Bills defend Highmark Stadium design amid fan complaints about sightlines

The Buffalo Bills issued a statement on Monday defending the design of their new Highmark Stadium after fans posted photos and videos that they said showed obstructed sightlines and limited rain-cover during a recent practice. The team’s chief operating officer, Pete Guelli, and vice president of stadium development, John Polka, held a conference call with reporters to address the concerns.

"So far, we’ve heard from less than one percent of our PSL holders about anything sightline related," Guelli told Western New York reporters. "Relative to that specific issue, we feel very confident what was represented via the virtual venue is accurate to what people saw when they sat in their seats. If anybody feels otherwise, we’re taking this on a case-by-case basis, and we’ll address any concerns that they have."

Guelli added that some degree of partial-view seating is typical in large venues and that such seats were identified in the stadium’s virtual tour. He said the club can modify certain areas for non-football events, such as concerts, where obstructed views are less critical.

The team also responded to complaints that vendors and other fans blocked views during practice, noting that at games vendors will be instructed to remain stationary until play resumes. Polka said the organization is reviewing the use of the stadium’s video boards, which some fans described as undersized, and indicated that a nine-foot ribbon board beneath the main scoreboard may be repurposed.

The Bills emphasized that they are continuing to assess the building’s features, including game-presentation elements, to ensure they meet fan expectations.