Agreed, i was referring more to the bigger picture about there motives to move the team. Even if it winds up being true, slim chance they beat out pegula and even slimmer that they find a way to move the team up north.
- Sabresfan-365

Yeah, (frank) those guys.

I'm seriously not even a huge Bills fan. It's just so important to the region, at least psychologically - and if things keep moving forward in the city the way they have been the last 5 years, it's one more opportunity to showcase all the good stuff happening around here - maybe even be a part of it with a downtown stadium.

Agreed, i was referring more to the bigger picture about there motives to move the team. Even if it winds up being true, slim chance they beat out pegula and even slimmer that they find a way to move the team up north.
- Sabresfan-365

Exactly. The lease took care of that problem for at least a decade. They didn't say anything new, other than uncover another name in the Rogers group, which is essentially irrelevant.

Exactly. The lease took care of that problem for at least a decade. They didn't say anything new, other than uncover another name in the Rogers group, which is essentially irrelevant.
- buffalofan19

Ultimately, having people need to publicly back off the idea of moving the team is a good thing. It's really helpful having "oh no, no no never!" be the frame of the conversation.

Better than Hanifan?
Im all for another team picking a d man so thats one more forward for us
- hubie

Personally I think so, but really you could argue either way here. Kylington got that edge to his game and extra gear that gives him the kind of game breaking ability that someone like Subban has. But I think Hanifin has the edge in skating ability, perhaps even the best in draft.

Ultimately, having people need to publicly back off the idea of moving the team is a good thing. It's really helpful having "oh no, no no never!" be the frame of the conversation.
- nfph

Fair enough, but my point is that "we" ultimately have no say as to whether this team moves or not. If the NFL wants the team out of here and in Toronto, it will figure out a way to do it. Even if Pegula wins the bid, for example, the NFL board of governors could disapprove of him as an owner. I don't think they will (I think the Robert Krafts and the Jerry Jones' of the world don't mind having an "aw shucks" type of owner who isn't inclined to but heads with them as they move forward with their plans for the league like Ralph Wilson did), but the bottom line is the NFL's opinion isn't going to be swayed because of a group of self-proclaimed local watchdogs.

Exactly. The lease took care of that problem for at least a decade. They didn't say anything new, other than uncover another name in the Rogers group, which is essentially irrelevant.
- buffalofan19

I'd need to hear some fairly earth shattering news before I really fear that possibility. Shy of leaked documents saying the NFL would help them out, I'm not sure what they could do.

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/bills-fan-group-says-documents-show-bon-jovi-group-has-plans-to-move-team-20140814

Since when did this "Buffalo Fan Alliance" become a group that the NFL or anybody important, for that matter, would even begin to think about taking seriously?
- buffalofan19

You had to believe in the power of Buffalo that people wouldn't sit back and just allow whatever to happen.

You had to believe in the power of Buffalo that people wouldn't sit back and just allow whatever to happen.
- Buffalo-Sabres

See above. Nothing the "fanbase" says or does is going to sway the process. It's going to fall on deaf ears when it comes to the people that matter.

Fair enough, but my point is that "we" ultimately have no say as to whether this team moves or not. If the NFL wants the team out of here and in Toronto, it will figure out a way to do it. Even if Pegula wins the bid, for example, the NFL board of governors could disapprove of him as an owner. I don't think they will (I think the Robert Krafts and the Jerry Jones' of the world don't mind having an "aw shucks" type of owner who isn't inclined to but heads with them as they move forward with their plans for the league like Ralph Wilson did), but the bottom line is the NFL's opinion isn't going to be swayed because of a group of self-proclaimed watchdogs.
- buffalofan19

I think the NFL is nearing the end of its "we'll do whatever we want" era. While you are correct that a group of fans and locals can't stop the NFL from achieving its goals, the NFL has had a lot of things blow up in its face recently. Lawsuits and such. now the FCC commissioner wants the blackout rule lifted. I really want to see that happen because the NFL would actually have to run and honest business.

