BillnutinHouston Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 Don't get me wrong, I heartily applaud the BFA founders for their efforts to develop their financing concepts and build their Board of Directors with new Hall of Famers. But am I the only one who is surprised at the low profile being kept by the BFA at this critical point in time? Should they not be actively soliciting contributions, or are they quietly working in the shadows with prospective ownership groups? Have they tried pursuing these discussions and discovered that anyone known to have contact with this group would be perceived as a financial lightweight and therefore have a strike (or 2 or 3) against them? I can say that months ago I emailed the BFA to ask whether contributions would be tax deductible, and never even got a reply. If the BFA's financial contributions have been determined to be meaningless in the sale process, would it be helpful for them to at least put out an online petition of some kind to give voice to how Bills fans would react over the next several years to a sale to an out-of-town buyer? I'm not a fan of online polls but would an expression of Bills fans' reactions to such a sale, in advance, have a psychological or even deterrent effect on the workings of either the trust or the league, or even potential bidders? Sorry for all the questions, I just find the speculation fascinating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDIGGZ Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 Not knowing the ins and outs of the group, I don't know if they were ready for prime time. They were still growing and getting their ducks in a row when Ralph passed. I think if it happened a couple of years later they would have been in a better position to help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdand12 Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 Don't get me wrong, I heartily applaud the BFA founders for their efforts to develop their financing concepts and build their Board of Directors with new Hall of Famers. But am I the only one who is surprised at the low profile being kept by the BFA at this critical point in time? Should they not be actively soliciting contributions, or are they quietly working in the shadows with prospective ownership groups? Have they tried pursuing these discussions and discovered that anyone known to have contact with this group would be perceived as a financial lightweight and therefore have a strike (or 2 or 3) against them? I can say that months ago I emailed the BFA to ask whether contributions would be tax deductible, and never even got a reply. If the BFA's financial contributions have been determined to be meaningless in the sale process, would it be helpful for them to at least put out an online petition of some kind to give voice to how Bills fans would react over the next several years to a sale to an out-of-town buyer? I'm not a fan of online polls but would an expression of Bills fans' reactions to such a sale, in advance, have a psychological or even deterrent effect on the workings of either the trust or the league, or even potential bidders? Sorry for all the questions, I just find the speculation fascinating. I have no idea where to look for current goings ons. Good question . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wiz Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 I know eball was up for a vote to be part of it recently but other than that, I haven't heard much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I know eball was up for a vote to be part of it recently but other than that, I haven't heard much. Their website is not loading on my Ipad and I am too lazy to run upstairs to grab a laptop to look at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted June 26, 2014 Author Share Posted June 26, 2014 I know eball was up for a vote to be part of it recently but other than that, I haven't heard much. Yea good point. If he's still in campaign mode, he probably can't say much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Their website is not loading on my Ipad and I am too lazy to run upstairs to grab a laptop to look at it. Are you back yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy10 Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 eball did not get elected, so he's off somewhere plotting his political comeback, a la Richard Nixon. The BFA got some decently big names involved on their advisory committee, Andre Reed, Steve Christie, among others, IIRC. Seeing as how they're a nonprofit, and my familiarity with that world, hopefully they're currently working on a mission statement and a feasibility study if they really want to raise money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billsfanmiami(oh) Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I was thinking about the same thing the other day. I'm guessing its one of two things. They either got some info that the Bills are safe and there is no real need to draw attention right now, or as someone else said they just don't have their ducks in a row. I guess in a way I'd be more concerned if they were making a bunch of noise to try and get more grassroots type support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted June 26, 2014 Author Share Posted June 26, 2014 I guess in a way I'd be more concerned if they were making a bunch of noise to try and get more grassroots type support. I think I agree with this. The silence and waiting is painful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRAWNDO Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I was thinking about the same thing the other day. I'm guessing its one of two things. They either got some info that the Bills are safe and there is no real need to draw attention right now, or as someone else said they just don't have their ducks in a row. I guess in a way I'd be more concerned if they were making a bunch of noise to try and get more grassroots type support. Matt Sabuda the Director of BFA was on with Sal C. on Sports Talk Saturday about a month ago. He mentioned he had met with two possible ownership groups who like to keep the team in WNY. He was probably told the team is safe and that their assistance would not be necessary with the purchase of the team. They could be waiting until the purchase is complete to start raising funds to contribute to a new stadium, perhaps to defray some of the costs of PSLs? BTW the two new members of the board of directors are Celeste Albone and Brian Smith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Dog Named Kelso Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 It looks like they pulled their content out of their web pages. Very strange ... very strange indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted June 26, 2014 Author Share Posted June 26, 2014 Matt Sabuda the Director of BFA was on with Sal C. on Sports Talk Saturday about a month ago. He mentioned he had met with two possible ownership groups who like to keep the team in WNY. He was probably told the team is safe and that their assistance would not be necessary with the purchase of the team. They could be waiting until the purchase is complete to start raising funds to contribute to a new stadium, perhaps to defray some of the costs of PSLs? BTW the two new members of the board of directors are Celeste Albone and Brian Smith. Great info Brawndo, thanks. It looks like they pulled their content out of their web pages. Very strange ... very strange indeed. Hmmm now that is interesting. Something's clearly afoot. To me this group out of the gate had the appearance of a thoughtful, substantive group and the fact that they're maintaining a low profile at this juncture must be for a clear strategic purpose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 eball did not get elected, so he's off somewhere plotting his political comeback, a la Richard Nixon. The BFA got some decently big names involved on their advisory committee, Andre Reed, Steve Christie, among others, IIRC. Seeing as how they're a nonprofit, and my familiarity with that world, hopefully they're currently working on a mission statement and a feasibility study if they really want to raise money. shhh, don't give away my strategy. Truth is, I don't know much of anything about what they're doing, but if I hear anything I'll be happy to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 It looks like they pulled their content out of their web pages. Very strange ... very strange indeed. I wonder if they were shut down legally... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wiz Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I wonder if they were shut down legally... If that were the case you would think they would have a page saying so. Curious as to why they would be shut down. I didn't think anything on there was private information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 If that were the case you would think they would have a page saying so. Curious as to why they would be shut down. I didn't think anything on there was private information. The team or the league may have had the right to shut them down because they were raising money in connection with the team. It might also be the case given the sums they indicated they wanted to raise that a tax or some sort of legal entity status has to be set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Campy Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I reached out to Del Reid (co-founder of #BillsMafia and Buffalo Fan Alliance) to share the concerns expressed in this thread. His reply was succinct: "I assure you, we've not been shut down and are still very much moving forward with everything we've shared over the past few months." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
May Day 10 Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 I think its a good sign. If they were forced to shut down due to something negative, Im sure the founders would be screaming from treetops. Taking down the page and going silent IMO indicates they may be in the good graces of a serious bidder (Pegula) and the whole thing will be rebranded a bit more professionally with a new direction upon purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy10 Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 From Monday's Buffalo News: http://bills.buffalonews.com/2014/06/23/buffalo-fan-alliance-appoints-two-fans-advisory-board/ The search for two fans to take at-large spots on the board began with fans making written submissions to be considered. Then 10 fan finalists were chosen. Fan voting produced the two choices. The board will guide the group as it finalizes a fundraising mechanism for fans to help keep the team in Buffalo. As I suspected, they're just finalizing things behind the scenes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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