Archives for September 2014

‘Tears of joy were flowing in Bills Nation, and the collective sigh of relief must have felt like a nor’easter blowing through the region because if the Pegulas do indeed gain control, then the Bills won’t be going anywhere, perhaps for generations to come.’

‘From the specter of rocker Jon Bon Jovi buying them team and moving it to Toronto to Donald Trump buying the team and turning it into a reality TV show to the deep-pocketed, sports-crazed, energetic Pegulas who already own the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres buying the team and keeping it in Buffalo for generations to come … could there have been a better outcome to nearly six months of worry and speculation?’

‘According to Daniel Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal, Terry and Kim Pegula have agreed to purchase the Bills for $1.4B, which is $300 million more than Stephen Ross paid for the Miami Dolphins back in 2009.’

‘Pegula IS Buffalo. He IS a Bills fan. He’s one of YOU. The man tailgated in the parking lots of Ralph Wilson Stadium (then named Rich Stadium) right alongside you.’

‘Kim Pegula will be making decisions: Tim Graham of the Buffalo News has reported that Kim Pegula was the driving force behind the Pegulas purchasing the Buffalo Bills in many ways. Graham also said she will be making executive decisions when it comes to the Bills.’

‘”I am so happy to hear that the Pegulas will be the new owners of the Buffalo Bills,” Kelly said in a statement. “It’s an exciting day for Western New York. As I’ve said for many years, my first and foremost concern has been ensuring that, when this time came, the team would stay in Buffalo. Terry and Kim Pegula have done a lot for our community; their commitment to Buffalo and Western New York is second to none.”‘

‘On Tuesday afternoon, Trump released a congratulatory statement via Adam Benigni of WGRZ in Buffalo. Trump and Bon Jovi both sent out messages of congratulations on Tuesday, and Bills fans got their wish. The Pegulas will be the owners of the Bills, and the team isn’t going anywhere.’

‘Bon Jovi was gracious in defeat. Maybe Bills fans will forgive him now, but it could take some time before his songs are played at Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘The Buffalo Bills reportedly worked out Sammy Watkins’ old quarterback on Tuesday.’

‘Preston Brown played every snap: Rookie linebacker Preston Brown was the only player to play every snap on defense for the Bills. With Nigel Bradham suspended, the rookie third-round pick got his chance to shine. There were positives (a fumble recovery) and negatives (a blown coverage on Cutler’s first touchdown pass) but overall, the experience should help him moving forward.’

‘The community owes much thanks to Wilson as well. He demonstrated his commitment to the Western New York community for decades as Bills owner. He helped work with Erie County to develop a lease for Ralph Wilson Stadium that made it more difficult for any outside investor to buy the team and move it away. He also left the franchise in the hands of a trust that included his wife, Mary, and other key advisors who seemed to respect his desire to keep the team in the Buffalo area beyond the bidding process.’

‘For as long as I’ve been able to understand what the Bills mean to this community and in my own life there’s been a doomsday scenario looming. There would come a time after Wilson died when someone in a board room somewhere would decide whether some carpetbagger would take the Bills away to a richer, more glamorous place where they could never be loved the way we love them here.’

‘The bottom line is, once Pegula receives the NFL’s approval, the Bills are here to stay. The cynics, pessimists and worry-warts can calm down. The sale could settle well before Sunday’s home opener, setting up an unbelievable celebration as the improbably 1-0 Bills return to Ralph Wilson Stadium.’

‘The Bills thus won’t be relocating to Canada’s most populous city — the prospect of which surprisingly few Torontonians seemed to give a buffalo’s butt about since the spring.’