Bills Ownership - Pro Football Rumors

Jim Kelly, Bon Jovi Mulling Joint Bid For Bills?

August 16th, 2014 at 6:22pm CST by Luke Adams

With Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula looking like the clear-cut favorite to become the next owner of the Bills, a pair of groups interested in owning the team have discussed the possibility of teaming up. According to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News, Jon Bon Jovi‘s Toronto-based group has reached out within the last few days to Jim Kelly about joining forces to make a run at the Bills, and the Kelly group didn’t immediately rule out the possibility.

Bon Jovi’s group has appeared to be losing momentum recently, having reportedly submitted an unacceptably low initial bid and only being allowed to move onto the final stage of the sale process after providing assurances that they didn’t intend to move the franchise. Graham reported this week that the group is “unfocused and disorganized,” with major tension among the various involved parties.

As for Jim Kelly, his brother Dan Kelly, and the rest of their family, Graham writes that they’ve met with several potential ownership groups in the months since longtime owner Ralph Wilson passed away, but haven’t been able to strike up a partnership with any bidders yet. Multiple sources tell Graham that the Kellys have asked for the following terms in any partnership: A 2% equity in the team, lifetime jobs for Jim and Dan, an up-front cash payment for their services, and final say on all football decisions. One source tells Graham that the Kellys may be open to giving up football decision-making if they join the Bon Jovi group.

Still, while discussions may have occurred, it doesn’t appear any partnership between the two groups is imminent. For what it’s worth, Jim’s wife Jill and daughter Erin both tweeted out comments tonight suggesting that Graham’s report is inaccurate. “To think that anyone would think for a minute that Jim would ever link up with ownership that would move our beloved Bills is ludicrous,” Jill Kelly said in a separate tweet.

In response, Graham published several tweets of his own, indicating that he’s confident in his report and has “about seven sources” on the story. John Wawrow of The Associated Press added (via Twitter) that he’s heard rumblings about a potential Bon Jovi/Kelly partnership as well, though it’s unclear how far those discussions have progressed.

Bills Notes: Roster, Ownership, Sale

August 14th, 2014 at 4:35pm CST by Luke Adams

Wide receiver T.J. Graham, tight end Tony Moeaki, and linebacker Jimmy Gaines are among the players whose roster spots are in jeopardy for the Bills as August’s cutdown dates approach, writes Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. Still, even as Buffalo prepares for the regular season, its play on the field is taking a back seat in the news these days to the sale of the franchise, so let’s check out the latest reports on that process….

The Buffalo Fan Alliance, a Bills fan group, has discovered documents referring to Rogers Communications consultant, Roger Rai, as part of the ownership group “attempting to acquire and move the Buffalo Bills to Toronto,” writes John Wawrow of The Associated Press. The Rogers family is part of the Toronto-based group led by Jon Bon Jovi pursuing the Bills, but Rai that he’s not involved with that group, and that any references connecting him to an attempted purchase of the franchise is “a mistake on my behalf.”
Whether or not Rai is involved, and whether or not that Toronto group wants to move the Bills to Canada, things aren’t looking particularly good for Bon Jovi and company. Tim Graham of the Buffalo News tweets that there’s “major tension” within the group lately, with the partners not getting along.
Meanwhile, multiple sources who spoke to John Kryk of the Toronto Sun about the Toronto group’s meeting with the Bills sellers described the sitdown as “purely perfunctory.” According to Kryk, defeat for Bon Jovi’s group seems “more inevitable than ever.”
At least two Los Angeles-based parties signed the Bills’ non-disclosure agreement, but abandoned any pursuit of the franchise once they found out how difficult it would be to relocate the team to L.A., says Graham in a story for the Buffalo News. According to Graham, philanthropist Eli Broad, who is worth an estimated $6.9 billion, was one potential suitor who signed the non-disclosure agreement but was discouraged about his chances of moving the club west.

