Bills' spending spree paying off in ticket sales

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills' offseason spending spree — highlighted by defensive end Mario Williams $100 million contract — is paying off at the ticket office.

CEO Russ Brandon says the team has already sold 4,320 new season-ticket packages, and adds renewal orders are coming in at the fastest pace in 15 years.

Brandon credits the spike to the splashes the Bills made last month in signing Williams and defensive end Mark Anderson in free agency, and re-signing receiver Stevie Johnson. And, he says, it's a sign of the fan base's growing optimism that the team might finally be turning the corner after missing the playoffs for 13 consecutive seasons.

The surge in sales comes a year after the Bills sold 37,355 season tickets, the team's lowest total since 2001.