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.

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...

LA Approves New Stadium Deal

((HT: KABC-TV))

Surprising no one, really, the Los Angeles City Council approved the US$1.2-billion deal to build the downtown football stadium as part of the LA Live Project.

It came a little less than a week after AEG decided that they were up for sale- which caused the normal amount of concern around the planet about all the arenas and stadia that they run at present.

But AEG maintains that nothing will change. And in LA, specifically, they say that since they have already invested $50-million there is no turning back.

Here's Carlos Granda et al.


There has been no pro football in Los Angeles since 1994, but the real ideas are:

1) Who would end up moving from "wherever" to LA to play there these days...? And,

2) The Shield gets ratings for the league double-headers in the Number Two market in the country every week. it would be interesting to see the ratings comparisons from one situation to the other (having a team versus not) to see how the league sells their ad space using the idea as a leverage point...

And would it be worth it financially to leave the city alone...???

And In Other Stadium News, It's LA's Turn...

((HT: NBCLosAngeles.com))

First things first... Anschutz Entertainment Group CEO Tim Leiweke apologized for all of the hullabaloo involving the announcement selling AEG to anyone who wants to pick up all of their assets.

Then, the committee before the LA City Council decided to okay the agreements involving the idea that could be Farmers Field if they figure out if it can be built. Leiweke also says that AEG would be committed to a Farmers Field deal, even if AEG is sold. Leiweke also told the committee that he and his management team have committed long-term to working at AEG, according to the Los Angeles Times and KCBS-TV...

Now, the full City Council gets to vote on the idea by the end of the week...

Toni Guinyard gets to stand outside a courthouse-looking building to talk about it...

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