CBD Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 They are an AHL team right now. I know it's a Bills board but, they've gotten their asses handed to them the past two nights with TJ Brennan as the only player that wasn't on their opening day roster. It's way more than just injuries right now, they flat out suck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I understand that Ralph wants to own the team until he is gone. Why wouldn't he consider selling a reasonable stake in the organization to outsiders and give them full control. At the end of the day, he may want to have a SB ring and he could still do it by being part owner.. Probably because he'd have to open his books. For all we know Ralph had used the team as a piggy bank, not kosher under current NFL rules. But it's not like he's the only owner who did that. Do the words "Sullivan" and Jackson Victory Tour" ring a bell? PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Senator Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 What, no scathing rebukes of the OP yet? It's a crock of sh_t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebug Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 It's a crock of sh_t. It is a crock. I heard Mike Leach is buying the team so he can be the head coach of a NFL team. Not confirmed, just what I heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All_Pro_Bills Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 As stated many many times before. There is no deal in place to do anything at the time of RW's death. It is all about estate taxes. His family is not rich enough to pay for the tax at the time of his death so it must be sold. He can not control who the team is sold to. He can not at the time of his death put any stipulations on the sale. Keep dreaming... There won't be estate taxes at the time of death since ownership of the team would transfer to his wife. But as I understand the situation, Mrs. Wilson has no interest in managing or owning the team after Ralph passes. If Mr. WIlson's will transfers ownership to another family member or to a non-family member then that might be another story but I am not a tax accountant or estate attorney so I don't have a lot of insight into how that would be handled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsfaninFl Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I have to admit that I am suspicious of any rumor that conveniently links Pegula and Kelly as part of a group to buy the Bills. Many here have wished for Pegula because he is willing to spend money on players. Kelly keeps implying that he is alligned with a group interested in buying the Bills. We all would love to see this become a reality. But the naysayers have multiple good points. Wilson has no reason to disclose all of his plans. The NFL is very picky about who they will allow into their club (and for years they have implied that there will never be another Green Bay (community) ownership. The league ownersahip has evolved into a pool of sharks (think about the most recent new owners) who are all about maximizing incoming revenue. They consider western New York as a poor source compared to other areas where corporate bucks are in abundance and populations are rising. All these and more are factors working against what we wish will happen. But as a wise man said, "It ain't over 'til it's over." I'll continue to hope for the best results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I have to admit that I am suspicious of any rumor that conveniently links Pegula and Kelly as part of a group to buy the Bills. Many here have wished for Pegula because he is willing to spend money on players. Kelly keeps implying that he is alligned with a group interested in buying the Bills. We all would love to see this become a reality. But the naysayers have multiple good points. Wilson has no reason to disclose all of his plans. The NFL is very picky about who they will allow into their club (and for years they have implied that there will never be another Green Bay (community) ownership. The league ownersahip has evolved into a pool of sharks (think about the most recent new owners) who are all about maximizing incoming revenue. They consider western New York as a poor source compared to other areas where corporate bucks are in abundance and populations are rising. All these and more are factors working against what we wish will happen. But as a wise man said, "It ain't over 'til it's over." I'll continue to hope for the best results. That's where Toronto comes in. The NFL likes the idea of Toronto money. I know we hate it but we need them to be viable in the eyes of the NFL. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zazie Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 How can you credibly say Wilson has made no moves to keep the team in Buffalo? In an era where NFL franchises regularly run roughshod over municipalities, Ralph has never (over the last 30 years) asked for a new stadium, only targeted upgrades. If he's not committed to keeping the team in Bflo, why would he continue to take a "reasonable" approach to keeping upgrade costs modest? Why not ask for the moon knowing full well that Buffalo/NYS couldn't meet his demands, thereby giving himself or even the next owner a built-in excuse to leave? Why has Ralph been the one to state he wants lease re-negotiations to move forward? Don't you find it odd that he's the one pushing this issue? Why, when holding all the cards in lease renegotiations, has Ralph stated (reportedly) he is agreeable to a clause allowing for the Bills to repay the County if they break the lease? This intentionally positions Buffalo as the default location for the next owner. Why would Ralph intentionally create this hurdle for the next owner - is that a smart move ahead of a planned sale of your primary asset? Sure the unknown is maddening for all of us, but just because Ralph hasn't put all his cards on the table doesn't mean he isn't making moves to keep Buffalo viable as the home of the Bills far into the future. I think Ralph's actions all line up to position Buffalo as well as possible for the next owner. Your niavete is indeed refreshing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattsox Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I never post rumors but the credibility of the source is impeccable. I live near Boca Raton and provide estate services to very wealthy clients in Palm Beach county. I was told that Terry Pegula is part of a prospective ownership group that includes Jim Kelly, and that group is a near lock to purchase the Bills once Ralph passes. Yes, it is a virtual rumor, but like I mentioned above, the source is major player and I don't think I was being lied to. Orly? Maybe the Sabres can trade for Fitz? LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mob16151 Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 It is a crock. I heard Mike Leach is buying the team so he can be the head coach of a NFL team. Not confirmed, just what I heard. Going the Chanticleer route huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt in KC Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 only thing im gonna say is that if in fact you were an estate services provider for some of the ultra rich players in this situation, why would you risk your livelihood, which i imagine and possibly incorrectly assume, is a nice one, over something that could very easily get back to your employer and/or clients, which ill also and possibly incorrectly assume, is an exclusive group, to post something here that we'll find out when if what you say should happen, happens... He just said he provides "estate services." Perhaps his team cuts the grass and installs sprinkler systems.