EndZoneCrew Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) Golisano stated that if the Bills go up for sale and there is a doubt that the team would stay in Buffalo, he would be very interested in being part of a package to keep them in Buffalo. This is fantastic news, and the first time I have heard anything concrete. What do you think? Edited February 3, 2011 by EndZoneCrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DwightSchrute Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I think it was a little more telling that he's never heard anything about them ever being for sale. It could certainly be a poker face, but I really hate the idea of no succession plan by Mr. Wilson whatsoever. This might also mean that Golisano is not on Jim Kelly's list of "investors" (which I am confident does actually exist). His statements might be opening the door for those conversations if they haven't happened yet. Man, it would be nice to not have to speculate all the time and worry about our teams leaving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Im in shock he said what he did. He was pressed about the Bills maybe 3 or 4 times and each time he was very careful to leave the door open.... more open than shut for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richNjoisy Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I think it was a little more telling that he's never heard anything about them ever being for sale. It could certainly be a poker face, but I really hate the idea of no succession plan by Mr. Wilson whatsoever. This might also mean that Golisano is not on Jim Kelly's list of "investors" (which I am confident does actually exist). His statements might be opening the door for those conversations if they haven't happened yet. Man, it would be nice to not have to speculate all the time and worry about our teams leaving. for the umpteenth time Kelly has stated numerous times emphatically that money is not the issue. And, if money is not the issue, and Kelly is putting the group together, IS there an issue? Now, if one wants to disbelieve Jimbo - one can. But if you believe him, then one has to think about under what circumstances that Jim would head up a group of investors that would allow for the team to leave Buffalo. I, myself, cannot think of the circumstances. So, I conclude the Bills are not going anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwight in philly Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) sure made my day! i am not a fan of quinn or golisano for obvious reasons concerning the on -ice product they try to sell us, but the mere fact he essentially said he would be VERY interested if the bills were in danger of leaving certainly seems like he would step up, very comforting, to say the least. the only question i would have is, would the fans be content if golisano runs the bills like he ran the sabres? i know, the bills have been worse, but i think it is due from outright ineptness as compared to golisano "wanting to break even" (as he said today). i will answer my own question.. yes, i would rather have a mediocre bills team, than none at all. Edited February 3, 2011 by dwight in philly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BucksNBills Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Golisano is a selfish bastard who only makes investments if its sure to pay out, whether in capital or self-glorification. Football in Buffalo is a lose-money prospect. He will NEVER buy the Bills and I wouldn't want his tight pockets to in the first place. Keep your hopes rooted in reality please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog69 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) Maybe I read it incorrectly, but when he was talking about Ralph and he made reference to Ralph being smart and also talked about Mr Wegman having a succession plan to avoid the death tax, Tom seemed to insinuate that Ralph has a succession plan in place. I got the impression that Tom was basically saying that the future of the Bills is already decided. He said something about "the Bills might never be for sale" or something like that. I have no factual basis for this, but it sounded to me like Tom didn't want to step on Ralph's toes but he was saying that Ralph already has a plan in place and that is why he has never been willing to talk to people who want to buy the team. Edited February 3, 2011 by Maddog69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Tuesday Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Golisano is a selfish bastard who only makes investments if its sure to pay out, whether in capital or self-glorification. Football in Buffalo is a lose-money prospect. He will NEVER buy the Bills and I wouldn't want his tight pockets to in the first place. Keep your hopes rooted in reality please. Yeah Ralph lost a fortune owning the Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realist Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 This was a very telling quote and one I always believed: "Ralph Wilson is a very smart guy, and if he thinks he has an estate tax problem or is going to have an estate tax problem, I would have to assume he's already done something about it. Now, I know he plays his cards very close to the vest, but I don't ever know if the Buffalo Bills are going to be for sale." I never understood why so many people think that Wilson has nothing planned. I know he hasn't told the public about it, but does he have to? I mean, I have something planned and I don't have anywhere even a smidgen close to what Wilson has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 This was a very telling quote and one I always believed: "Ralph Wilson is a very smart guy, and if he thinks he has an estate tax problem or is going to have an estate tax problem, I would have to assume he's already done something about it. Now, I know he plays his cards very close to the vest, but I don't ever know if the Buffalo Bills are going to be for sale." I never understood why so many people think that Wilson has nothing planned. I know he hasn't told the public about it, but does he have to? I mean, I have something planned and I don't have anywhere even a smidgen close to what Wilson has. I just kind of wish that if Mr Wilson has something set up which is designed to keep the Bills here, he would come clean about it.... for no other reason than to collect our gratitude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACor58 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Golisano is a selfish bastard who only makes investments if its sure to pay out, whether in capital or self-glorification. Football in Buffalo is a lose-money prospect. He will NEVER buy the Bills and I wouldn't want his tight pockets to in the first place. Keep your hopes rooted in reality please. Apparently you missed the part about Golisano turning down an offer that was $70 Million higher because it would have involved moving the team out of Buffalo. He also put a clause in the sale agreement to Pagual that makes it impossible for the Sabres to be moved. He really seems