Bill Brasky
04-11-2006, 02:20 AM
"As I sit here today, this is not a matter of making money for the Buffalo Bills, it's a matter of survival."
Those were the words of Bills owner and president Ralph Wilson in what can best be described as an alarming Friday news conference. During his visit with media members, Wilson waxed poetic about the problems created for teams like the Bills, thanks to the NFL's recent collective bargaining agreement. This agreement seems to cater in large part to bigger-market teams in wealthy cities, while small-market clubs in less well-off cities suffer.
Recently, the league's commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, founded an eight-owner search committee, whose job will be to hammer out how revenue sharing will be distributed. Wilson is worried that these eight owners won't give enough to small-market teams like the Bills, which could lead to the team's demise.
Wilson founded the Bills 46 years ago as one of the original AFL franchises, and during that time span, the team hasn't necessarily been profoundly competitive, except for some great seasons in the '60s, '80s and '90s. However, even in those many down years, the one constant has always been the devotion of the Bills' fans, who packed into the abysmal War Memorial Stadium four decades ago, and have been selling out Ralph Wilson Stadium since its opening in the '70s.
These fans of the Bills have been steadfast in their love for the team, but many have begun to sound the signal of worry as it appears their beloved football franchise may be on the outs in Western New York. Even though the fans have constantly represented the team well and in droves, it appears the NFL has finally passed them and their city by.
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/ralph-wilson-bills100406.php
Those were the words of Bills owner and president Ralph Wilson in what can best be described as an alarming Friday news conference. During his visit with media members, Wilson waxed poetic about the problems created for teams like the Bills, thanks to the NFL's recent collective bargaining agreement. This agreement seems to cater in large part to bigger-market teams in wealthy cities, while small-market clubs in less well-off cities suffer.
Recently, the league's commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, founded an eight-owner search committee, whose job will be to hammer out how revenue sharing will be distributed. Wilson is worried that these eight owners won't give enough to small-market teams like the Bills, which could lead to the team's demise.
Wilson founded the Bills 46 years ago as one of the original AFL franchises, and during that time span, the team hasn't necessarily been profoundly competitive, except for some great seasons in the '60s, '80s and '90s. However, even in those many down years, the one constant has always been the devotion of the Bills' fans, who packed into the abysmal War Memorial Stadium four decades ago, and have been selling out Ralph Wilson Stadium since its opening in the '70s.
These fans of the Bills have been steadfast in their love for the team, but many have begun to sound the signal of worry as it appears their beloved football franchise may be on the outs in Western New York. Even though the fans have constantly represented the team well and in droves, it appears the NFL has finally passed them and their city by.
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/ralph-wilson-bills100406.php