Wing Man Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 There are exactly 32 of these entities in the known universe and the opportunity to purchase a franchise is exceedingly rare. There's going to be a lot of interested parties. Ralph's daughters hold all the cards and they've held them close to the chest up to now and I expect they'll continue to do so until an announcement is made. RIP Ralph. Prayers for JK.
TSNBDSC Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 (edited) I think Ralph took care of us. He could have moved them a long time ago. A final gift to all of us. The Bills are stayin. Edited March 25, 2014 by tsnbd
Heels20X6 Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 (edited) As many have said, you get that text about his passing and you feel a sadness, then your stomach sinks further as you think: "What's going to happen now...?" Edited March 25, 2014 by Heels20X6
mead107 Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 Time will tell. I think we all could hold off talking about it fo a week untill the family has a chance to mourn?
McD Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 (edited) Well I found this blurp from the official website/announcement of his passing: "Right now all of us are absorbing this tremendous personal loss. We are performing our day-to-day functions as we normally would. We understand our fans curiosity in wanting to know what the future holds for our organization and that will be addressed in the near future. But at this time, we are committed to honoring the life and legacy of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., the man who delivered NFL football to Buffalo." I guess I take that as in there is some sort of plan in place which I hope is good news, but honestly right now I'm still sad at the passing of Mr Wilson... he has brought so much to Buffalo and all of WNY... my entire life as a sports fan has been dominated by the fact that he brought AND KEPT the Bills here. Win or lose, I still have NFL football to be passionate about and I owe it all to him, his family and the passion to keep the Bills here. I'm praying the Bills remain in the only city they should ever call home. Edited March 25, 2014 by McD
thebandit27 Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 Hell yes! It really is the only thing left to do
oman128 Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 This is a time to mourn and remember Mr. Wilson. Plans about the future of the Bills ( new stadiums, price increases, relocating etc) will be revealed to us in time.
rockpile Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 (edited) So... Good thing the lease just got renewed. We should have 7 years hopefully left of Bills football. Guess Ralph's will and succession plan will be known. Will JKs group still buy the team? Lots of sad news for us Bills fans, but wonder what is next... thoughts? I will respect him by keeping silent on what is next for this team/franchise, at least today. I have to admit the same thought immediately came to me too. Edited March 25, 2014 by rockpile
TSNBDSC Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 Tough times for the city and Bills fans everywhere.
papazoid Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 So... Good thing the lease just got renewed. We should have 7 years hopefully left of Bills football. Guess Ralph's will and succession plan will be known. Will JKs group still buy the team? Lots of sad news for us Bills fans, but wonder what is next... thoughts? too soon
Luxy312 Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 I hate to break hearts here but a new owner can move the team with little difficulty. This is just a case of extreme laziness and not understanding the terms of the lease. It's essentially a 7-year poison pill. ANY owner, existing or new, is still bound to the terms of the lease (which is with the team and not Ralph Wilson individually), and would require them to pay $400 million if the the team leaves in any of those first 7 years of the contract. After that, an owner would pay only a bit less than $30 million to do the same. So to the question of what's going to happen next, there will be a new owner or the family will retain ownership until someone shows interest in buying the team. In the meantime, they will still get ready for the draft and still play in free agency and business will go on as usual.
NoSaint Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 I dont suppose this could wait till say.....TOMORROW Thinking it doesnt mean you have to say it immediately....stay classy no need to make anyone feel guilty for asking, in my opinion. its natural. its not like this is a mob storming the wilson complex, its simply a message board where fans can discuss questions, and ideas. asking what happens from here is normal, and a far cry from someone demanding answers from the family which would be inappropriate in this moment
kota Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 I think people fail to realize how smart Ralph Wilson is in terms of business. There is no way this team moves after he passes. He probably had a plan 10 years ago. The guy kept the team in Buffalo and you really think his death will change that?
bills1960 Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 I think people fail to realize how smart Ralph Wilson is in terms of business. There is no way this team moves after he passes. He probably had a plan 10 years ago. The guy kept the team in Buffalo and you really think his death will change that? Bingo. I'm no tax expert but I have to believe selling the team would have either earned/saved a tremendous amount of money for his family while he was alive, but he never did it. There's a plan, gotta be.
BIllsNation Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 rapaport said that Ralph called Doug whaley 4 days ago about a Safety he thought was a 3rd or 4th round pick
coldstorage5 Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 God Bless the Wilson Family. My prayers and thoughts are with the Wilsons and the Kellys. The great State of New York will not lose its only NFL football Franchise.
KellyToTasker Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 Present day to day operations will go on. They'll pay their bills, taxes, make personnel changes, draft, market, etc. But until the "plan" is in place and presented to the community as a whole.....Those same day to day operations will have an ominous dark cloud lurking over every move. I feel it right now. I only hope that a "plan" is in place. I need, you need, we all need the Bills to stay in Buffalo. Until that day of reassurance comes.....Kick butt Buffalo. Do it for Mr. Wilson. Do it for Jim.
CodeMonkey Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 This is just a case of extreme laziness and not understanding the terms of the lease. It's essentially a 7-year poison pill. ANY owner, existing or new, is still bound to the terms of the lease (which is with the team and not Ralph Wilson individually), and would require them to pay $400 million if the the team leaves in any of those first 7 years of the contract. After that, an owner would pay only a bit less than $30 million to do the same. So to the question of what's going to happen next, there will be a new owner or the family will retain ownership until someone shows interest in buying the team. In the meantime, they will still get ready for the draft and still play in free agency and business will go on as usual. I have not seen the lease but what you say is what is widely reported so it is safe to assume it is true. But if an offer comes in for the Bills from someone that the NFL owners like, and that owner wants to move the team to a larger market that would make the NFL more money, all of the owners could throw in 13 mil to buy out the lease. They would recoup that in pretty short order in the right market. Not saying that's what will happen because like all of you, I have no idea or inside information. But burying your head in the sand because of the stadium lease doesn't make much sense to me.
thebandit27 Posted March 25, 2014 Posted March 25, 2014 Present day to day operations will go on. They'll pay their bills, taxes, make personnel changes, draft, market, etc. But until the "plan" is in place and presented to the community as a whole.....Those same day to day operations will have an ominous dark cloud lurking over every move. I feel it right now. I only hope that a "plan" is in place. I need, you need, we all need the Bills to stay in Buffalo. Until that day of reassurance comes.....Kick butt Buffalo. Do it for Mr. Wilson. Do it for Jim.
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