Bills are not going to be moving now......

[Mitchy moo]

There is no way someone lays out $1 Billion roun trip for a NFL team to move. The corporations are going broke, people have cut way back on everything and ultra weathy are standing around waiting. 51% of the people in NY state are on some kind of public assistance state or federal.

You can look to Toronto but their dollar value has dropped drastically and the whole state is way behind the 8 ball. Gov. Arnold in CA is $43 Billion in the whole and I can safely say that they are not going to be looking to relocate a NFL team.

Welcome back home to the Buffalo Bills and the new owners, who buy the team for $500 Million or less from RW / family whenever that happens.

[tat2dmike77]

Toronto showed they could care less about NFL football 2 weeks ago.

[LtFinFan66]

If the Bills are meant to move.....they will

[RandolphDuke]

When cities are hurting for revenue and growth, they tend to bend over backwards to lure businesses and pro sports teams. Stadiums and crazy tax incentives aren't out of the question.

I don't see the Bills making the playoffs under the current ownership.

Ralph is one good sneeze away from meeting his maker (no offense), so who knows.

[Mitchy moo]

If the Bills are meant to move.....they will

In a recession, teams don't move that often. This is a odd time for many people, in many places & that lends credence to my opinion.

[LtFinFan66]

See my above post

[Goobylal]

There is no way someone lays out $1 Billion roun trip for a NFL team to move. The corporations are going broke, people have cut way back on everything and ultra weathy are standing around waiting. 51% of the people in NY state are on some kind of public assistance state or federal.

You can look to Toronto but their dollar value has dropped drastically and the whole state is way behind the 8 ball. Gov. Arnold in CA is $43 Billion in the whole and I can safely say that they are not going to be looking to relocate a NFL team.

Welcome back home to the Buffalo Bills and the new owners, who buy the team for $500 Million or less from RW / family whenever that happens.
Bingo. The Toronto deal is as dead as Ted Rogers. And not only will no team offer to build a new stadium (no current non-NFL city has an NFL-ready stadium) for Ralph, they won't pay the $250-300M Ralph would demand for the NFL relocation fee.

[Mitchy moo]

Bingo. The Toronto deal is as dead as Ted Rogers. And not only will no team offer to build a new stadium (no current non-NFL city has an NFL-ready stadium) for Ralph, they won't pay the $250-300M Ralph would demand for the NFL relocation fee.

No way, not $300 Million in a recession + the cost of the team / stadium. The latest horrible news keeps the team in Buffalo. The Detroit lions are more likely to move now than us.

[tat2dmike77]

If the Bills are meant to move.....they will

And i will never root for anther NFL team again if the Bills do move.

[jamze132]

If the Bills are meant to move.....they will
Who the **** are you, the oracle?



Sorry, I just watched the Matrix trilogy...

[tat2dmike77]

There is no way someone lays out $1 Billion roun trip for a NFL team to move. The corporations are going broke, people have cut way back on everything and ultra weathy are standing around waiting. 51% of the people in NY state are on some kind of public assistance state or federal.

You can look to Toronto but their dollar value has dropped drastically and the whole state is way behind the 8 ball. Gov. Arnold in CA is $43 Billion in the whole and I can safely say that they are not going to be looking to relocate a NFL team.

Welcome back home to the Buffalo Bills and the new owners, who buy the team for $500 Million or less from RW / family whenever that happens.
poor people rule

[jamze132]

And i will never root for anther NFL team again if the Bills do move.
:rockon:

I agree. If we ever moved, I'd start watching gay ass soccer or something...

[Goobylal]

No way, not $300 Million in a recession + the cost of the team / stadium. The latest horrible news keeps the team in Buffalo. The Detroit lions are more likely to move now than us.
Well, the new city wouldn't have to pay for the team. Whether it's Ralph or a new owner looking to move, either would demand that the new city pay the relo fee at least, and that's no chump change. But as I said, there are no non-NFL cities with NFL-ready stadiums, so he'd need a new stadium built. Ain't gonna happen.

[Historian]

And look at Jacksonville.

That franchise is a mess. They can't even fill the Gator Bowl on opening day.

[Mr. Pink]

In a recession, teams don't move that often. This is a odd time for many people, in many places & that lends credence to my opinion.

They don't?

Explain the Raiders moving in 81 then.

How about the Hawks and Bucs getting expansion franchises in the late 70s?

And the economy wasn't all that great when the Colts left Baltimore for Indy either.