See above. Nothing the "fanbase" says or does is going to sway the process. It's going to fall on deaf ears when it comes to the people that matter.
- buffalofan19

Well again, they did a fair amount of this to themselves, but the fanbase has helped knock jBJ down a peg or two in this whole process.

I think the NFL is nearing the end of its "we'll do whatever we want" era. While you are correct that a group of fans and locals can't stop the NFL from achieving its goals, the NFL has had a lot of things blow up in its face recently. Lawsuits and such. now the FCC commissioner wants the blackout rule lifted. I really want to see that happen because the NFL would actually have to run and honest business.
- Buffalo-Sabres

That's not completely true. Even if the FCC lifts the rule, there's nothing stopping the league from negotiating with the cable companies themselves. It could be an empty threat, but who knows?

Well again, they did a fair amount of this to themselves, but the fanbase has helped knock jBJ down a peg or two in this whole process.
- nfph

I think Pegula's "I just sold a piece of land for $1.75 billion and there's more where that came from" statement he issued about two weeks ago had more to do with that than anything.

Well again, they did a fair amount of this to themselves, but the fanbase has helped knock jBJ down a peg or two in this whole process.
- nfph

Merica

That's not completely true. Even if the FCC lifts the rule, there's nothing stopping the league from negotiating with the cable companies themselves. It could be an empty threat, but who knows?
- buffalofan19

I guess they could. They would essentially become a pay per view league. But it would ultimately hurt them in the long run. Pay per view nearly killed the Blackhawks.

They merely pointed out something that had already been confirmed long ago by both public knowledge and common sense. This town already has enough ammo to be labeled for its "small time" reputation. We don't need to add to it.
- buffalofan19

And they are keeping it up front to remind everyone including the Wilson trust . Good for them . Whether you think their acts are futile or not . This group includes ex players as well as fans that realize the team is an important part of Buffalo's civic pride. I am all for groups that try to make Buffalo feel better about itself . I will not commit suicide if we eventually lose the team . But I am all for these groups fighting to keep them . If it gives them a sense of worth and accomplishment . Why would you have a problem with that ?

I think Pegula's "I just sold a piece of land for $1.75 billion and there's more where that came from" statement he issued about two weeks ago had more to do with that than anything.
- buffalofan19

Hm, JBJ releases a letter to the fans to speak to the backlash against him, resulting in his being mocked, and also violating the NDA (which can't make the trust happy).

Banning JBJ music becomes a national meme for a week during a crucial part of the process, after which reports are the group had to resubmit it's bid for more money and greater assurances they weren't seeking to relocate the team.

Now this guy today - can't imagine that group wanted another news cycle out of this.

Does it decide who buys the team? No. But it's definitely impacted the process.

And they are keeping it up front to remind everyone including the Wilson trust . Good for them . Whether you think their acts are futile or not . This group includes ex players as well as fans that realize the team is an important part of Buffalo's civic pride. I am all for groups that try to make Buffalo feel better about itself . I will not commit suicide if we eventually lose the team . But I am all for these groups fighting to keep them . If it gives them a sense of worth and accomplishment . Why would you have a problem with that ?
- Maximum Signal

Too soon??

Hm, JBJ releases a letter to the fans to speak to the backlash against him, resulting in his being mocked, and also violating the NDA (which can't make the trust happy).

Banning JBJ music becomes a national meme for a week during a crucial part of the process, after which reports are the group had to resubmit it's bid for more money and greater assurances they weren't seeking to relocate the team.

Now this guy today - can't imagine that group wanted another news cycle out of this.

Does it decide who buys the team? No. But it's definitely impacted the process.
- nfph

Yes, yes and yes

edit: and yes

Hm, JBJ releases a letter to the fans to speak to the backlash against him, resulting in his being mocked, and also violating the NDA (which can't make the trust happy).

Banning JBJ music becomes a national meme for a week during a crucial part of the process, after which reports are the group had to resubmit it's bid for more money and greater assurances they weren't seeking to relocate the team.

