Byron Brown Offered Nearly $300k To Leave Buffalo’s Top Job

What were once rumors on the internets are now cold, hard facts as the longest-standing Mayor in Buffalo's history is officially being offered a contract to start a new job.

According to reporting from WIVB-TV, the Board of Directors for Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation has drafted an official employment contract and has formally offered Byron Brown the position of President and CEO of the Batavia Down race track and various betting parlors scattered throughout Western New York. The WROTBC covers a 15-county area.

While Byron Brown has not yet announced his decision, one is expected within the next week. The contract has an annual salary of 295,000. This would be a substantial increase from what Mr. Brown makes as the Mayor of Buffalo. In fact, Brown would make much more than most public servants in America.

With a salary of nearly $300,000 per year to manage a New York State Agency, Brown would make more than the following government positions:

• Vice President of the United States - $284,600
• Mayor of New York City - $258,041
• Governor of New York State - $249,815
• Speaker of the US House of Representatives - $223,500
• Lt. Governor of New York State - $218,957
• President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate - $193,400
• Speaker of the New York State Assembly - $183,500
• Mayor of the City of Buffalo - $157,893

What Is Off-Track Betting?

In the 1970s, the New York State Legislature created a series of betting parlors across the state to combat the illegal betting and bookmaking trade. The state is divided into five regions, each with a public benefit corporation that subsequently owns and operates horse racing and other betting facilities.

The Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation is headquartered at Batavia Downs (the oldest lighted harness racetrack in America) in Batavia, New York. It controls operations across 19 different offices in Buffalo, Rochester, and the westernmost counties in New York State.

What Happens Next?

If Brown accepts this new position and subsequently steps down from his role as Mayor, Christopher Scanlon, the president of the Common Council, would become interim mayor per the City of Buffalo Charter.

It looks like a lot of change is on the horizon for Buffalo.