Harvesting collectibles from Bills stadium marks start to demo phase
“This surpasses anything I’ve ever done,” said Brandon Steiner of CollectibleXchange. “I consider this fan base the No. 1 fan base I have ever dealt with, and I’ve been around doing this for 40 years. There’s a high level of commitment and passion.”
The harvesting of the old Highmark Stadium is underway.
That essentially started in February, when Brandon Steiner’s CollectibleXchange began taking down signs and goal posts from Highmark Stadium, then ripping up seats and benches from the concrete.
The turf and other items around the stadium will soon follow, with the items put up for sale to fans wanting a piece of the old stadium where the Buffalo Bills played for 53 years.
The new Highmark Stadium rises behind crews removing benches at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Joed Viera/Buffalo News
Combined with some of the prep work the Bills started last month to take apart suites and club areas, concessions, and some furniture and appliances, it all represents the first steps toward getting the current stadium demolition-ready.
Steiner's company was retained by the Bills and Erie County to salvage any stadium elements with resale value. They will split the proceeds, with more than $1 million expected to be made for the county.
Buffalo’s $2.2 billion stadium is slated to be substantially completed by July, while the old stadium will be demolished early next year. The Bills played their final game at the current stadium on Jan. 4.
“This is the first stage, and there’s been some other work behind the scenes that’s been done that the Bills are doing and has nothing to do with the products and stuff we’re trying to get,” Steiner said on Tuesday at Highmark Stadium. “When you take a stadium like this down, there’s a lot of preparation work.”
Steiner has about another month to pull out items to be sold from the current stadium. He plans to be done by the end of April, and then he’ll start pickups and shipping for fans who have ordered items.
He said he almost feels guilty sometimes for breaking down the stadium. He knows that while fans are excited to get their memorabilia and get to see the new stadium, there are irreplaceable memories at the old one.
“Make no mistake, as exciting as it is to get everything out and into everyone’s homes as fast as we can, it’s sad and emotional,” Steiner said. “We know what’s transpired in this stadium. The love, the connection, the family. It’s almost a religious experience.”
Crews removed seats to be sold to fans at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Tuesday.
Joed Viera, Buffalo News
The first priority for Steiner has been taking out seats and benches for season ticket holders who have purchased them. The seats began being pulled out in mid-March, while the bleachers were started only a few days ago.
He said the company expects to sell between 6,000 and 9,000 standard seats. With upper-level seating at the stadium all bleacher benches, there are only so many of the seats, so the stock is limited. Season ticket holders got first dibs at buying their seats and received a small discount, but anyone from the general public can still buy a pair of seats.
Most of the turf and turf products are now sold out. The turf will begin coming out in a week or two, Steiner said. Goal posts have been removed and are being cut and manufactured for sale. Products with pieces of turf and goal posts range from coasters and plaques to utensil and pencil holders.
Signs around the stadium began coming down in February, but some have been difficult to get to. Also, lights may be too tough to bring down and sell, as well, Steiner said. Most section signs have been removed and will be on sale soon. There are several thousand signs that will be taken down from around the stadium.
More than 35 trough urinals will be taken out from around the stadium and stored to be ready for sales. Some have already begun being removed. They are of high interest, and Steiner is still unsure how he will sell them. At least one will be auctioned off to raise money for charity, he said.
A bathroom trough purchased by a fan is placed outside Highmark Stadium near stadium seats removed for sale in Orchard Park on Tuesday.
Joed Viera, Buffalo News
Steiner is also launching new ideas as products continue to sell out and sales continue to surpass expectations. They’ll include Bills Legends’ Jim Kelly and Thurman Thomas signed seat backs and a licensing deal with former head coach Marv Levy to offer some products with the theme of “where else would you rather be than right here, right now.”
He’s also planning some giveaway contests for some of the biggest Bills fans to help them win items and add to their fan caves. Additionally, Steiner is working on cutting wholesale deals with retailers to sell some of the stadium products. He's been in talks with Wegmans, Dave & Adams, TSE Sports, and the BFLO Store.
“Bills fans have surprised me in a good way but also a nervous way, because people who were thinking about waiting to buy may be realizing that they can’t get certain things as they sell out,” Steiner said.
An excavator is parked outside Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. With the old stadium set to be demolished next year, work is underway on removing items to be sold.
Joed Viera, Buffalo News
Steiner has led the effort to sell items from around 10 professional sports stadiums and arenas that have closed or have been refurbished, such as Yankee Stadium, Texas Stadium, and Madison Square Garden.
But his latest effort in Buffalo has him questioning everything he thought he knew from all his years in the industry. He has not seen anything like this demand and passion for the items that he has at Highmark Stadium.
“This surpasses anything I’ve ever done,” he said. “I consider this fan base the No. 1 fan base I have ever dealt with, and I’ve been around doing this for 40 years. There’s a high level of commitment and passion.”