AFC East Notes: Spiller, Bills, Pats, Dolphins

August 13th, 2014 at 4:22pm CST by Luke Adams

After the Bills gave up a draft pick to acquire Bryce Brown from the Eagles, then signed Fred Jackson to a contract extension, there has been some speculation this offseason that C.J. Spiller could be on the trade block. But if that’s the case, he either isn’t drawing much interest or Buffalo GM Doug Whaley isn’t interested in acknowledging that interest. Whaley today told reporters, including ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak (Twitter link), that the Bills haven’t been contacted by any teams regarding Spiller, so it doesn’t sound like the 27-year-old is going anywhere anytime soon.

Here’s more out of the AFC East:

Although it’s not clear if he submitted a bid and remains involved in the Bills sale process, Raiders minority stakeholder David Abrams initially expressed interest and signed a non-disclosure agreement with the franchise, reports Tim Graham of the Buffalo News.
It had been six weeks since any NFL teams had made a trade, but the Patriots agreed to two swaps yesterday, adding a defensive lineman in both deals. Jeremy Gottlieb of the Boston Globe takes a look at the refurnishing job the Pats’ interior defensive line is undergoing.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald breaks down some of the key position battles taking place at Dolphins training camp.

AFC East Notes: Jets, Bills, Dolphins

August 12th, 2014 at 9:59am CST by Luke Adams

The Jets look awfully thin at cornerback after three of their top four players at the position went down with injuries, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. In Mehta’s view, that lack of cornerback depth could eventually lead to Rex Ryan‘s ouster in New York if it becomes a significant and ongoing problem during the regular season. Mehta doesn’t think John Idzik should be on the hot seat, but says the GM’s inactivity in addressing the position during the offseason shouldn’t be swept under the rug either.

Here’s more on the Jets’ cornerback woes, along with a couple other items from out of the AFC East:

Discussing Ryan’s and Idzik’s comments to the media yesterday, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com describes the duo as in “damage control” mode, “covering their butts” after not doing more in the offseason to strengthen the Jets‘ cornerback depth. As Cimini points out, the club failed to re-sign Antonio Cromartie after indicating he’d be welcome back, didn’t pursue Darrelle Revis despite Revis saying he wanted to return to the Jets, and couldn’t lock up Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in spite of having him in for a visit. The Jets also opted for safety Calvin Pryor over cornerback Darqueze Dennard in the first round of the draft, and have now resorted to playing safety Antonio Allen at corner during practice.
Led by Jon Bon Jovi, the Toronto group bidding on the Bills has been approved as a finalist in the sale process for the franchise, reports John Kryk of the Toronto Sun. The only surprising thing about that development is how long it took to happen — the group’s initial bid was viewed as uncompetitively low, and the group was also asked to provide greater assurances that it would keep the club in Western New York. The Toronto group, Donald Trump, and any other finalists are still considered underdogs in a process where Sabres owner Terry Pegula appears to be the frontrunner.
Despite the fact that the Dolphins have shown interest in other quarterbacks – and signed Brady Quinn yesterday – Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald (Twitter link) expects the team to retain Matt Moore as its backup this season. Moore, who has a $4MM base salary and a $5.5MM cap hit, is one of the league’s most highly-paid backups, but he’s also one of the more reliable No. 2 options out there.

East Notes: Philbin, Bills, Donnell

August 10th, 2014 at 9:00am CST by Rory Parks

Following the recent suspension of starting safety Reshad Jones–the second significant Dolphins defender to test positive for a banned substance this summer–head coach Joe Philbin broke character and was visibly frustrated with the poor choices made by certain members of his club, writes Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald. Philbin will now be without Jones and Dion Jordan for the first four games of the season, which thins out Philbin’s defensive rotations in the secondary and defensive line and further destabilizes a defense that looked shaky in the team’s first preseason game against Atlanta even with Jones and Jordan on the field. Look for Jimmy Wilson, who performed well as Miami’s nickel corner last season, to replace Jones and for Jamar Taylor to temporarily become the team’s No. 3 corner.

