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WGRZ Piece on the Sale, Sounds like the Trust wanted a Bidding War


Ronin

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http://www.wgrz.com/story/sports/nfl/future-of-the-bills/2014/08/04/bills-sale-nda-bon-jovi-trump/13606473/

 

"I think they've backfired on Morgan Stanley, the firm representing the Wilson estate. I think the NDA is a big reason why there are only three bids that we know of to this point," Benigni said.

 

"I think it's a major factor for Tom Golisano, for example, for holding back his bid. And as a result, they've extended the deadline to accept new bids from that original July 29th date. The estate wanted a bidding war, and so far they've failed to create one."

 

 

I'm wondering why they wanted a bidding war, it makes it sound as if it's going to the highest bidder.

 

This thing really is turning into a circus though. Another article, the best written that I've seen on the trust, talked about how the stringency of the NDA would repel bidders. The guys orchestrating this are experts with trusts and these kinds of things. Why they would desire a bidding war and yet create an NDA that deters would be bidders from getting involved makes it seem like the whole thing is being run by amateurs.

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http://www.wgrz.com/story/sports/nfl/future-of-the-bills/2014/08/04/bills-sale-nda-bon-jovi-trump/13606473/

 

"I think they've backfired on Morgan Stanley, the firm representing the Wilson estate. I think the NDA is a big reason why there are only three bids that we know of to this point," Benigni said.

 

"I think it's a major factor for Tom Golisano, for example, for holding back his bid. And as a result, they've extended the deadline to accept new bids from that original July 29th date. The estate wanted a bidding war, and so far they've failed to create one."

 

 

I'm wondering why they wanted a bidding war, it makes it sound as if it's going to the highest bidder.

 

This thing really is turning into a circus though. Another article, the best written that I've seen on the trust, talked about how the stringency of the NDA would repel bidders. The guys orchestrating this are experts with trusts and these kinds of things. Why they would desire a bidding war and yet create an NDA that deters would be bidders from getting involved makes it seem like the whole thing is being run by amateurs.

They want to drive the bids as high as they can but that doesn't necessarily mean that it will go to the highest bidder. In addition, there are more parties out there but there isn't a ton of advantages to submitting a preliminary bid. There were people that were going to try to gauge the preliminary bids and see where the process has gone. I would be surprised if we don't see more groups emerge. We have 2 loud mouth groups in Trump & JBJ so they want everyone to know that they are involved. In addition, Pegula has long been (and still is) considered the favorite. When he makes a move people will cover it. That doesn't mean that it is only those 3. Edited by Kirby Jackson
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They want to drive the bids as high as they can but that doesn't necessarily mean that it will go to the highest bidder. In addition, there are more parties out there but there isn't a ton of advantages to submitting a preliminary bid. There were people that were going to try to gauge the preliminary bids and see where the process has gone. I would be surprised if we don't see more groups emerge. We have 2 loud mouth groups in Trump & JBJ so they want everyone to know that they are involved. In addition, Pegula has long been (and still is) considered the favorite. When he makes a move people will cover it. That doesn't mean that it is only those 3.

 

How?

Edited by Mr. WEO
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Maybe the trust did that to make it easier to disqualify bids that they don't want? Makes perfect sense if their primary interest is to approve sale to someone they like (that will keep the team in Buffalo) and not sell to the highest bidder.

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I think that sports reporters should generally avoid talking about business issues. Benigni has no point. If the estate wanted a bidding war, it wouldn't have put onerous bidding conditions in the auction.

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They want to drive the bids as high as they can but that doesn't necessarily mean that it will go to the highest bidder. In addition, there are more parties out there but there isn't a ton of advantages to submitting a preliminary bid. There were people that were going to try to gauge the preliminary bids and see where the process has gone. I would be surprised if we don't see more groups emerge. We have 2 loud mouth groups in Trump & JBJ so they want everyone to know that they are involved. In addition, Pegula has long been (and still is) considered the favorite. When he makes a move people will cover it. That doesn't mean that it is only those 3.

 

I understand this but there must be a person that was somewhat amazed that, allegedly, a 1.3 billion offer came in. I know the clippers went for 2 billion but it is silly to compare that sale to what is going on with the Bills. It seems like they may annoy some of the bidders and, though unlikely, those bidders could withdraw. I doubt the NDA stopped anyone from bidding.

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How?

We have heard that 3 bids were received. We have also heard different numbers (Trump $1B cash, Pegula up to $1.3b, etc...). There are people now that have a sense for the competition and where the price may go. There really isn't much of an advantage to the non binding bids except you can see more info.

 

 

 

I understand this but there must be a person that was somewhat amazed that, allegedly, a 1.3 billion offer came in. I know the clippers went for 2 billion but it is silly to compare that sale to what is going on with the Bills. It seems like they may annoy some of the bidders and, though unlikely, those bidders could withdraw. I doubt the NDA stopped anyone from bidding.

Was his bid $1.3B? It won't annoy bidders; these are big time business people. They are at the trust's mercy if they want the Bills. The trust will ultimately select the best person for the team but they certainly won't eliminate people or take extra $ off the table. It's a negotiation.
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Hate to say it but this is just speculative BS that may be out there just to create a story when there is not one. Trump and JBJ are highly public figures and if there was any thought they would "shut up" for long in this process the trust was simply short sighted. The longer this looks like a circus the better I feel about Pegula's chances of winning. He has the money and seems to have the behavior to get the deal done. No doubt I am biased as I want him to win.

 

 

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The Bills franchise cost $25,000 , made many millions since 1960, and they did not accept a $1.3 Billion bid :thumbdown:

 

This comment has so much fail to it I can't even quantify it.

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Are you serious? Of course not!! They want the highest price from the best buyer (ie someone keeping them in WNY).

 

What the trust "wants" is a very complicated issue that has gotten mischaracterized both here and in the media. The trust and the trustees have a fiduciary duty to the trust beneficiaries (the people who will receive the proceeds from the sale of the team) that is governed by the trust agreement (a legal document similar to a will) and applicable state law. To my knowledge there has not been a public disclosure as to what the trust agreement says - it could say the team must go to the "highest bidder," or say something much more ambiguous like "reasonable offer." It could also say something about the team's location or not. The point is we just don't know. Another wrinkle to this is if the trustees and beneficiaries are the same people, in which case they simply owe a fiduciary duty to themselves in which case they can probably do whatever they want.

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