Former Bills broadcaster John Murphy says critical column cost him stadium access

The longtime Buffalo Bills radio voice believes the team pulled his press credential over an article questioning head coach Joe Brady.

John Murphy, who spent 34 years as a radio voice and analyst for the Buffalo Bills, says the team denied him a press-box credential at the new Highmark Stadium for this NFL season, and he suspects a critical article he wrote about head coach Joe Brady was the reason.

According to Alan Pergament of the Buffalo News, Murphy learned of the decision two days after the piece ran. The team reportedly cited a policy of not credentialing part-time workers, with a smaller press box at the new stadium given as the reason for cutting those passes. Murphy, however, still questions whether his Brady criticism played a part. "I think so, but I don't know," he said.

Murphy, who retired in 2023 after suffering a stroke, also said a separate article predicting 10 wins for Buffalo went unpublished because of what he described as pressure from the Bills. He added that he felt WIVB-TV, the team's official television station, did not stand up for him over the lost access.

"They didn't fight for me," Murphy said. "I am insulted. But I don't care anymore. I'll watch on TV." He also noted that Bills vice president of marketing Chris Jenkins had previously shown him a seat reserved for him in the press box. The team has not publicly addressed the matter.