Now some more notes from the league’s east divisions:

Despite earlier reports to the contrary, Mike Ozanian of Forbes.com writes that all bids to buy the Bills have been below $1 billion, which Ozanian calls an “embarrassment” for the NFL and the investment bank hired to sell the club.
Although Jets‘ head coach Rex Ryan did not dismiss the possibility of using Michael Vick in a change-of-pace (read: Wildcat) role, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com believes Ryan was merely engaging in some gamesmanship. The risk of injury to Vick, Cimini believes, would be too great.
After his strong performance in the Cowboys‘ first preseason game against San Diego, Kenneth Boatright might be working his way onto the team’s 53-man roster, writes Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com.
Larry Donnell, who took was on the field for 25 of the Giants‘ 26 first-half offensive snaps in Saturday’s preseason contest against Pittsburgh, appears to be leading New York’s tight end competition, says Dan Graziano of ESPN.com.
Giants‘ quarterback Eli Manning threw just two passes in the team’s four offensive drives on Saturday–completing neither–because New York’s offensive line has not yet earned the trust of new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. In a separate piece, Raanan points out that the starting offensive line, which was retooled after a disappointing 2013, stayed on the field after Manning was removed from the game.
Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Eagles‘ rookie receiver Jordan Matthews disappointed in Friday’s preseason opener against Chicago, while backup QB Mark Sanchez impressed. Sheil Kapadia of PhillyMag.com concurs and provides a position-by-position breakdown of the team’s offensive performance.

Latest On Bills’ Sale

August 8th, 2014 at 9:48pm CST by Luke Adams

As Morgan Stanley, the investment firm tasked with heading the sale of the Bills franchise, continues to meet with bidders for the team, a few more details have surfaced regarding the latest developments in the process. Let’s dive in and round them up….

In an update, Graham notes that the Pritzker family, owner of Hyatt Hotels, could be a candidate to buy the Bills. The Bills trust met with the family as recently as this week, but it’s not known whether they signed a non-disclosure agreement.
Francesco Aquilini, chariman of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, expressed interest in purchasing the Bills, and even signed the required non-disclosure agreement in order to view the franchise’s financials. But, according to Graham, Aquilini and his family have removed themselves from consideration. “I’m always exploring potential business opportunities, and I’m passionate about sports. So this is something that interested me,” Aquilini said in a statement to the Buffalo News. “However, we are not planning to pursue the opportunity further.”

Earlier updates:

Another source confirms to Graham what he heard last week, that Terry Pegula‘s initial bid was far less than the $1.3 billion figure widely reported (Twitter link).
Former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and bond investor Jeffrey Gundlach met with the franchise’s trust on Thursday, according to Tim Graham of the Buffalo News. The duo is interested in getting involved in the purchase of the team, but Gundlach may not have the money to take the lead on making a bid himself, per Graham. As such, he and Kelly may look to catch on with another suitor as minority partners.
In a separate report for the Buffalo News, Graham writes that Jon Bon Jovi‘s group isn’t the only Canadian-based suitor involved in the process. Sources tell Graham that the Aquilini family (owners of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks) and John Bitove (founder of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and president of Toronto’s 2008 Olympic bid) at least signed a non-disclosure agreement with the Bills, though it’s not clear if they submitted actual bids.
Food-and-beverage magnate Dean Metropoulos, who was the runner-up to Shad Khan for the Jaguars in 2011, also signed the team’s non-disclosure agreement, says Graham. The Buffalo News scribe additionally identified the Chicago-based Pritzker family as a possible suitor, though it’s not clear if they signed a non-disclosure agreement.
Bon Jovi’s Toronto group had still not been invited to participate in the final phase of the sale as of Thursday, according to John Kryk of the Toronto Sun, who says the group has once again been asked to clarify its non-relocation intentions.
As for reports that up to eight bidders are now involved in the sale process, one source tells Kryk, “I don’t know if it’s real. We’re in weirdo world at this point.” Another was blunt with his skepticism, telling Kryk, “It’s all crap.”

Eight Bidders To Meet With Bills

August 7th, 2014 at 4:20pm CST by Dallas Robinson

4:20pm: Former Sabres owner Golisano has indeed submitted an initial bid for the Bills now, after not doing so prior to last week’s deadline, tweets Graham. In a separate tweet, Graham adds that Morgan Stanley, the firm heading the sale, is “still bringing people to the table.”

