The fear: A new Bills stadium would cost taxpayers $1 billion.

The reality: It’s going to cost even more.

The deal announced Monday commits the state to spending $600 million upfront to help cover construction costs. Erie County would put up an additional $250 million.

But the subsidies don’t stop there.

The state is also on the hook for $100 million over 15 years to cover stadium maintenance and repairs. The county and the state authority created to oversee the stadium would be obligated to kick in $180 million over the 30-year lease for capital improvements. Most, if not all of that money would be raised through a surcharge on tickets, parking and concessions.

Add it all up and county and state taxpayers would spend at least $1.13 billion over the 30-year term of the lease. That’s the largest subsidy ever for an NFL stadium, surpassing the $750 million Las Vegas committed to lure the Raiders from Oakland.

“It’s a whole lot of money. It would be the largest stadium subsidy in American history,” said Pat Garofalo, director of state and local policy for the American Economic Liberties Project, a non-profit that advocates for corporate accountability.

…

Garofalo, the stadium subsidy expert, said a CBA could soften the blow of a costly subsidy.

“I don’t want to do stadium subsidies, but at least if you are going to do stadium subsidies, at least ensure that the community is getting something in these agreements,” he said.