A downstate U.S. congressman is leading the charge to get the prices of stadium concessions lowered in New York, including at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Rep. Dan Goldman, who represents portions of Brooklyn and Manhattan, would like to see the Federal Trade Commission investigate stadium concessions pricing.
He and eight other House Democrats from as far as Washington and Louisiana recently sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee requesting it mandate the Federal Trade Commission to complete a report on the concessions pricing at taxpayer-subsidized stadiums as part of this year鈥檚 federal budget.
They say the cost of food and beverages at these publicly subsidized venues are some of the highest prices in the country.
Chef Steve Forman, the regional executive chef at Delaware North, sets up the buffet in the M&T Club before the game against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Nov. 13, 2023.
In the letter, Goldman took exception with the $10 average beer cost at the home of the Buffalo Bills, and said it is double the price fans would pay almost anywhere outside a sports venue.
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He鈥檇 like to see these venues implement street pricing, as some other stadiums have done in professional sports.
The Bills are getting $600 million in state funds to build an over $2 billion new stadium, and the state will also pay millions of additional dollars toward annual maintenance and repair costs. The state currently pays into a capital fund and for operating expenses under the 2013 Bills stadium renovation deal.
鈥淒espite the significant public investment into sports venues, through direct grants, state and local tax credits, economic development incentives, and tax-exempt bonds, the cost of concessions at a ballgame remains unaffordable for the average American family,鈥 Goldman wrote.
Goldman and his colleagues, which also includes U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., would like to see an investigation of concessions prices at stadiums and airports to 鈥減revent potential price gouging practices.鈥
The Bills, like most professional teams and stadium operators, use a concessionaire to provide food and beverage services at Highmark Stadium. Those contracts are an important source of revenue for the teams.
Buffalo-based Delaware North Cos. has for years run the program at the Bills stadium, but Legends Concessions will take over once the team moves into their new stadium in 2026.
The Bills are not alone in the elevated concessions pricing.
A 2023 study by sports business research provider Team Marketing Report found that beer prices, on average, have increased by 25% over a 10-year period, with some teams experiencing much higher increases. Consumer prices rose 31% from 2013-2023.
Representatives from the Bills and Delaware North declined to comment.
Congressman Tim Kennedy, who represents Buffalo and was a state senator when the Bills agreed to the stadium deal, said the investment into the stadium is not just about keeping the Bills in Western New York but also creating access for the community.
鈥淧rofessional sports leagues must build game day around the fans who fill the seats. Regardless of income, everyone should be able to be part of the experience,鈥 he said in a statement. 鈥淗ardworking families in Western New York and across the country are feeling the pinch of rising prices everywhere. We need to make life more affordable.鈥
Goldman also called out Madison Square Garden for its high prices for concessions, saying it receives an estimated $42 million annually from New York City through a property tax exemption. Aramark runs food and beverage services at the home of the New York Knicks and Rangers.
He said some stadiums have implemented concessions prices pegged to the average cost of food and drink in the surrounding area. For example, the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium lowered concessions costs by about 50% and they saw a 30% increase in sales after implementing street pricing.
Similarly, several other sports teams have begun introducing 鈥渧alue deals,鈥 offering a handful of basic items, such as bottled water, pretzels and hot dogs, at lower prices, Goldman said. Teams often charge higher prices for beer as a way to reduce incidents involving intoxicated fans.
The Buffalo Sabres and Delaware North began offering value meals and reduced concessions pricing for season ticket holders at KeyBank Center this past season.
Concessions pricing has been one of the biggest gripes of fans surveyed and speaking out over the years.
鈥淲ith housing, food, and other everyday costs already so high, families visiting airports or sports stadiums 鈥 venues supported by their tax dollars 鈥 should not have to worry about drastic price markups,鈥 Goldman wrote. 鈥淚t鈥檚 clear that some form of street pricing is effective to make concessions more affordable while remaining sensible for businesses at these venues.鈥
