner of the Bills and debuted team-branded furniture and products at training camp in Rochester before the start of the regular season this month.
As part of the partnership, the team will launch Bills Homefield Advantage, a sweepstakes that includes three autographed team collectibles and a $4,000 Raymour & Flanigan gift card. The sweepstakes will be open for entry on the Bills website through Nov. 15.
“Supporting our local communities has been at the heart of our company since our founding in Syracuse in 1947. Partnering with the Buffalo Bills is a natural extension of that commitment and an exciting opportunity to connect with fans across the region,” Seth Goldberg, president at Raymour & Flanigan, said in a statement.
Cisco will provide a suite of technology solutions to the Bills to power scalable, future-ready fan experiences and protect team and stadium operations through cybersecurity solutions with its AI-ready infrastructure and high-density Wi-Fi access.
It has added six new NFL franchises or venue property partnerships this season, including the Bills. Through the partnership with the Bills, Cisco will now connect and protect multiple facets of the organization from team facilities to Highmark Stadium operations.
Bills fifth most expensive NFL outing to attend
Going to a Buffalo Bills home game is one of the NFL’s priciest outings for families this season, according to an analysis from the Action Network.
A family of four attending a Bills game at Highmark Stadium spends an average of over $1,720, which is around $380 more than the NFL average and the fifth most expensive to attend of the league’s 32 teams.
Tickets alone account for approximately $1,635 for four seats – the fifth most expensive of any team, accounting for both the secondary market as well as standard box office tickets. On top of that, families spend about $57 on food and drinks (two beers, two soft drinks and four hot dogs) and around $31 on parking.
The most expensive NFL game to attend is for the Philadelphia Eagles, which costs approximately $2,130.
The study analyzed nearly 400,000 ticket listings, along with average concession prices and official parking rates across all 30 NFL stadiums.
A behind-the-scenes look at the Bills
A live-to-tape content series that will give Buffalo Bills fans a behind-the-scenes look at the team kicked off Sept. 22 at Wingnutz Bar and Grill, 1420 Millersport Highway, Amherst. The first show was co-hosted by Bills All-Pro center Connor McGovern.
Buffalo Under the Helmet will be presented by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and each episode will be hosted by announcer and DJ Rich Gaenzler, with a rotating lineup of current players and legends.
It is being produced by sports marketing experience provider TEAM LAMMI and filmed at two Wingnutz locations, the other at 4600 Genesee St.
Full episodes will be available on YouTube and the show’s website at buffalouth.com, Apple podcast and Spotify podcast.
Bills, Wegmans to host event to aid local hunger-fighting charities
The Buffalo Bills Foundation and Wegmans will collect non-perishable food donations benefiting FeedMore WNY and nearly 400 partner hunger-relief agencies from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Highmark Stadium.
Fans who donate to the Huddle for Hunger initiative will receive a Bills Rivalry tote bag and gain entry into the interactive festival set up in Lot 2 ADA featuring appearances from Bills players and alumni, Billy Buffalo, local farmers markets, garden demonstrations, fresh produce tasting, music, games, giveaways and photo opportunities.
Dawkins to provide field trips to local students
Buffalo Bills star left tackle Dion Dawkins will provide four Western New York area classrooms with an exclusive field trip experience alongside Dawkins.
Through his foundation, Dion’s Dreamers, these classrooms will win a field trip with Dawkins sometime between this month and December. Each Shnow Day will provide students with a T-shirt, lunch, admission to the Shnow Day activity and transportation, as needed.
Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy – from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com.
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The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.
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