[Mr. Pink]

Well, the new city wouldn't have to pay for the team. Whether it's Ralph or a new owner looking to move, either would demand that the new city pay the relo fee at least, and that's no chump change. But as I said, there are no non-NFL cities with NFL-ready stadiums, so he'd need a new stadium built. Ain't gonna happen.

LA has the Mausoleum that a team could play at for a couple years til new digs were built.

[THE END OF ALL DAYS]

51% of the people in NY state are on some kind of public assistance state or federal.

Now where did you get that statistic? I dont for a moment believe that. Maybe in NYC but for the state? And how are you qualifying "public assistance"? I dont necissarily disagree with your premiss... just not for a moment buying the 51% stat... show me the proof!

[Mitchy moo]

Who the **** are you, the oracle?



Of Ohio.

[Mitchy moo]

They don't?

Explain the Raiders moving in 81 then.

How about the Hawks and Bucs getting expansion franchises in the late 70s?

And the economy wasn't all that great when the Colts left Baltimore for Indy either.

Was the death of the owner a motivating factor in any of those moves?? What was the tax situation for the heirs?? Were the teams profitable then?? Was there a $250 M-$300 M fee for the move?

[Mitchy moo]

51% of the people in NY state are on some kind of public assistance state or federal.



Social security & all related benefits is federal assistance, FYI.

[ddaryl]

the economy tanking might just be the Bills saving grace. Buffalo is already beat down, and the Bills are already priced for the area. I don't see many cities bending over backwards when they are going need to be paying alot more attention to their citizens needs

[X-Era]

They don't?

Explain the Raiders moving in 81 then.

How about the Hawks and Bucs getting expansion franchises in the late 70s?

And the economy wasn't all that great when the Colts left Baltimore for Indy either.
It was 82 and not 81 and they moved what 5 hours away within the same state?

If the Bills moved to Albany, they would still be my team.

Besides, no NFL team has moved due to an owner dying.

[Mr. Pink]

It was 82 and not 81 and they moved what 5 hours away within the same state?

If the Bills moved to Albany, they would still be my team.

Besides, no NFL team has moved due to an owner dying.

True to a point.

Georgia Frontierre moved the Rams from LA to Anaheim following the death of Carroll Rosenbloom.

So it would be like if Ralph dies and his family gets the team, they decide to play in Niagara Falls for a while.

[Mr. Pink]

Oh yeah...Davis tried to move the Raiders in 1980...and wasn't allowed...he got federal approval by filing an anti trust suit.

[Bill Brasky]

did everyone magically go broke all of the sudden. just becuase the country is in a recession, doesn't mean 99% of the population is dead broke. stop being so dramatic. if the team moves, it moves. why do we have to endure post after post after post EVERY DAY on the same subject. let it be.

[Historian]

Amen Brasky.

[HHURRICANE]

did everyone magically go broke all of the sudden. just becuase the country is in a recession, doesn't mean 99% of the population is dead broke. stop being so dramatic. if the team moves, it moves. why do we have to endure post after post after post EVERY DAY on the same subject. let it be.

Actually Skoob is right on this one.

The bad economy is actually a help to the Bills.

The key will be to see how other teams fair in selling luxury boxes etc. because a new owner has to be somewhat confident that they can actually generate long term revenue and profits.

I believe that NO and Jacksonville are better flight risks than the Bills.

[ddaryl]

did everyone magically go broke all of the sudden. just becuase the country is in a recession, doesn't mean 99% of the population is dead broke. stop being so dramatic. if the team moves, it moves. why do we have to endure post after post after post EVERY DAY on the same subject. let it be.


Have you checked you're 401K lately ?? This isn't your typical recession !!!!

some of us are still working, but layoffs are coming at my work place in january and bigger cuts are planned thoughout the year.

Those that find new jobs are not getting equal benefits or pay in 99% of the cases, and are adjusting their lifestyles.... Just wait until the Xmas shopping data comes back, its going to be extremely bad and we will see more bankruptcies

The auto industry will be laying off significant amounts, and the trickle down effect will be felt nation wide.

Rich folk are getting hammered in the stock market, and many companies are reducing or cancelling dividends and the worst is still ahead for this country....

Banks are not financing anything right now either. I seriously doubt a bank is going to finanace a billion $$$ football team as conditions deteriorate.

Is it really worth it in these conditions to try and buy a team for $800 million, spend the 300 million relocation fee, and then fund the rest of the relocation... Is it worth it for any city to fund a new stadium when every state is feeling the tax pinch and has to prioritize there budgets....


I agree the economic downturn benefits the Bills staying.

