Peter

I love the Willy Wonka reference. I believe the penalty is designed to protect any attempted move away from WNY. I do not believe the state or county would have an issue with a move to another location in WNY provided all were on board with financing etc.

That is different from what John Kryk reported the other day. He reported: "Two sources said Pegula indeed bid about $1.3 billion." http://blogs.canoe.ca/krykslants/nfl/exclusive-toronto-group-bidding-on-bills-allowed-to-submit-higher-first-bid-and-must-provide-greater-assurance-it-would-not-relocate-team-sources-say/

FWIW, it has been my understanding that Thurman's relationship with the Wilsons always has been very close.

FWIW, it has been my understanding that Thurman's relationship with the Wilsons always has been very close.

Jon Bon Jovi's time is better spent being with his friend in Dallas in his time of need rather than wasting any more of his time trying to be a carpetbagger.

Theory: Trust and Morgan Stanley realize there are very serious legal issues if the Trust were to select Toronto group as winning bidder because of lease (and perhaps language of Trust) that could trigger litigation. Every person who has a brain knows Toronto group wants the team in Toronto. As a result, as John Kryk reported, the Trust/Morgan Stanley rejected their bid for both legal issues (non-relocation assurance) and financial reasons (low bid). The fact that the Trust/Morgan Stanley asked for better non-relocation assurance would be evidence that the Trust is aware of their intent. This could be used against the Trust and Trustees in any action that the state/county might bring if the Trust were to select the Toronto group to show that they were aware. I have a hard time believing that the Toronto group, at this point, could ever satisfactorily demonstrate that they do not intend on moving the team in a manner that would not risk exposure to litigation to the Trust and Trustees. They cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube. There is a reason why everyone refers to them as the Toronto group. Again, the Trust should do the right thing and sell to the Pegulas. The reported bid is more than anyone has ever paid for an NFL team, they would be heroes, and there would be no risk of the state or county suing them. Just my two cents.

CJ also said that he is a Buffalo Bill "through and through" and "I love this place, I love being here in Buffalo, I love the people." http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/CJ-Spiller-I’m-a-Buffalo-Bill-through-and-through/3291f2ca-a218-4151-801e-2bb5ba45ec6d

This. Even Brian Burke said the Sabres are in a great position. The Sabres are building a strong foundation and will be very good for a long time. Most owners would not have the financial patience for this. We are lucky we have owners who think strategically and are patient. Nearly all Sabres fans are on board.

Jerry is going to be worth a lot less after his wife sees those photos.

Indeed.

Exactly. If the Pegulas win, we all win. It will be a very happy and significant day for all of us who love Buffalo and the Bills. As an aside, if I recall correctly, the owners meeting is October 8th. I was thinking about flying up to Buffalo for the next Sabres and Bills game to be part of what I anticipate is going to be a huge celebration.

A stark contrast between the Pegulas and JBJ. JBJ really needs to go on tour (somewhere other than WNY) and forget about the Bills.

Jerry is a great husband and father just like Bon Jovi.

As I wrote earlier - ask whether they will make their initial bid binding. Pretty simple stuff. I apologize for being ornery. I just want this to be over. Being a Bills fan and this entire process reminds me of the lyrics to this song (including a reference to "trust"): "It Don't Come Easy" It don't come easy, You know it don't come easy. It don't come easy, You know it don't come easy. Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues, And you know it don't come easy. You don't have to shout or leap about, You can even play them easy. Forget about the past and all your sorrows, The future won't last, It will soon be over tomorrow. I don't ask for much, i only want your trust, And you know it don't come easy. And this love of mine keeps growing all the time, And you know it just ain't easy. Open up your heart, let's come together, Use a little love And we will make it work out better. (ah -) (ah -) (ooh-ooh) (ah-ooh-ooh) Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues, And you know it don't come easy. You don't have to shout or leap about, You can even play them easy. Peace, remember peace is how we make it, Here within your reach If you're big enough to take it. I don't ask for much, i only want your trust, And you know it don't come easy. And this love of mine keeps growing all the time, And you know it don't come easy.

The last few posts lead to the question: why are Morgan Stanley or the trust playing with fire? They have a bid that exceeds anything anyone has paid for an NFL team by bidders who will keep the team in Buffalo. By accepting the bid, the trustees will be heroes (and very rich) and not risk any litigation. What if, by monkeying with the "deadline," excusing violations of the NDA, and now giving JBJ yet another opportunity to bid, Morgan Stanley were to piss off the Pegulas who get tired of having to play by the rules while the others do not. I doubt that the Pegulas would withdraw, but Morgan Stanley and the Trust may want to consider that $1.3 Billion in hand is worth more than a Bon Jovi in the bush.

No kidding. Without ever even having met Kim or Terry Pegula, I cannot imagine liking and being more grateful for anyone in my life other than family members and friends. I kid you not. That is how important Buffalo, the Bills, and the Sabres are to me.

Highest bidder: the Pegulas (in fact, bid higher than the purchase price of any NFL team in history) Bidder who will keep team in Buffalo: the Pegulas. Seems pretty simple to me.

Interesting factoid for those that may not know: Rob Johnson's mother is from Buffalo. On the other hand, here is all you need to know about Doug Flutie: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/144889312983318255/

I really wish he had not taken this sack in the playoffs. If not for this sack, we could have won that game.

Nope. Because my wife is Dutch, I will take some of the credit. I am glad Dutch money has gone to good use - keeping the Sabres and Bills where they belong in BUFFALO!

I can see the finish line . . . I just want the race to be over so that we can all celebrate. As I have posted before, the fans of every other team just have to worry about football things like won-loss records. Us Bills fans (for about the past 25 years) have had to worry about whether the team would stay in Buffalo and, more recently, the parsing and interpretation of non-relocation agreements in leases, non-disclosure agreements, trusts, testamentary intent, investment bank deadlines and soft deadlines . . . .

This was one of his best articles (also on the heels of John Kryk's breaking news by the way). The problem with Tim sometimes is that he has seemed to want to be the contrarian. By and large, he is good. The other thing that I like about him is that he does not take the snark approach (as do Bucky, Sully, and Harrington) except on twitter. That stuff got old a long time ago.

That is my fervent hope and desire. Save face while you can JBJ.

Thanks Tim. This is more like it. It is time (as both John Kryk and Tim Graham have reported) for JBJ to save face and go back to New Jersey. He can try to buy someone else's team. The Pegulas have offered a substantial amount for the team, would easily be approved by the NFL, and are the favorites of the fans and the politicians in the state of New York. The decision seems so easy.

Then why don't they freaking ask him and move forward. This is complete horse ****. I apologize. I don't mean to rant. We all know there is a reason that the "Toronto group" is called the Toronto group. It is all a charade on their part.