Bills owner not eager to add extra regular-season games in Toronto

Bills owner Ralph Wilson told the AP on Sunday that there are no current plans to expand Buffalo's presence in Toronto beyond one regular season game per season.

4 months ago Brian Galliford 11 comments 0 recs |

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This story was over on FanShots.....what happened to it?

I had already commented on this but I guess I need to do it again. The title of this is misleading because it makes it sound like Ralf really is not interested in more games. But later on he says

“I’m sure they want another game. And who knows?” Wilson said in an interview conducted at his home outside Detroit. “I don’t know whether they’ll get another game or not. We’ll have to see how it works out up there.”

Gives me a different feel that the title. The good news is

“We’re doing this to keep the team (in Buffalo),” Wilson said. “I could see why people think that this is just the first step of moving the team. But they don’t realize how difficult it is to compete against the Cowboys and all these new stadiums.”

Looks like the Bills will be in WNY until Ralf dies anyway. After that, let’s hope “We” includes the new owner and he thinks the same way.

The Prayer of Pass Rush - Hail Maybin, blessed with a quick first step, Bruce is with thee; most reverenced art thou among DEs in the AFC, and blessed be the fruit of thy pass rush. Holy Lord, Father of the swim move, we pray for our QB hurries to be numerous and our sacks to be plentiful. Be with us in Victory and at the hour of our Defeat. Amen.

by Joe P. on Jun 29, 2009 9:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Meant to reassure us, I suppose

But the fact remains that our intrepid owner is nonegenerian, with no clear successor and the stated intention of the family to SELL THE TEAM. At 91, Ralph cannot play out this drama much longer.

A new owner would be wise to keep the team in a location with a devoted fan base. Nothing like those TV images of the Ralph with 75,000 screaming maniacs cheering on the Bills. Put just an average team on the field, and you’re selling 56,000 season tickets. Imagine what he could make if the Bills are even just competitive.

But a prospective new owner would also have to look at what he stands to make in WNY, compared to a new location, presumably with a new stadium. Nobody plunks down $750 mil just for the fun of owning a sports franchise. There are a lot of guys out there with the money and the ego who could potentially want to buy an NFL franchise with the intention of moving it to a city where there actually is some economic vitality and the potential to make more money.

by Defensewinsgames on Jun 29, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ralph

Do something

I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying

by J2 on Jun 29, 2009 10:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

like sell the team now?

so we dont have any fears as to what is gonna happen? i dont understand why he wont do this, i understand he wants to be the owner, hes owned it for decades and blah blah blah. but right now he should know the best thing is to find a buyer or buyers that are going to keep the franchise in buffalo!

Bills make me wanna SHOUT!

by silverstreak3k on Jun 29, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's not the best thing for his family.

It’s the best thing for you and me. Why would he take an offer that was 100 million worse than an offer from an outsider? He has consistently said that the team will go to the highest bidder once he is gone. Can you fault him for that? Can you fault him for telling his family to take the money and run? He has been here 50 years!

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Jun 29, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can you fault him for that?

no – but I think that he could do something to help keep the team here. Maybe he has – but I haven’t heard anything.

Plus – his family is going to be fine – regardless their going to get over 500 milllion and probably closer to 800 million for the team. They should be just fine – thats not including what ever personal investments and assets he has.

I really don’t think its about money for his family – I think its his team for over 50 years and he doesn’t want to let that go.

Maybe he wants to be the only owner of the Bills – I don’t know. But I do know that it seems he isn’t doing a ton to keep the team in Buffalo. I’d say the fans are doing a lot by still purchasing tickets and merchandise as fast as they can. Hopefully that’ll keep the team here.

Little peace of mind for us fellow Bills fans isn’t much to ask

I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying

by J2 on Jun 30, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not like he's a Buffalo native...

and looking to keep the team in Buffalo at all costs. He’s from Detroit. After 50 years I don’t think he owes Buffalo anything. I’d love to keep the Bills here forever.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Jun 30, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well I think your wrong that he doesn’t owe Buffalo anything. Clearly the Buffalo fanbase has helped him build his franchise. The Bills fans are almost always on his side and we’ve done everything we can to help ensure his franchise stay successful and profitable. Clearly its a win/win type of scenario in that regard.

I don’t think Detriot has anything to do with it either. He has said and obviously his actions speak louder than words up until recently that he wants the Bills where they are. As such, why hasn’t he taken the necessary steps in succession planning? Maybe he has and we don’t know. Succession planning is a major part of a business when key pieces are nearing the end of their term with those businesses. Clearly the Bills don’t have to stay in WNY to be successful – but giving back to the area that has funded his franchise and grown it to what it is today would be a give in at this point.

why hasn’t he at least done something? does he just not care? is it really just about money?

I don’t get it – obviously nothing that is stated here will probably make me understand what his thought process is. But I wonder what his thought processes are to the fans and the people that have worked for him for years that live in WNY and how he wants to be remembered by them – or what he wants to do to give back to them. I think once you reach a certain level of success in which a specific area helped you achieve your business goals you would have some sort of level of dedication or loyalness to them. I just don’t see it unfortunately.

I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying

by J2 on Jun 30, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It all comes down to marketing the team

That’s what this really is all about, regionalizing the fanbase, netting more $$$ for the franchise.

Ralph has been quite loyal to Western NY for 50 years. He will fight to keep the games in the Ralph as long as he’s still alive and kicking.

You can start worrying when Mr. Wilson passes away if you want. Ultimately, the decision isn’t ours to make (other than voting at the ticket booth).

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Jun 29, 2009 1:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

repost

posted this story yesterday

Marino invited ex-Bills QB Jim Kelly to his retirement bash at then-Pro Player Stadium in 2000. Kelly grabbed the mike, surveyed the joint and said, "We used to call this Rich Stadium South."

by y2bianchi on Jun 29, 2009 2:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs