Talk » in mind for First Amendment in early February

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Following years of discussions, Chris Koch will never forget the moment the Buffalo Bills sold him on the idea of transforming Ralph Wilson Stadium into what became New Era Field on Thursday.It happened near dusk on June 15, when the New Era Cap Co. president and CEO was whisked by police escort to the Bills headquarters and ushered to midfield where he was greeted by team owners Terry and Kim Pegula. Thats when the west-end scoreboard began displaying a three-minute video highlighting the legacies of Kochs late father, David, and Bills late Hall-of-Fame owner Ralph Wilson, and emphasizing what both meant to Buffalo.Ive got to tell you, I had tears rolling down my face, Koch said during an interview with The Associated Press. And Terry came up to me and said, `Look, we wont do this with anyone else. We want you.Walking off the field, Koch recalled how New Era executive Paul McAdam leaned over and, in his thick Scottish accent, said: You must do this deal.Seven weeks later, a naming rights agreement with the Buffalo-based sports headwear and apparel company was reached in a deal worth more than $35 million and spanning the remaining seven years of the stadiums lease. New Era also has the rights of first refusal to extend the deal under a new lease or if the Bills build a new stadium.For me, this partnership is personal on so many levels, said Koch during a news conference to unveil the new name. To have New Era associated with the Buffalo Bills, who are incredibly well-respected brand, with a rich history with the NFL and our community, is a significant honor and a privilege that I dont take lightly.For the Bills, the deal generates revenue to a small-market franchise that has at times struggled to remain competitive, and forced to regionalize east into Rochester and north into Toronto to broaden its base.For New Era, the agreement marks a coming-out party for a company established in 1920 by Kochs great grandfather, Ehrhardt, and has become a world leader in sports-related headwear in large part because of the inroads David Koch made during his 30-year tenure as president.The company has gone from producing 50,000 caps in 1920 to 50 million last year, which were sold in more than 80 countries. New Era also has more than 500 licensing deals, including Major League Baseball, the NFL, NBA, NHL, Manchester United and the Australian Football League.Ralph Wilsons name went up on the stadium during the 1998 season, after a 25-year agreement expired with Buffalo-based Rich Products.In 2012, Wilson gave approval for the team to pursue a naming rights agreement. That plan was put on hold when he died in March 2014. The Pegulas, who bought the Bills seven months later, elected to wait at least a year to secure a deal out of respect to the former owner.Today we look to the future, and today we turn a page in Bills history, Terry Pegula said. Ive been told by people who knew Ralph -- I never met Ralph -- that Ralph would be proud to turn this page with us.Wilsons widow, Mary Wilson, supports the name change.I love Buffalo, and with all of the resurgence that its enjoying right now, its fitting that the new naming rights agreement is with New Era, Wilson said in a statement released by the Bills. Naturally, theres an element of sadness for me personally, that I hope fans would understand. But Im excited for the Bills organization and for New Era with their successes. Its so great that a local company of this magnitude will be on this stadium.Jim Grinstead, publisher of the industry newsletter Revenues from Sports Venues, considers the naming rights agreement an ideal fit for Buffalo and for the NFL, because of New Eras ties to the league.Buffalo is probably not going to attract a Pepsi or Coke or Nike or anyone like that, Grinstead said. But a local one is going to feel good because the local folks in Buffalo do care about the local community and the ties with that.The company will get an immediate boost in prime-time exposure during the Bills home opener, a Thursday night game against the New York Jets on Sept. 15.The New Era logo will be featured on the back of the scoreboard facing the main parking lots and throughout the stadium. Because the agreement was reached so late in the summer, some of the signage wont be ready until next season.The agreement is exciting to Koch because he grew up a Bills fan and attended each of the teams four Super Bowl losses in the 1990s.I have goosebumps talking about it, Koch said. Its my hope that New Era, quite frankly, can match up to the legacy and the standards that Ralph had.And hes pleased to build Wilsons legacy by partnering with the Pegulas, who also own the NHL Buffalo Sabres.I admire the Pegulas for not going out and finding a big bank to give them a lot of money to slap a name on the stadium, Koch said.He cant help but wonder what his father might think of how far New Era has come since he died in 2002.When he died, we were a very small, U.S.-based baseball company, Koch said. So to be able to have the success weve had and grow the way weve grown, it kind of hits me right in the heart.---This story has been corrected to reflect Ralph Wilsons name went up on stadium during 1998 season.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Slick Watts Jersey . Once again Jordan Cieciwa (@FitCityJordan) and I (@LynchOnSports) go head to head in our picks. 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"I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. David Hayes has a couple of Derbys in mind for First Amendment who will face his biggest test when he makes his city debut at Flemington.First Amendment broke his maiden over 1600m at Ballarat on November 21 at his fourth start and while Hayes admits the gelding faces a big step up in Saturdays Cafe Adamo Handicap over the same distance, he is keen to see how he measures up.Hes a nice moving horse and he couldnt have won his maiden more impressively, Hayes said.He was unlucky the start before.Its a big step up in class here on the weekend but I think hell be pretty competitive from a good gate (in barrier three).Hayes has the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) in Hobart in mind for First Amendment in early February while another Derby could be on the radar later in the season.Im hoping hes an SA Derby style of horse, Hayes said.The Group One South Australian Derby is over 2500m in May.First Amendment is at $26 with the talented Galaxy Raider the even-money favourite in the field of eight ahead of Dollar For Dollar at $3.70.Hayes believes Hell Or Highwater can continue her winning form in Saturdays Hollywood Nails Handicap (1700m) where she will be chasing her fourth win from her past fivve starts.ddddddddddddHell Or Highwater worked across to lead at her most recent start at Moonee Valley over 1600m in a mares benchmark-84 and held her rivals at bay to win by a length.Shes just racing really well, Hayes said.I can see her sitting up on the pace and grabbing the race by the scruff of the neck. The 1700 metres is a slight query but shes fit.If she won well we would probably look for one more similar mares race before backing off her.I think she might be a nice mare to train for black type races in Adelaide next preparation.Hayes, who trains in partnership with his son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig, has fillies Cardenas and Bella Ava as chances in the Dorevitch Pathology Charity Plate (1200m).Hayes said Cardenas was on trial for the $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January.The stable also has two chances in the Western Health First Response Pharmacy Cup (1400m) with Tashbeeh at $5.50 while multiple stakes-placed stablemate Metaphorical is at $11.Both could go on to the Lord Stakes on Boxing Day after Saturday. ' ' '