Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

[Dr. Lecter]

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills could identify a new owner within three months, leading Gov. Andrew Cuomo's stepping up the state's efforts to secure the franchise's long-term future in the region.

A person familiar with the sale process told The Associated Press on Saturday there is an anticipation that the Bills' could be sold by July, and the sale approved by NFL owners as early as the league's meetings in October. The same person and another person also told the AP that at least one prospective ownership group has already toured potential new stadium locations in Buffalo.

Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the sale process has not been made public.

The person would not identify which ownership group toured the city, what sites were viewed or who provided the tour.

The Bills' future in Buffalo is uncertain after team owner and founder Ralph Wilson died in March. Wilson's estate is in the process of hiring an investment banking firm that would oversee the sale of the team, which is expected to go to the highest bidder.

The updated timetable has led Cuomo to speed up the state's involvement in protecting its interests in preventing the Bills from relocating. The state intends to hire a consulting firm over the next week to produce a report within three months that would be issued to prospective owners. The report would identify potential stadium sites and outline public financing options that would be made available.

http://www.tsn.ca/nfl/story/?id=451136

[Dr. Lecter]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

Here is what I think is happening and has happened, based on the stories that have been out there, the way the lease was structured and the way people have been acting.

Before Ralph died, a group or owner was identified and was basically selected and in place to buy the team when it was time. That is why the lease was structured the way it was, to scare away other owners (for reasons Cookie G described). This group is now moving forward. The speed in which this seems to be happening is not something that would be happening if things were not set up before the process actually started.

If this does happen that fast, all of the people who said Ralph died and did nothing to ensure that the Bills stay here damn well better be offering mea culpas.

[Skooby]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

Milstein wouldn't need to tour his ground, so we know that this one group mentioned isn't him.

[DynaPaul]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

And we know it isn't Trump.

[The Popcorn]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

Thurman Thomas has been quiet. Wasn't he part of a group that was interested?

[BertSquirtgum]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

If this is true it's obvious that Ralph did have a succession plan and all of his haters can go **** themselves.

[Raptor]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

So in 90 days we could already have another owner in place ready for approval, and one that wants to keep the team in Buffalo

Almost like the guy had a plan in place and then took it a step further and built in some safety nets to the lease in case something went wrong

long story short, take everything Spiked theorized happened, make it the exact opposite, and you have the reality of what is actually happening

[WagonCircler]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

long story short, take everything Spiked theorized happened, make it the exact opposite, and you have the reality of what is actually happening

You can apply that formula to pretty much every situation, ever.

[gr8slayer]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

I don't care who buys the team, I just want my Bills to stay in Buffalo at all costs.

[coastal]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

C'mon. This totally sucks.

the long drawn out drama-a-thon to decide whether this **** team stayed or went would have been years of pure, unadulterated dysfunctional family fun!!!!

once again... Buffalo sports fans have been totally cheated.

I'm done!

[Figster]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

Tim Graham @ByTimGraham 1m Tom Golisano meets with Russ Brandon as intrigue over Bills ownership grows http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/golisano-and-brandon-have-dinner-as-intrigue-over-bills-ownership-grows-20140503 …
Expand

[Bill Cody]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

Here is what I think is happening and has happened, based on the stories that have been out there, the way the lease was structured and the way people have been acting.

Before Ralph died, a group or owner was identified and was basically selected and in place to buy the team when it was time. That is why the lease was structured the way it was, to scare away other owners (for reasons Cookie G described). This group is now moving forward. The speed in which this seems to be happening is not something that would be happening if things were not set up before the process actually started.

If this does happen that fast, all of the people who said Ralph died and did nothing to ensure that the Bills stay here damn well better be offering mea culpas.

I don"t think anyone has been basically selected. The lease may indeed scare out of town bidders away but beyond that there are going to be sealed bids and the highest bidder will win. The article says exactly that. And Ralph said exactly that. Just because the sale is moving along tells us nothing about the potential buyer.

[BuffaloRedleg]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

Here is what I think is happening and has happened, based on the stories that have been out there, the way the lease was structured and the way people have been acting.

Before Ralph died, a group or owner was identified and was basically selected and in place to buy the team when it was time. That is why the lease was structured the way it was, to scare away other owners (for reasons Cookie G described). This group is now moving forward. The speed in which this seems to be happening is not something that would be happening if things were not set up before the process actually started.

If this does happen that fast, all of the people who said Ralph died and did nothing to ensure that the Bills stay here damn well better be offering mea culpas.

I think they'll be more than happy to. Just like the guys who are down on Manuel... I'd literally eat a live crow Ozzy Osbourne style if that is what it took or was my punishment.

[YardRat]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

I don"t think anyone has been basically selected. The lease may indeed scare out of town bidders away but beyond that there are going to be sealed bids and the highest bidder will win. The article says exactly that. And Ralph said exactly that. Just because the sale is moving along tells us nothing about the potential buyer.

Actually, I don't think it does. This is what it says...

"...the sale process has not been made public..."

and...

"...Wilson's estate is in the process of hiring an investment banking firm that would oversee the sale of the team, which is expected to go to the highest bidder."

The first two points...non-public disclosure of the process and hiring an investment firm to oversee the sale, are facts. Going to the highest bidder is speculation, as evidenced by the use of the phrase "is expected".

[Mace]

Re: Bills Could Identify New Owner in Three Months

I don"t think anyone has been basically selected. The lease may indeed scare out of town bidders away but beyond that there are going to be sealed bids and the highest bidder will win. The article says exactly that. And Ralph said exactly that. Just because the sale is moving along tells us nothing about the potential buyer.

No no, by making Mary the interim owner, the team does not default to estate, estate needs sell to highest bidder, untaxed Mary, a private owner, could sell it to Lloyd's Taco truck with NFL approval, has no bearing on estate executor, which is Littman who needs see assets to highest bidder.

Ralph did this right. Thank you Mr. Wilson, a parting gift.