HEADLINES

Donald Trump

Extra Points: Trump, Ravens, Manziel, Eagles, 49ers

August 3rd, 2014 at 10:23pm CST by Ben Levine

Al Michaels spoke to Donald Trump prior to NBC’s Sunday Night Football and the commentator revealed that the business magnate made a substantial bid to purchase the Bills. How substantial?

“He said he offered $1 billion. All cash, no contingencies, immediate closing. He’d have the check in one hour,” Michaels said (via ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio). “He was a little miffed that it went out for bid again.”

We previously heard that Buffalo Sabers owner Terry Pegula bid a reported $1.3 billion while the Toronto-based group led by Jon Bon Jovi bid an estimated $1.2 billion.

With that, that’s take a look at some more NFL notes…

  • The Ravens worked out free agent tight end Steve Maneri, tweets Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Wilson notes that the team auditioned Maneri as an offensive tackle.
  • ESPN.com’s Pat McManamon believes that Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel “took advantage” of his opportunities during Saturday’s practice. While Brian Hoyer has been “steady and solid” in camp, McManamon opines that he hasn’t improved much since the second day. As a result, the writer believes the rookie has changed the Browns quarterback conversation.
  • On Friday, Eagles cornerback Cary Williams expressed his displeasure about practicing with the Patriots during the preseason because “they are cheaters” (via CSNPhilly.com’s Geoff Mosher). On Sunday, Williams was missing from practice, but he made sure to emphasize that his absence had nothing to do with his comments. “[I]t had nothing to do with that,” Williams said (again, via Mosher).  “I haven’t even discussed anything with Chip (Kelly). I don’t think he’s trying any type of. . . . I’m sure maybe we’ll have a conversation, but I don’t know.”
  • Meanwhile, there were no question about 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh‘s intent when he sent a duo of starters to the locker room. As CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco writes, wideout Anquan Boldin was booted from practice on Friday following a scuffle. On Sunday, cornerback Chris Culliver was sent off the field following a rough hit on David Reed.

Trump Interested In Keeping Bills In Buffalo

April 14th, 2014 at 7:05pm CST by Rob DiRe

Donald Trump has come out publicly to state his interest in buying the Bills, reports Tim Graham of The Buffalo News. Trump stressed that he was sincere in his attentions to acquire the franchise, and according to Graham, multiple sources have already confirmed that Trump has spoken to Bills president and CEO Russ Brandon.

Trump has his own checkered history with the NFL dating back to his days as the owner of the USFL’s New Jersey Generals. Trump would eventually lead the newly formed league to challenge the NFL in court, with a high-profile antitrust lawsuit.

However, Trump does not believe that will negatively affect his ability to acquire the Bills, nor would it influence his working relationship with other owners should he purchase the team.

“I think the NFL owners respected me for it because I took a dead league and made it hot,” Trump said. “The NFL owners that I know and are very honest about it, they’ll tell you I did a good job and they have respect for me. And I have respect for them.”

The most important part of Trump’s intentions for NFL fans was his promise to keep the team in Buffalo, as opposed to moving it to Toronto or Los Angeles. In an attempt to convince his skeptics, Trump noted that his residency in New York leaves only about an hourlong plane ride to fly to Buffalo, and that moving the franchise across the country wouldn’t make sense for an owner who would want to be near it.

Trump, who Forbes estimates is worth close to $4 billion, is thought to be the frontrunner at this time, as he is the only one to publicly declare his interest. Another group, Toronto’s Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment – led by rock star Jon Bon Jovi – is rumored to be in the mix. MLSE would perhaps move the team to Toronto.

Graham notes that current Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula and former owner Tom Golisano could enter the mix, and while Buffalo native Jeremy Jacobs has made it clear he would not sell the Boston Bruins to make a run at the Bills, his children could still legally acquire the franchise.

Graham writes that the earliest a purchase could be finalized is October, and the likely time of sale would happen in either December or January.