9:33am: As many as eight groups interested in bidding on the Bills franchise will attend personal presentations given by the team’s trust, reports Tim Graham of the Buffalo News. Though only three parties were confirmed to have submitted offers by the July 29 deadline, it appears that the cutoff date wasn’t hard and fast, and more prospective candidates surfaced.

The presentations will presumably allow the potential buyers a more circumspect look at the Bills’ finances and inner-workings, while acting as an opportunity for the trust to get a better sense of the parties bidding. While the order of the meetings isn’t known, Graham did learn that this week’s sessions are being held in the Detroit area, while next week’s gatherings are to take place in Manhattan.

Donald Trump, who reportedly advanced to the second round of the sale selection process, was presumably meeting with the trust in Detroit yesterday, as his jet was seen in the area. A source tells Graham that Trump was the first bidder to meet with the trust.

Another potential ownership group involves former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, who has been linked to the process since April. Kelly would apparently team with bond investor Jeffrey Guldlach in an effort to purchase the Buffalo franchise. Jon Bon Jovi will meet with the trust this week, while Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula will see the presentation next week in New York.

The remaining bidders aren’t yet known, but one strong possibility is former Sabres owner Tom Golisano. It has yet to be confirmed that Golisano even submitted a bid, but he has been linked to the sale for some time. Per Graham, another interested party might include Dean Metropoulos, the owner of the Pabst Brewing Company, who expressed interest in the process in early June.

Sunday Roundup: Bon Jovi, Orton, Browns

August 3rd, 2014 at 12:58pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s round up some links from around the league as Sunday morning turns into Sunday afternoon:

In order to stem concerns from Bills‘ fans that the Toronto-based group led by rocker Jon Bon Jovi would like to ultimately move the team to Toronto if its ownership bid is successful, Bon Jovi himself wrote a letter published in the Buffalo News on Sunday morning stating that he hopes to make the Bills successful “in Buffalo.” As John Wawrow of the Associated Press writes, however, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told the AP several weeks ago that he has no doubts regarding Bon Jovi’s group’s long-term intentions to move the team to Toronto.
Bears‘ GM Phil Emery is open to a reunion with Kyle Orton if Orton wants to play in 2014, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com. Orton, who was released by the Cowboys last month, began his career in Chicago and the Bears have twice tried to re-sign him since trading him to Denver in the Jay Cutler deal five years ago. Orton would represent an upgrade at backup quarterback over Jimmy Clausen and Jordan Palmer.
Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer thinks that it is a “good sign” that Browns‘ receiver Josh Gordon and his attorneys are heading back to New York on Monday to resume Gordon’s appeal hearing. Cabot believes that Gordon will still be suspended, but perhaps not indefinitely.
In the same piece, Cabot opines that Browns‘ second-year pro Barkevious Mingo could produce double-digit sacks in 2014. George M. Thomas and Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal similarly believe that Mingo looks poised for a breakout campaign.
In a separate piece, Ulrich writes that Browns‘ rookie QB Johnny Manziel could be gaining ground on presumed starter Brian Hoyer.
Scott Brown of ESPN.com writes that Steelers‘ head coach Mike Tomlin is paying particularly close attention to the unheralded running backs fighting to make the team’s 53-man roster, including Tauren Poole, Miguel Maysonet, and Josh Harris.
I posted an article earlier today regarding a potential contract extension for 49ers‘ head coach Jim Harbaugh, and Eric Branch of the San Fransisco Chronicle adds to that discussion. He writes that CEO Jed York believes he and Harbaugh are “on the same page” in their contract talks and that both parties will assess where they are after the 2014 season.
Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune writes that Buccaneers wide receiver Tommy Streeter has been the pleasant surprise of training camp thus far.
Herbie Teope of ChiefsSpin.com tweets that Chiefs‘ star safety Eric Berry returned to practice today.
ESPN.com has created a chart detailing the first impressions that the first-round picks of 2014 have made.

