Wilson Family Gets 3 Bids Under $900M

((HT: WGRZ-TV))

It looks like the Buffalo Bills might be Terry Pegula's to lose...

After the review of a few of the opposing bids for the franchise, all three of them were under a billion dollars- and the Bon Jovi bid is on, according to the Toronto Sun, "life support..."

Pegula's bid is listed, by Forbes Magazine, at $890-million. The Bon Jovi/Toronto bid is $820-million, and Donald Trump's is listed only at $809-million. Tom Golisano is thinking about submitting a bid, but it will be up to the Ralph Wilson Trust as to whether or not they will accept any bids.

Here's the latest on the sale

The final bids are set for the next two weeks...

Until the deadline is shifted again...

Donald Trump First Up For Bills Bid Discussions

((HT: WGRZ-TV))

The bidding process is now moving to the meet-and-greet phase for the groups that want to have the Buffalo Bills as a part of the corporate portfolio.

There are concerns that both the Trump and Bon Jovi groups may have violated the rules in negotiations by going public in disclosing the bid numbers publicly.

Trump's first bid was in the neighborhood of a billion dollars- and, according to Al Michaels, is all cash
The Bon Jovi/Toronto bid was a little north of that and they may not be able to go any higher
Terry Pegula is rumored to be in the neighborhood of $1.3-billion and he could go higher if he thinks he needs to

And, now, it appears Tom Golisano may add his name to the pile after all

Here's the latest out of Buffalo

We're just getting started and don't be surprised if another name is added to the mix for the purchase before we're done.

Bon Jovi Tries To Clear The Air About The Bills, Goodell Almost Comments

((HT: WGRZ-TV))

The three groups that are chasing the Buffalo Bills ownership are getting to the next stage.

The Terry Pegula and Donald Trump groups are ready for Round 2 vetting and the group that is causing the most concern is the group that includes Jon Bon Jovi and the two Toronto backers- Rogers Communications and Larry Tanenbaum of MLSE.

Bon Jovi took to the Buffalo News to try and dispel the notion that, if his group gets the winning bid, they will exercise the lone option year buyout in 2020 to move the franchise to the T-Dot. Part of the deal to buy includes not moving the team during the tenure of its lease agreement and the Trust not being able to negotiate with a group whose intent is to move the franchise.

The open letter to the paper included:

“My family and I are prepared to make this life-changing commitment to be part of the Bills. This is not a hobby or an acquisition. Building a winner on and off the field will be job one and I intend to spend as much time on the ground in Buffalo as needed to accomplish that goal.”

Naturally, a lot of fans are skeptical as are some of the Bills ex-players.

Here's a long live shot from Adam Benigni where the Commissioner addressed the issue, but didn't...

The local Bills fans making a push to exclude the Bob Jovi group are quick to point out that nowhere in the letter did the rocker mention his two very rich partners in his "plan" for the future.

Three Bidders Meet First Bills Deadline

((HT: WGRZ-TV))

However, former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano didn't meet the first deadline. He still could throw his name into the hat if the trust overseeing the estate of Ralph Wilson extends the deadline.

The three are:

Donald Trump

Jon Bon Jovi in concert (pun unintentional) with Ed Rogers of Rogers Communications and Larry Tanenbaum of MLSE- they would keep the team in western New York, but obviously, would want games at SkyDome

Terry Pegula- current owner of the Sabres

Here's a look at the Pegula bid
John Kryk of the Toronto Sun has a look at those who came close, but didn't do anything by yesterday's deadline: "...bond investor Jeffrey Gundlach explored placing a bid, as had C. Dean Metropoulos, owner of the Pabst brewing company. And Western New York developer Scott Congel had mulled bidding either alone or with someone else, merely to aid his objective to build a new Bills stadium as part of an immense, multi-pronged redevelopment of a large property his family controls in West Seneca, just south of Buffalo."
Look for the trust overseers to start vetting the ownership groups over the next week or so.

Bills Looking At Niagara Falls, Bon Jovi Group May Bid

((HT: WIVB-TV))

There seem to be, now, two sites that may be trying to attract the Buffalo Bills outside of Orchard Park...

The idea of a waterfront stadium is out there gaining steam and, now, we can add Niagara Falls to the mix. Niagara Falls mayor Paul Dyster admitted that his town is in the mix as the task force that gets to think about a new home for the NFL Franchise that might be nearer the fans on Ontario province.

You can also add the notion of going to the University of Buffalo campus for a new practice facility to help the MAC-based football program as well.

Here's the look on the Falls


Now, the Wilson family is trying to figure out what to do as owners of the franchise. The team can't leave western New York until after the 2019 season without a huge penalty. Toronto, Los Angeles, and everyone else who wants a franchise are looking at this situation. And the group tied to Jon Bon Jovi may be putting in their bid soon. There is talk that any deal could be locked in by October of this year.

John Kryk, over at The Toronto Sun newspaper, is trying to connect dots between Bon Jovi and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment:

Tim Leiweke, CEO of MLSE, told the Toronto Star last November — after an initial report from CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora — that Bon Jovi was part of a Toronto bid group seeking an NFL team, with MLSE’s backing.

“Jon and I are very good friends,” Leiweke told the Star. “We talk weekly about his NFL ambitions. And so we’re actively engaged, but I think it’s still a work in progress.”

And the race is on...

Bon Jovi To Bills: I'll Be There For You (?)

((HT: CBS Sports/LaCanfora))

So, Jon Bon Jovi, eh...???

Well, the HQ knows his relationship with owning football things- it goes back to the Philadelphia Soul arena franchise... Here's the Soul catching their 2008 indoor title...
((HT: ESPN on ABC))


No secret that Bon Jovi would be going head-to-head with Rogers Communications for the Bills (since the team already plays in SkyDome), but LaCanfora asserts that Tim Leiweke and AEG could be working with the rocker for the chase...

Here was Jason LaCanfora's appearance on "The Other Pregame Show" and talked about the idea of Toronto and the city continuing its relationship with the Buffalo Bills...
I guess there's only one more thing to say...