like a selfish bastard. If that doesn't convince you - try visting any of the Rochester colleges or universities his has donated money too, the Veterans Outreach Center (named after his late brother) or the Golisano Children's hospital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I don't get all the hate that Golisano seems to inspire. Sure, we never won a cup with him, and there were definitely some miscues in handling players...but, in a sense, he is just like Ralph Wilson. If you say "Ralph is cheap" there are many who will come to his defense, and insist he isn't. I don't believe that Mr Wilson, or Mr Golisano are "cheap" per se, but both overspend in the wrong areas, and let the more important thigs slide. In the case of the Bills, however, I give Mr Wilson more crap, than I would Golisano. It was clear, from the begining, Golisano was buying the Sabres to insure that they stayed in WNY, and thusly, added some strength to his other area businesses. While Mr Wilson (to my knowlege) doesn't have a lot of business investments, beyond the Bills, in WNY, at least at this point, his motives for owning the team as financially based as they are in "building a winner". I think that is why Mr Wilson, justifiably, has so many detractors. But, it is fair to say, about both men, we owe them some gratitude for keeping our two favorite teams from moving. I respect Golisano for getting out after a relatively short time...he made them profitable, turned over a little profit for himslf, and is moving on. All that said, I would not necessarily be thrilled to see Golisano buy the Bills, if they were run the way the Sabres have been, or, as the Bills have been run. If it was the only option, I would be okay...but, Pegula seems to be more the kind of owner I want for our teams...that is, if all the hype about him being a "fan first" is true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog69 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 (edited) I just kind of wish that if Mr Wilson has something set up which is designed to keep the Bills here, he would come clean about it.... for no other reason than to collect our gratitude Same here, I don't need details. I would just like to hear that a plan is in place to secure long term, stable ownership of the Bills and secure their future in Buffalo for the next several decades. I think by doing this, he would immediately receive positive publicity and would get more benefit of the doubt from the fans. I think their would be an increase in ticket sales as well. But, to be honest, I think Ralph enjoys the villain persona. Edited February 3, 2011 by Maddog69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndZoneCrew Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 I think by doing this, he would immediately receive positive publicity and would get more benefit of the doubt from the fans. I think their would be an increase in ticket sales as well. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 How would this work? Would he wait until someone else has purchased the team and announced a move--and then he steps in and buys the team from that guy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Same here, I don't need details. I would just like to hear that a plan is in place to secure long term, stable ownership of the Bills and secure their future in Buffalo for the next several decades. I think by doing this, he would immediately receive positive publicity and would get more benefit of the doubt from the fans. I think their would be an increase in ticket sales as well. But, to be honest, I think Ralph enjoys the villain persona. maybe he does.... It would just be kind of a tragedy for him to receive all the criticism and hatred while he is alive.... then passes..... and when all the layers are peeled away we find out that he has basically gifted us the team in place for the foreseeable future. I would start to collect the signatures for the bronze statue, but he would never know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermike Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Maybe I read it incorrectly, but when he was talking about Ralph and he made reference to Ralph being smart and also talked about Mr Wegman having a succession plan to avoid the death tax, Tom seemed to insinuate that Ralph has a succession plan in place. I got the impression that Tom was basically saying that the future of the Bills is already decided. He said something about "the Bills might never be for sale" or something like that. I have no factual basis for this, but it sounded to me like Tom didn't want to step on Ralph's toes but he was saying that Ralph already has a plan in place and that is why he has never been willing to talk to people who want to buy the team. If current rates hold up, the estate tax is not going to clobber the next owner. It's at 35% with a $5M exclusion, but assuming that the exclusion is tied up in Ralph's other property, it means that the heir only needs to sell 35% of the team to pay the taxes. So say Ralph decides that Kelly should own the team, and it's left to him in the will (unlikely, but I don't know who else is Ralph's heir now, since his daughter passed.) Jim sells 35% to pay the taxes, and 14% to send $100M back to Ralph's other heirs (or whatever). He's the majority owner now, and the taxes are paid. That's not too bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Good to know what both Golisano and Pegula want to keep the team in Buffalo. And being former/current owners of another pro sports team will only help their standing in the eyes of the NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpberr Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Time to be Debbie Downer on Pegula. http://www.mcall.com/news/local/carpenter/mc-paul-carpenter-team-owners-20110203,0,6567425.column I think Wilson has had a succession plan for a long time. I think it's been kept private because fans will probably hate it as it swaps out one type of uncertainty (does he have a plan?) with different uncertainty (what will his daughters do? Sell?) and Wilson does not want to subject his two daughters to the media and fan circus it'd create. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heitz Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Time to be Debbie Downer on Pegula. http://www.mcall.com/news/local/carpenter/mc-paul-carpenter-team-owners-20110203,0,6567425.column Meh, another article about the dangers of Fracking - I think we all know there are issues with the business (though, I wouldn't see any if I sold my company for $4.7 billion). Not sure what that has to do with the guys love of hockey. Also, he's from the area, not Florida. And am I supposed to be shocked that a billionaire gave hundreds of thousands to the Republicans? Nope... Let's give the guy a chance before poo-pooing his ownership of the Sabres... As for the Bills, I too am interested in keeping there here - anyone (other than Pegula), have about a billion I can borrow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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