Donald Trump Moving Forward With Plans To Buy Buffalo Bills
Donald Trump is putting his money where his mouth is when it comes to buying the Buffalo Bills.
The billionaire real estate mogul announced last month that he was interested in buying the NFL team, which was put up for sale after the March death of owner Ralph Wilson. The formal bidding process for the team is set to begin now, with interested parties submitting bids through a law form representing Wilson’s estate.
Prospective buyers have received a seven-page non-disclosure agreement and an outline of materials about the team and its stadium. While Donald Trump has not given details about his bid, he confirmed this week that he received the documents.
Trump has vowed to keep the team in Western New York if his bid is successful, something welcome to worried Bills fans. There have been reports that some parties may want to move the team either to Los Angeles or Toronto, and rocker Bon Jovi is working with a group from Toronto that would reportedly move the team north of the border.
Donald Trump might have some stiff competition when it comes to bidding. Billionaire Tom Golisano, former owner of the Buffalo Sabres, has also expressed interest in buying the team.
The current owner of the Sabres, Terry Pegula, has also announced that he plans to bid.
Pegula may provide the stiffest competition to Donald Trump and other interested bidders. Sources say he is committed to making the winning bid, and would assuredly keep the team in Buffalo. Pegula has been committed to the Sabres and the Buffalo area, even building a hotel and arena complex across the street from the First Niagara Arena, where the team plays.
Pegula, who has made his fortune in oil, also just sold large swaths of oil rich land for $1,7 billion, on top of his current net worth of more than $3 billion.
Donald Trump also has a bit of sway in the competition to buy the Buffalo Bills. Trump is a longtime friend of Bills legend Jim Kelly, and let Kelly and his family stay in one of his penthouses in New York City while the former quarterback was being treated for a recurrence of cancer.
Fans may know by the end of July whether Donald Trump, Terry Pegula, or another party has bought the Bills.
