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...

Defoe, Bradley Introduced In Toronto

((HT: Sportsnet))

With Tim Leiweke taking over at MLSE for everything MLSE- including Toronto FC's woeful on-field status- they needed to make some kind of a splash in the MLS marketplace...

And the HQ thinks that the league getting Michael Bradley for US$10-million and bringing in Tottenham's Jermain Defoe certainly qualifies...

But, for those of you who understand this kind of thing, just because you sign stars doesn't mean instant success...

The LA Galaxy brought in Donovan and Beckham, but they needed a Juninho, a Keane, and a Ricketts to fill in the holes around them. That's the task ahead for TFC...

Here's Defoe's introduction...
"I have never been more excited, and more motivated, for any challenge in my career,” Bradley said at the press conference. “What they’re trying to build here is really special, something really unique and different from anywhere else in MLS and North American soccer.”
After seven straight losing seasons, it better be special...

Defoe will remain with Spurs until March 1 before joining the club. Bradley is expected to part in the club’s pre-season preparations, and TFC opens the 2014 MLS regular season March 15 at Seattle.