Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

[Devin]

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Amid fears the Buffalo Bills could relocate to Toronto, billionaire Tom Golisano has had numerous discussions about purchasing the franchise and keeping it in the community.

"I've talked to all kinds of people, and I'm not going to say anything beyond that," the Buffalo Sabres owner said Saturday in reiterating his interest in the Bills should the team be put up for sale.

Golisano, who lives in Rochester, declined to say who has approached him or when those discussions occurred.

Golisano was careful to note that Bills owner Ralph Wilson has maintained he has no intention of selling the franchise. The concern is what happens after Wilson dies because the 89-year-old has no plans to keep the team within his family.

"I realize what the issue is. I think I realize how important that organization is to the Buffalo area," Golisano told The Associated Press. "And I'll say the same thing I've said before: If the situation arises, I would do what I can to try to keep the team in the area."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8069a59d&template=without-video&confirm=true

[blackonyx89]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=090...o&confirm=true

Good to hear, but wait and see what happens.

[Mitchy moo]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

Good to hear, but wait and see what happens.

5 years or RIP ralph, whichever comes first.

[gr8slayer]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

I'll believe it when I see it. Is the the kind of owner who's willing to do what it takes to put a winner on the field?

[Devin]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

I dont know lol, if I remember right it was quite the debacle last year with the sabres retaining FA's.

[Buffatexas]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

I'll believe it when I see it. Is the the kind of owner who's willing to do what it takes to put a winner on the field?

Well I think it goes beyond having an owner that is willing to do what it takes. I would like to think that every owner has that intention, just that some, like our own, puts his faith in the wrong people and sometimes just makes bad decisions and gets involved when he shouldnt and doesnt when he should.

First and foremost, I want this team to stay in Buffalo, the championship can come later. I certainly do not want what happened to the Browns to happen to us. Go to B'more and win a SB.

I want a championship, not a perenial contender. We were that in the 90's. Dan Snyder tries to field that team every year and fails, Marc Cuban tried and failed, Whoever owns Ottawa has tried and failed. Golisano has tried and failed (thus far) Cuban obviously being the most consistent as far as fielding a competitive squad.

My knock on Golisano is the people he put in place to run the team. I know the difference between hockey and football is a mile wide so I really do not want to assume that Tommy would put or not put the right people in place.

I do want an SB win, but I will also be content knowing that there is an owner who is keeping the team in Buffalo first.

[JD]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

The earlier he passes on, the better the chances for the Bills to stay in Buffalo. Once we begin playing in Toronto, more Toronto buyers would jump in the mix. I dont wish anyone to die, just saying.

[Mitchy moo]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

The earlier he passes on, the better the chances for the Bills to stay in Buffalo. Once we begin playing in Toronto, more Toronto buyers would jump in the mix. I dont wish anyone to die, just saying.

[YardRat]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

I'll believe it when I see it. Is the the kind of owner who's willing to do what it takes to put a winner on the field?

He's restricted by the same economic factors that Ralph is so unless that changes I wouldn't expect different results.

[gr8slayer]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

He's restricted by the same economic factors that Ralph is so unless that changes I wouldn't expect different results.

Then I'm not that interested. There's no point in having a team if you aren't ever going to win or get serious about winning.

[YardRat]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

Then I'm not that interested. There's no point in having a team if you aren't ever going to win.

Hopefully...

1. The attempt to draw Canadian dollars into Orchard Park is successful.

2. NYS and Erie County can actually do something to draw industry and business to the area and bring more jobs, more people, and more disposable income.

3. The owners of the NFL get their collective heads out of their ignorant, greedy asses and correct the mistakes they made with the last CBA while also reverting to a revenue sharing policy that more closely resembles the original model.

[User Manuel]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

It is all good till Larry Quinn is the team president...

[JD]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

I dont see it as an attempt to draw canadian money into orchard park, its more like advertising the Bills to potential buyers in an unfamiliar market. Scary stuff

[patmoran2006]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

I'll believe it when I see it. Is the the kind of owner who's willing to do what it takes to put a winner on the field?

No.
He's a very absentee owner, at least with the Sabres. The Sabres have been run of late very much like the Bills, possibly even worse. They let Drury, Briere and Zubrus walk away for nothing. Campbell's days are numbers, so on and so on.

Part of his problem is hiring (again) Larry Quinn as president.. It's very frustrating trying to be a Sabres fan.

Having said that, Golisano I think is legitimiately committed to keeping the team in BUFFALO. That's better than nothing.

If he ever owned the Bills, he would HAVE to hire a top notch GM, not these clowns like Guy, Brandon and Overdorf.

[HHURRICANE]

Re: Sabres Owner reiterates interest in purchasing Bills

I like how the Bills have to save Buffalo.