[Jan Reimers]

Have you checked you're 401K lately ?? This isn't your typical recession !!!!

some of us are still working, but layoffs are coming at my work place in january and bigger cuts are planned thoughout the year.

Those that find new jobs are not getting equal benefits or pay in 99% of the cases, and are adjusting their lifestyles.... Just wait until the Xmas shopping data comes back, its going to be extremely bad and we will see more bankruptcies

The auto industry will be laying off significant amounts, and the trickle down effect will be felt nation wide.

Rich folk are getting hammered in the stock market, and many companies are reducing or cancelling dividends and the worst is still ahead for this country....

Banks are not financing anything right now either. I seriously doubt a bank is going to finanace a billion $$$ football team as conditions deteriorate.

Is it really worth it in these conditions to try and buy a team for $800 million, spend the 300 million relocation fee, and then fund the rest of the relocation... Is it worth it for any city to fund a new stadium when every state is feeling the tax pinch and has to prioritize there budgets....


I agree the economic downturn benefits the Bills staying.
I agree. It is difficult in the best of economic times to take on the kind of debt that comes with moving an NFL franchise. An $800 million sale price, a $200-$300 million NFL relocation fee, and a new stadium (which almost any prospective acquiring city would need) would result in close to a $2 billion price tag. Much of that would be accrued as debt.

In an uncertain economy, where many potential corporate sponsors and luxury seat purchasers are tightening their belts, this kind of debt becomes an unacceptable risk and a deal-breaking burden.

Sale of the Bills to a local entity would come with much less debt, and a proven level of revenue which, while not great, is much less risky than a move.

[Mitchy moo]

Actually Skoob is right on this one.

The bad economy is actually a help to the Bills.

The key will be to see how other teams fair in selling luxury boxes etc. because a new owner has to be somewhat confident that they can actually generate long term revenue and profits.

I believe that NO and Jacksonville are better flight risks than the Bills.

Much higher flight risk indeed. Bills are staying local one way or the other. I see them building a new stadium by the falls / casinos and make it a play ground for adults. It will end up drawing money in from Canada / central NY. Access is the key and Orchard Park is left field geographically.

[Mitchy moo]

did everyone magically go broke all of the sudden. just becuase the country is in a recession, doesn't mean 99% of the population is dead broke. stop being so dramatic. if the team moves, it moves. why do we have to endure post after post after post EVERY DAY on the same subject. let it be.

Everyone lost money in this one BB, it's not making the rich / richer like usual.

[Goobylal]

Sure some people are still making money. The point is that Ralph or a new owner would demand at least the (NFL's) relocation fee of about $250-300M, before he'd even consider moving. Then he'd probably want one of those new state-of-the-art stadiums. What (untapped) county is going to pay at least $250M to allow a rich owner to move his team there in this economy? The answer is: none.

And true FTY, LA has a stadium (the Coliseum). But it's a hole and the Bills' owner would DEFINITELY demand a new stadium, as well as the relo fee.

The Jags will move before the Bills do, if even. They had an apathetic fan base when they were winning, and now that they suck, it will only get worse. But where would they go? It's the same situation for them.

Toronto had the most realistic chance of happening. Torontonians made up a good portion of gameday fans and Ted Rogers had the money and the drive to go after the team, as well as to stand-up to the CFL. Without a frontman of his stature and the backlash we've seen, not to mention possible legal action by the CFL should the Bills go there, the deal is dead.

[Billscusey]

Wow, sure is sad when you think that the Bills might stay in Buffalo not because Buffalo can in any way support them, but because any other city or owner couldn't make the move right now. Doesn't exactly fill me with confidence for the future of the Bills in B-LO.

[Goobylal]

Wow, sure is sad when you think that the Bills might stay in Buffalo not because Buffalo can in any way support them, but because any other city or owner couldn't make the move right now. Doesn't exactly fill me with confidence for the future of the Bills in B-LO.
The city and new owner can afford them. But what you'll see is (slightly) higher prices and a cheap GM and coach still, and a much cheaper roster.

[Night Train]

If anything, the Bills and several other teams will go out of business, reducing the NFL to 24-26 teams.

They're should have been a hard cap around 70 Mil years back. Now it's out of hand.

[Goobylal]

If anything, the Bills and several other teams will go out of business, reducing the NFL to 24-26 teams.

They're should have been a hard cap around 70 Mil years back. Now it's out of hand.
Things will settle-out. TV money will decrease, thus so will the salary cap. And franchise values will decline.

[trapezeus]

look at the bloomberg article a couple days ago on how the giants stadium financing is going.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ahvlUY.L7854

it sounds like their difficulties are league wide.