fitnbills Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 http://www.profootballtalk.com/category/rumor-mill/ With the family of the only owner in Bills history already making it known that they won’t keep the team after Ralph Wilson (now 90 years old) passes on, Peter King of NBC reports that Buffalo Hall of Famer quarterback Jim Kelly is trying to put a group together that would buy the team. It’s unclear whether Kelly’s group would purchase the franchise in the short term, or whether the deal would wait until Mr. Wilson is playing pinochle with former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. Kelly’s goal is to keep the team in Western New York permanently. Whether that means playing one or two (or four) games each year in Toronto remains to be seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murra Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 This news is so old it owes jesus a nickle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Avenger Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Its been known for some time that Kelly would like to put together an owners group for the team, the question really is how feasible that would be. You'd need to gather up something on the order of $700 million, and the NFL isn't going to allow that to come from 30 investors (they'd like a single owner bt may allow a group of a handful of people). Unfortunatley, the area is somewhat short on billionaires, so Kelly hs his work cut out for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buftex Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I heard Jimbo talking about the Bills future, and Toronto, and mentionong that the team needs a new stadium. If it were up to him, he said, he would put a new stadium in Niagra Falls, to tap the Canadian market (it would cut about 45 minutes off of their drive time for a game), and keep the Bills in WNY. Of course, he isists, they would still be called the Buffalo Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicholasCal1 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 jim has time.ralph will be the first 100 year old owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv Levy Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 After he buys the team, Jimbo would call the new stadium, "Network" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcali Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Its been known for some time that Kelly would like to put together an owners group for the team, the question really is how feasible that would be. You'd need to gather up something on the order of $700 million, and the NFL isn't going to allow that to come from 30 investors (they'd like a single owner bt may allow a group of a handful of people). Unfortunatley, the area is somewhat short on billionaires, so Kelly hs his work cut out for him. jacobs,rich or golisano........those r the western new york billionaires. but maybe he has people from outside the area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keepthefaith Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 After he buys the team, Jimbo would call the new stadium, "Network" Ouch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaninATL Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Its been known for some time that Kelly would like to put together an owners group for the team, the question really is how feasible that would be. You'd need to gather up something on the order of $700 million, and the NFL isn't going to allow that to come from 30 investors (they'd like a single owner bt may allow a group of a handful of people). Unfortunatley, the area is somewhat short on billionaires, so Kelly hs his work cut out for him. who says millionaire/billionaire investors have to be from WNY ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBob Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Ouch. Actually, this was mentioned on the pregame for tonight's game. The interesting thing is that it was segued into by Bob Costas prompting Peter King with, "there is some serious issues currently going on with the Bills ownership, Peter?" (Of course, this was a paraphrase, but they made it sound like it was something hot, new and current. King led off with a "Yes, Bob, owner Ralph Wilson wants to sell the team and Jim Kelly talked to me and told me he is currently putting a group together to buy the Bills." At first, I was kind of excited, but then realized that this has happened before when Jim gets fired up and then Ralph quickly shoots the whole thing down. So I decided not to post what I heard. It would be a major change in attitude for Ralph, and a welcome one as far as I'm concerned. But I have a feeling that Jim is probably trying to build some momentum for it in the hopes Ralph will give up his prize toy before he checks out from hotel earth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloRebound Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Actually, this was mentioned on the pregame for tonight's game. The interesting thing is that it was segued into by Bob Costas prompting Peter King with, "there is some serious issues currently going on with the Bills ownership, Peter?" (Of course, this was a paraphrase, but they made it sound like it was something hot, new and current. King led off with a "Yes, Bob, owner Ralph Wilson wants to sell the team and Jim Kelly talked to me and told me he is currently putting a group together to buy the Bills." At first, I was kind of excited, but then realized that this has happened before when Jim gets fired up and then Ralph quickly shoots the whole thing down. So I decided not to post what I heard. It would be a major change in attitude for Ralph, and a welcome one as far as I'm concerned. But I have a feeling that Jim is probably trying to build some momentum for it in the hopes Ralph will give up his prize toy before he checks out from hotel earth. You never know. Wilson seems like the chicken little type when it comes to finances. Maybe the current economic times have scared Ralph into getting serious about selling. Add the prospect of taxes being raised on capital gains for millionaires, and it kind of makes sense. A 10% increase in capital gains could mean $70-80m. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Avenger Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 who says millionaire/billionaire investors have to be from WNY ?? They don't have to be from WNY, but honestly, if they aren't, do you have any faith that the team stays in WNY for the long term? If you aren't buying the team because you want to invest in WNY I think eventually you get lured by the greener pastures elsewhere - it makes business sense to move to a bigger market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murra Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 They don't have to be from WNY, but honestly, if they aren't, do you have any faith that the team stays in WNY for the long term? If you aren't buying the team because you want to invest in WNY I think eventually you get lured by the greener pastures elsewhere - it makes business sense to move to a bigger market. He would be a member of a group led by Jim Kelly. I HIGHLY doubt kelly would ruin his legacy and let the team go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Avenger Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 He would be a member of a group led by Jim Kelly. I HIGHLY doubt kelly would ruin his legacy and let the team go. Doesn't matter one bit. They guy(s) with the money would be calling the shots. Jimbo's a great guy, but its not his coin. He can stamp his feet all he wants, but if the billionaires he assembles decide a play like L.A. is better of them they could easily make that decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murra Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Doesn't matter one bit. They guy(s) with the money would be calling the shots. Jimbo's a great guy, but its not his coin. He can stamp his feet all he wants, but if the billionaires he assembles decide a play like L.A. is better of them they could easily make that decision. What you're failing to get is that JIMBO is getting the group together to keep the Bills in Buffalo. He's nto picking up random Millionares, there is already a demand to buy the Bills and move them, JIMBO is getting people with money who will keep the Bills in Buffalo. I don't understand how you're overlooking this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I want to buy the Bills too. That doesn't mean I can. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 If everyone in New York state would send me $100 I'll buy the Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowery4 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Hey thats a good idea!! ^^^^^^ But I doubt it will float in NYC I hope Mr. Kelly can get old Raphie to give someone else a chance before he checks out. Maybe with the economy, the election and the promise of more taxes and Mr. Rodgers being put in the hospital this week is changing his gears a bit. Or maybe Jimbo got the plan more together and presented it to Ralph again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilson from Gamehendge Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 This news is so old it owes jesus a nickle. it has been mentioned and briefly talked about before. however, this article came out on sunday. things must be heating up or getting more serious in recent days/weeks. i hope it is all true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lv-Bills Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I heard Jimbo talking about the Bills future, and Toronto, and mentionong that the team needs a new stadium. If it were up to him, he said, he would put a new stadium in Niagra Falls, to tap the Canadian market (it would cut about 45 minutes off of their drive time for a game), and keep the Bills in WNY. Of course, he isists, they would still be called the Buffalo Bills. This is so stupid. I'm not against a stadium in NF or anything, but how in the fugg does it shave off 45 minutes off of their trip? I stay in Canada sometimes and make it to the stadium in like 25 minutes. Just like today. 25 minutes from NF to Buffalo isn't stopping hordes of Canadians from coming to OP for a football game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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