Ralph Wilson is a Genius

[James Kelly]

the team has not been there for more than fifty years and I just thought I would point that out. that is all. it needed to be corrected

[JohnC]

I believe that under the terms of the current agreement, each team receives an equal share of league money. And also under that agreement, they are required to spend a set minimum. So as cheap as Ralph may be, he doesn't have the leeway to just stuff the league payments into his fanny pack.

 

Areas where owners can be cheap or lavish (that is, outside league mandates) include coaches salaries, scouting departments, training facilities, etc. If you're looking for evidence that Ralph is cheap, I'd suggest you nose around in those areas.

 

My point regarding Littman controlling spending is that under the new CBA teams are required to spend at least to 89% of the cap. That doesn't go into effect until 2013. So I don't expect that the Bills will greatly increase their payroll this year compared to last year. In 2013 the Bills will be required to substantially increase their payroll.

 

the team has not been there for more than fifty years and I just thought I would point that out. that is all. it needed to be corrected

 

The Bills began play in the AFL in 1960. The AFL merged with the NFL in 1970. Your calculation is different from mine.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Bills

[QCity]

"He bought the team in 1959 for an absolutely ridiculous $25,000. Forbes' 2011 NFL valuation estimated the Bills' worth at $792 million. He has no stadium debt.

 

Daniel Snyder bought the Washington Redskins in 1999 for $750 million. Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys for $150 million in 1989. However, Jones is on the hook for $200 million in debt from his new stadium.

 

All that really puts Wilson's unheard of profit into perspective."

 

This paragraph is hysterical. Did he write that article with a crayon?

Edited February 22, 2012 by QCity

[Webster Guy]

What's new or insightful about the story? Ralph has owned this franchise for more than half a century. His business model is the same as when he started. His cumulative record for his team is a losing record. His football decisions, especially his hires have been stunningly bad. Tell us something we don't already know.

 

The writer of the article seems to be very frustrated that an owner in his 90s doesn't seem to exhibit an urgency to win, especially at this stage of his life. The writer needs to face the reality that the owner has a different perspective on what it means to own a franchise. For him it is a lucrative business venture, nothing more.

 

The owner is not going to sell because every year he takes home a substantial profit and every year the team appreciates. From a business standpoint why would he sell? He is going to squeeze the piggy until there is nothing to squeeze.

 

Ralph is 94 years old and has a net worth that is north of 1/2 billion dollars. Are you seriously going to sit here and say the Bills are nothing more than a lucrative business for him? "nothing more" Maybe you know him personally, but if you don't you're assuming Ralph would rather make more money that he would never spend in 5 generations or finally win a championship before he dies. If you think he'd rather have 10 or 20 million more in the bank than win a championship you're crazy.

 

Yes we've let a few players walk over money that we shouldn't have, but so have a lot of NFL teams including the two super bowl teams this year. One of which we beat and the other we damn near beat.

 

I fault the guy for his lack of a succession plan and how he nudges his GM's into drafting running backs early and often, but I think he wants to win as badly as anyone in the NFL, maybe more than most because it's eluded him for so long. Its not just about throwing money at players or hiring Shanahan or Gruden or Cowher or Fisher.

 

He's put a good coach on the field and a good GM in the front office (finally) Give the old bastard a break.....