AFC Notes: Gilbert, Hill, White, Bills

August 2nd, 2014 at 12:56pm CST by Matt Feminis

Buried underneath the news of Shaun Suisham‘s contract extension, Triblive.com’s Mark Kaboly notes the Steelers have been talking with agent Drew Rosenhaus about a contract extension for offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert, who is in the final year of his rookie deal. Gilbert “always possessed the natural talent to excel in the NFL,” writes Ray Fittipaldo in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Now, he believes he has developed the off-field habits that will help him take the next step in his career.”

Read on for several more AFC news and notes:

Texans No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney caused a minor stir when he left practice early and spent time icing his leg on the trainer’s table, but the Houston Chronicle’s Brian T. Smith caught up with head coach Bill O’Brien, who said the team is just managing the rookie’s “pitch count.
The Jets traded up to draft Stephen Hill 43rd overall (two spots ahead of Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery), but the talented wide out’s first two seasons have been plagued by inconsistency and injury, writes the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta, who calls Hill an “enigma who leaves you wanting more every time you see him.”
Status quo for Dolphins running back Knowshon Moreno, which means continued uncertainty, writes Adam Beasley in the Miami Herald.
ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss relayed Bill Belichick quotes from an interview the Patriots head coach did with Sirius XM NFL Radio, and NESN’s Doug Kyed quoted quarterback Tom Brady. Both men were speaking about rookie running back James White, is making a strong first impression thanks to his versatility and maturity, seemingly earning trust as a three-down back.
In a preview of the Browns, CBS’ Pat Kirwan says he wouldn’t be surprised if four rookies start — including third-round linebacker Christian Kirksey, who is already getting some first-team reps — and two more (running back Terrence West and cornerback Pierre Desir) play important roles.
Bengals stalwart left tackle Andrew Whitworth is nursing a strained calf muscle, but he’s being patient, writes Cincinnati.com’s Paul Dehner.
“The sale of the Buffalo Bills has evolved into an event Ringling Bros and Barnum & Baily would have been proud of,” in the opinion of Forbes’ Mike Ozanian.

Monday Roundup: Gaffney, Suh, Bills

July 28th, 2014 at 10:58pm CST by Rory Parks

Let’s round up some links from around the league to close out this Monday night:

The Panthers waived-injured sixth-round draft pick Tyler Gaffney on Sunday, hoping they could sneak him past waivers and put him on IR after he suffered a season-ending knee injury on Friday. However, the Patriots thwarted those hopes by claiming Gaffney earlier today. Of course, the Panthers could have kept Gaffney on the 90-man camp roster, but, as Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer writes, Carolina GM Dave Gettleman noted that the team needed that roster spot for another running back (who turned out to be Fozzy Whittaker). In response to the Patriots’ acquiring Gaffney, a move that breaks one of the league’s many “unwritten rules,” Gettleman replied, “It’s business.”
During a brief, almost impromptu session with the media earlier today, Lions‘ defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh did not offer any real explanation as to why extension talks with the team have been tabled, nor did he say much about his long-term plans, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Suh merely reiterated yet again that he wants to remain a Lion. See Birkett’s article and our own Luke Adams’ post from earlier this afternoon for more details on the Suh dilemma.
Mike Sando of ESPN.com (subscription required) offers his thoughts as to how the Seahawks can keep their title window open once quarterback Russell Wilson inevitably gets a new deal that will pay him many times what he currently earns.
Albert Breer of NFL.com writes that the Saints are entering 2014 with tremendous confidence, despite their jettisoning of veteran stalwarts like Roman Harper and Will Smith and their increased reliance on their young talent on both sides of the football.
Tim Graham of the Buffalo News writes that the bidding process to buy the Bills begins Tuesday.
Mike Rodak of ESPN.com writes that Donald Trump will bid on the Bills, but Trump says his chances of becoming the franchise’s next owner are “very, very unlikely.”
Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com tweets that Raiders‘ receiver Rod Streater has been diagnosed with a concussion.
Matt Bowen of the Chicago Tribune gives the early edge in the Bears‘ backup quarterback battle to Jimmy Clausen. He also notes that defensive tackle Lamarr Houston and wideout Marquess Wilson have been impressive in camp thus far.
Liz Mullen of SportsBusinessJournal.com tweets that NFL agents Michael Perrett and Kevin McGuire have left SportsTrust Advisors to form their own firm.