Bills Central

Bills' Stadium Graffiti Scandal Solved as Construction Workers Confess

The investigation into the vandalism caused a week-long delay in construction.
Fans enter Highmark Stadium to see the Bills take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov 16, 2025 in Orchard Park.
Fans enter Highmark Stadium to see the Bills take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov 16, 2025 in Orchard Park. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Case closed.

The Buffalo Bills’ stadium graffiti scandal has reached its conclusion, as seven construction workers have been identified as culprits behind the vandalism that occurred at the new Highmark Stadium last weekend.

According to WBEN, three of the workers have confessed to the crimes, none of whom has officially been charged. A spokesperson for the Erie County Sheriff’s Office told the local news outlet that the investigation remains ongoing.

RELATED: Buffalo Politician Claims Graffiti at Bills' New Stadium Was Inside Job

Bills stadium
The new Buffalo Bill’s stadium on May 27, 2025 from the west side of the stadium. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

What happened?

Construction of the Abbot Road structure was halted on Monday due to the latest display of graffiti throughout the stadium grounds, which occurred within the building’s interior, including in locker room and suite areas. The images were described as “pornographic” in nature, while Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz believed all along that the vandalism was an inside job.

“We believe it actually is someone who has been working on the site because to get into the locations where the graffiti was at, you have to have a pass and you have to be able to enter,” he told WGRZ earlier this week.

“There’s suspicion that other people know who did this. And if they believe they will get a reward, they will turn in that individual,” said the County Executive. “Someone did something that maybe they thought was funny, but it wasn’t. And they’re gonna be held responsible for their actions.”

MORE: Six-Figure Reward Offered for Buffalo Bills' Stadium Graffiti Information

Bills stadium construction
Work continues near the top at the new Buffalo Bill’s stadium on May 27, 2025. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

We will see how things unfold moving forward and whether those accused or who have confessed to the crimes are brought to justice.

Potential reward

Before the culprits were reportedly identified, a $100,000 reward was offered by the company in charge of the stadium’s construction, Gilbane-Turner. It is unclear whether that reward helped generate information leading to the identification of those involved.

RELATED: Construction of Bills' New Stadium Stopped After Secure Locations Compromised

Bills stadium construction
The new Buffalo Bill’s stadium construction continues on May 27, 2025 with work being done on all sides of the stadium at once. | Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Despite a week-long delay, the new stadium is expected to open on time in July and host the Bills’ season opener in September. According to a report from WBEN earlier this week, the structure is about 87% complete.

Per a previous report from the Bills, Private Seat Licenses have sold out, with a count of 54,000 purchased by December of this past year. The new stadium’s capacity has been set at about 62,000 seats.

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Alex Brasky
ALEX BRASKY

Alex Brasky is editor of Bills Digest and host of the Buffalo Pregame podcast. He has been on the Bills beat the past six seasons and now joins ON SI to expand his coverage of Buffalo’s favorite football team.

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