Now this guy today - can't imagine that group wanted another news cycle out of this.

Does it decide who buys the team? No. But it's definitely impacted the process.
- nfph

EXACTLY !!!!

Too soon??


- stashu

And your point ?

And they are keeping it up front to remind everyone including the Wilson trust . Good for them . Whether you think their acts are futile or not . This group includes ex players as well as fans that realize the team is an important part of Buffalo's civic pride. I am all for groups that try to make Buffalo feel better about itself . I will not commit suicide if we eventually lose the team . But I am all for these groups fighting to keep them . If it gives them a sense of worth and accomplishment . Why would you have a problem with that ?
- Maximum Signal

Hm, JBJ releases a letter to the fans to speak to the backlash against him, resulting in his being mocked, and also violating the NDA (which can't make the trust happy).

Banning JBJ music becomes a national meme for a week during a crucial part of the process, after which reports are the group had to resubmit it's bid for more money and greater assurances they weren't seeking to relocate the team.

Now this guy today - can't imagine that group wanted another news cycle out of this.

Does it decide who buys the team? No. But it's definitely impacted the process.
- nfph

Trump also violated the NDA, something the watchdog brigade never pointed out, and yet the report about the NDA mentioned both of them, at the same time.

I don't think banning JBJ music had anything to do with Morgan Stanley making him restructure his bid, unless they became unspeakably and incredibly incompetent within the last month. Morgan Stanley knew the bid violated the terms well before anyone pointed it out. They get paid big bucks to figure those things out. Trust me, the people in that industry are incredibly attentive to detail, often annoyingly so.

Fine. Bad PR is bad PR, no matter who it comes from. Also, I would say Tim Graham's report that the Bon Jovi group is "unfocused and disorganized" had more to do with that than someone pointing out a blurb in a PDF that had supposedly been amended well before this report even came out.

In the end, it's going to go to Pegula, not because Bon Jovi and "Football Canada" haven't convinced the local fans of Buffalo that they are committed to keep the team here, but because Pegula is willing and able to shell out more cash than anyone else. And that was going to be the case whether or not these reports came out...unless the league is dead set on getting the Bills into that city, which they don't appear to be at the moment.

And they are keeping it up front to remind everyone including the Wilson trust . Good for them . Whether you think their acts are futile or not . This group includes ex players as well as fans that realize the team is an important part of Buffalo's civic pride. I am all for groups that try to make Buffalo feel better about itself . I will not commit suicide if we eventually lose the team . But I am all for these groups fighting to keep them . If it gives them a sense of worth and accomplishment . Why would you have a problem with that ?
- Maximum Signal

Sensationalism has always been a pet peeve of mine.

Trump also violated the NDA, something the watchdog brigade never pointed out, and yet the report about the NDA mentioned both of them, at the same time.

I don't think banning JBJ music had anything to do with Morgan Stanley making him restructure his bid, unless they became unspeakably and incredibly incompetent within the last month. Morgan Stanley knew the bid violated the terms well before anyone pointed it out. They get paid big bucks to figure those things out. Trust me, the people in that industry are incredibly attentive to detail, often annoyingly so.

Fine. Bad PR is bad PR, no matter who it comes from. Also, I would say Tim Graham's report that the Bon Jovi group is "unfocused and disorganized" had more to do with that than someone pointing out a blurb in a PDF that had supposedly been amended well before this report even came out.

In the end, it's going to go to Pegula, not because Bon Jovi and "Football Canada" haven't convinced the local fans of Buffalo that they are committed to keep the team here, but because Pegula is willing and able to shell out more cash than anyone else. And that was going to be the case whether or not these reports came out...unless the league is dead set on getting the Bills into that city, which they don't appear to be at the moment.
- buffalofan19

- Der Kaiser

It can just get frustrating getting a hold of client investment statements in March and April from the Morgan Stanleys, Fidelity's, et. al. of the world.