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 There won't be estate taxes at the time of death since ownership of the team would transfer to his wife. But as I understand the situation, Mrs. Wilson has no interest in managing or owning the team after Ralph passes. If Mr. WIlson's will transfers ownership to another family member or to a non-family member then that might be another story but I am not a tax accountant or estate attorney so I don't have a lot of insight into how that would be handled. If the team is left to anyone besides Mary Wilson there is a substantial inheritance tax. Do you know why the Robbie family no longer owns the Dolphins? A $350M tax bill is why. The same reason why Mark Davis, Al's kid, will sell 35% of the Raiders. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewildrabbit Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I understand that Ralph wants to own the team until he is gone. Why wouldn't he consider selling a reasonable stake in the organization to outsiders and give them full control. At the end of the day, he may want to have a SB ring and he could still do it by being part owner.. My take is this owner is set in his ways, and it looks like he wants to be the only owner of the Buffalo Bills. So... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It's in My Blood Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 (edited) He just said he provides "estate services." Perhaps his team cuts the grass and installs sprinkler systems.... I never said what I was told was nothing more than a rumor. In fact, I even said it was! The only reason I posted what I did was because of who told me and his status. This could take years to develop and as one poster pointed out, who knows how long Ralph will continue to live. So yea, as another poster stated, "its a crock of s****", at least at this point. In response to Matt in KC's snide comment about my job, yes, irrigation and landscape is one aspect of what we provide. Edited January 20, 2012 by It's in My Blood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpberr Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I've never bought the idea that there's no plan in place when Ralph Wilson passes away. On the contrary, I think there's been a plan in place for some time with an "equitable" owner of sorts. For now, so long as he's alive, there is plenty of financial benefit to keeping that agreement and parties confidential. If any of that got some sun, it'd be absolute chaos for Wilson and the prospetive owners and a massive risk to the investment. Sure, there is the fanbase, but you have a lot of corporate relationships that go smoother when there's a lot of stability. You don't want your corporate sponsors or the NFL getting nervous. You'd have the scrutiny of the NFL, IRS and not to mention other groups and persons trying to sneak in and outmaneuver you. You keep any arrangement air tight until it's done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Your niavete is indeed refreshing! You make a convincing case, zazie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 How can you credibly say Wilson has made no moves to keep the team in Buffalo? In an era where NFL franchises regularly run roughshod over municipalities, Ralph has never (over the last 30 years) asked for a new stadium, only targeted upgrades. If he's not committed to keeping the team in Bflo, why would he continue to take a "reasonable" approach to keeping upgrade costs modest? Why not ask for the moon knowing full well that Buffalo/NYS couldn't meet his demands, thereby giving himself or even the next owner a built-in excuse to leave? Why has Ralph been the one to state he wants lease re-negotiations to move forward? Don't you find it odd that he's the one pushing this issue? Why, when holding all the cards in lease renegotiations, has Ralph stated (reportedly) he is agreeable to a clause allowing for the Bills to repay the County if they break the lease? This intentionally positions Buffalo as the default location for the next owner. Why would Ralph intentionally create this hurdle for the next owner - is that a smart move ahead of a planned sale of your primary asset? Sure the unknown is maddening for all of us, but just because Ralph hasn't put all his cards on the table doesn't mean he isn't making moves to keep Buffalo viable as the home of the Bills far into the future. I think Ralph's actions all line up to position Buffalo as well as possible for the next owner. Why? Why? Why? Easy:money--lots of it. The Bills are a maintenence free source of massive income for Wilson. This has been true for many years. Almost all of his costs of doing business are covered by shared league revenues. The rest is gravy. WHy pay the expense of movign and risk ending up in a town like JAx? And Ralph might agree to a lease that will charge the team if it breaks the lease? Actually, he would have no choice but to sign such a lease--it would be included in any lease anywhere he went. The county would not present him with a lease without that clause--the "hurdle" wold come from the county. I think Pegula has been mentioned in the past as a potential owner and Kelly (although it's not clear he has 100K in the bank) has been interjecting himself into the ownership talk for a few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeMonkey Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 (edited) Its funny how these threads pop up every now and then. With nothing more tangible than "someone who is in the know" speculating about [insert billionaires name here] plan to buy the Bills. I suppose if people guess enough, someone will eventually be right. But what's the point of speculation other than killing time during another Bills-free post season? Edited January 20, 2012 by CodeMonkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing_joker Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 If the team is left to anyone besides Mary Wilson there is a substantial inheritance tax. Do you know why the Robbie family no longer owns the Dolphins? A $350M tax bill is why. The same reason why Mark Davis, Al's kid, will sell 35% of the Raiders. PTR Yeah, I'll be sure to feel REALLY sorry for anyone that has to pay 35 or even a 50% tax on inheriting $700 million dollars. Boo hoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloWest Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Pegula would be just the kind of owner we've always wanted. But seriously, the Sabres are showing that just spending money gets you squat. In fact I can't recall ever seeing the Sabres in worse shape, though it's not for Pegula trying to do the right thing. Totally bizarre. PTR I think this would be the best case scenario. A guy like Terry can buy The Bills for a Billion, Build a stadium downtown for a billion, and still have a billion left over. Why not? The teams will always generate revenue and increase in value. Why sit on a couple of billion when you could do something great and be a hero to millions of Western New Yorkers....Fingers crossed. Regarding Sabres...I doubt he'll sit back and continue to let this thing flounder. He tried to do the right thing by keeping some continuity...but it aint working...This franchise needs to be reinvented. Some pieces are there, but these guys need to go.... * Roy * Hecht * Gaustadt * Boyes * Kaleta * Ellis * Lindy Ruff * Darcy Regier * I know Pominville and Vanek are goal scorers, but they should be trade bait. They are both soft and part of the "regime/core" which just hasnt succeeded. * Id say Miller too, but Enroth is too risky as our top goalie at this time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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