The Western Regional Off-Track Betting (WROTB) board of directors voted unanimously on Thursday to offer Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown the position of president. Before officially taking office, Brown, Buffalo’s longest-serving mayor, will now begin contract negotiations with the WROTB. Additionally, the New York State Gaming Commission will require him to obtain a gaming license. The final month of Brown’s fifth term as mayor is December. 31, 2025. Although Niagara County board member Elliott Winter stated that they would like to hire him “as soon as possible,” his timeline for becoming WROTB president is still unknown. According to Winter, the board conducted in-person interviews with Brown and one other downstate candidate during an executive session for approximately one and a half hours. Over the course of about five and a half hours, the executive session was held. Contract negotiations would determine Brown’s salary. At the board’s announcement, the mayor did not appear. A request for clarification was not answered by a Brown spokesperson. When asked about Brown’s qualifications for the WROTB’s top position, Winter stated, “He oversees 3,000 employees with a budget of over $600 million.” He has worked in the same position for 20 years. We believe he could be a valuable asset to our organization given that the hotels, restaurants, entertainment, economic development, and resurgence of the City of Buffalo over the past two decades.” When asked about a reporter, Winter stated that he was “not really” concerned about the eight-figure budget deficit the City of Buffalo faces. When asked for more information, he declined.
If Brown accepted the position, it would throw off city politics. Chris Scanlon, a close ally of Brown who was elected Common Council president in January, would take over as mayor if Brown were to resign. Scanlon would also serve out the remainder of Brown’s term because the deadline set by the State Board of Elections on August 5 to place any newly vacant seats on the November ballot has passed. After 12 years on the council, was elected president of the Common Council in January.
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