Archives for September 2014

‘But cheering for the Bills is an emotional thing, and keeping them is, too. Callers phoned in to the sports radio station, WGR550, with those blunt clipped local accents that make you imagine a man with a frozen moustache. They thanked Terry Pegula and his wife, Kim. They called it the best day in Buffalo sports history. A lot of them talked about their fathers. Some wept.’

‘Now that the Toronto group is out of the running for good, Sunday’s home opener against the Miami Dolphins will be a lot louder and happier, Pellien vowed. “It’s gonna be a madhouse,” said Pellien.’

‘Terry and Kim Pegula repelled the would-be plunderers of the city’s NFL franchise. A team that once seemed certain to depart for richer, more fashionable locations in Toronto or Los Angeles will stay in beleaguered Buffalo: The billionaire owners of the local NHL team stepped up to buy the Bills from the estate of the late Ralph Wilson for a reported bid of $1.4-billion (U.S.).’

‘”Ralph Wilson left an indelible mark on our community, and we will strive every day to honor his legacy,” the Pegulas said in a statement. “Our interest in owning the Bills has everything to do with the people of Western New York and our passion for football.”‘

‘”It is gratifying to reassure these great fans that two franchises (Bills and Sabres) so important to our region are both here to stay,” Pegula wrote in a statement via the team.’

‘The sale needs to be approved by a three-quarters majority of the NFL’s owners, who are scheduled to meet on Oct. 8, and is also subject to “the satisfaction of customary closing conditions,” according to the team’s statement.’

‘”On behalf of Myself, Larry Tanenbaum and Edward Rogers (who were part of Bon Jovi’s purchasing team), we wish Terry and Kim Pegula all the best as they continue the legacy and tradition of the Buffalo Bills and the Wilson family,” Bon Jovi said.’

‘Buffalo ran for 193 yards to win 23-20 in overtime at Chicago, and to no one’s surprise, running backs C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson had plenty to do with it. This means the Dolphins’ focus this week is the opposite of last week, when Tom Brady was in the cross hairs.’

‘”This is a very important day in the history of the Buffalo Bills franchise,” Mary Wilson, the widow of Ralph Wilson Jr. who assumed controlling interest in the team after her husband’s death in March, said in a statement issued by the team.’

‘The highest price for an NFL franchise was $1.1 billion, which Stephen Ross paid for the Miami Dolphins and their stadium in 2009.’

‘”From day one, keeping the Bills in Buffalo has been one of our administration’s top priorities, and reports that Terry and Kim Pegula have been chosen as the team’s new owners highlight a tremendous step toward making that goal a reality,” Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.’

‘”It’s Christmas morning,” said season-ticket holder and noted Bills tailgater Scott Hunsinger. “It really takes a burden off of die-hard fans that we know now that we’re not going to lose our team.”‘

‘Dareus attended a hearing Tuesday in Hamburg Town Justice Court in an attempt to reach a plea deal but did not appear before the judge. Dareus’ lawyer, Michael Caffrery, declined comment on his way out of the courtroom.’

‘Any sale would need to be approved by the NFL. That process could be completed by next month.’

‘Former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, real estate tycoon Donald Trump and rocker Jon Bon Jovi were all involved in groups angling to buy the franchise. The Bon Jovi group, made up mostly of Toronto businessmen, was not popular in the region because of a fear the team could be moved to Canada, where the Bills played one regular-season home game every year in recent seasons.’