Extending the Olive Branch
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Nothing is for certain of course, but here's what seems to be unfolding:
-Ralph Wilson left the Bills in a trust of 4 people including his Wife, his niece, his lawyer, and the Bills Chief Financial Officer. They alone will be voting on who to sell the team to, however whoever they decide can be vetoed by the other league owners. Judging by how the the last relocation vote(Browns) went I'm not too confident in other owners.-It's generally accepted by everyone involved that the construction of a new stadium is a condition of the Bills staying in Western New York. Potentially locations being discussed are Niagara Falls, Downtown Buffalo, or Batavia.
-$130 million in renovations expected to be finished this offseason are expected to do for now. They're adding some cool stuff: http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/6-reasons-to-be-excited-about-the-Ralph-Wilson-Stadium-renovations/d9ae82f2-7c6e-4d78-adfa-1b60fb0a62b2
-Ralph Wilson's last gift to the area, which we found out after his passing, was secretly having his lawyers, the state, and Eerie County craft a secondary document attached to the new lease signed a couple years ago which basically prevents anyone from moving the team within the next 6 years. If they try, they'd have to win the right to in court and THEN pay a $150 million relocation penalty IF they won that court case.
-The largest threat to the team staying in Buffalo is perceived to be Bon Jovi's group which includes Rogers Media in Toronto. They've got the money and they've got the clout. Fans are already banding together to send a big "fuck you" to him with local bars/restaurants/djs/bands signing commitments to not play his music in their establishments and fan groups like http://www.12thmanthunder.com circulating petitions. Here's a sign you can expect to see if you go into a bar or nightclub here:
-Our best hope for keeping the team in Buffalo ownership-wise is probably the group associated with Jim Kelly, but he's recently been battling with some really bad cancer so who knows how that will turn out. Donald Trump has expressed interest in keeping the Bills here, but that's a steep price to pay. I can't imagine having someone like that owning my team.
I personally would stop watching the NFL completely if the Bills moved. Forever. Though you'll probably get a kick out of the fact that a lot of fellow Bills fans say they'd become Browns fans if they were forced to root for another team. There was just a big thread about it on a Bills forum not to long ago.
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So, what is the deal with Bon Jovi.....is he outwardly stating that he will move the team? And to where? Toronto? LA? Asbury Park?
Why put 130 mill into a facility if one of the probable conditions of keeping the team there is a new stadium? Put that money into the new stadium.
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Howdy all! Figured I might pop in to drum up any support the Bills may have from the Browns' fanbase. We like our team where it is and hope everyone else does too. Small market teams like us are just as important to the league as big market teams imo.
As I'm sure some of you know, the Bills & Browns have unofficially supported each other for a long time, both being small market teams. From the shenanigans they pulled together to steal Bernie Kosar for the Browns from the Oilers in the 1985 draft(great story btw. Google it if you're not familiar) to Ralph Wilson being one of only two team owners in the league to vote against relocating the Browns in 1996 even though he was considered one of Art Modell's closest friends. He supported the fanbase of small markets teams over all else. When he failed to block the move, he did the only thing he could and declared the Bills/Bengals game next season "Cleveland Browns Fan Appreciate Day" at Ralph Wilson Stadium. He also chose halftime at a Bills/Browns game to receive his Hall of Fame ring.
Anyways, it's obvious what Bills fans think about moving the team. I'm curious what fans of another team think. Would you sign a petition to keep them in Buffalo or join a Facebook group to show your support?
Howdy all! Figured I might pop in to drum up any support the Bills may have from the Browns' fanbase. We like our team where it is and hope everyone else does too. Small market teams like us are just as important to the league as big market teams imo.
As I'm sure some of you know, the Bills & Browns have unofficially supported each other for a long time, both being small market teams. From the shenanigans they pulled together to steal Bernie Kosar for the Browns from the Oilers in the 1985 draft(great story btw. Google it if you're not familiar) to Ralph Wilson being one of only two team owners in the league to vote against relocating the Browns in 1996 even though he was considered one of Art Modell's closest friends. He supported the fanbase of small markets teams over all else. When he failed to block the move, he did the only thing he could and declared the Bills/Bengals game next season "Cleveland Browns Fan Appreciate Day" at Ralph Wilson Stadium. He also chose halftime at a Bills/Browns game to receive his Hall of Fame ring.
Anyways, it's obvious what Bills fans think about moving the team. I'm curious what fans of another team think. Would you sign a petition to keep them in Buffalo or join a Facebook group to show your support?
I'd never support a bills move. The bills belong in buffalo.
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The Bills should NOT be moved out of Buffalo.
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So, what is the deal with Bon Jovi.....is he outwardly stating that he will move the team? And to where? Toronto? LA? Asbury Park?
Why put 130 mill into a facility if one of the probable conditions of keeping the team there is a new stadium? Put that money into the new stadium.
So, what is the deal with Bon Jovi.....is he outwardly stating that he will move the team? And to where? Toronto? LA? Asbury Park?
Why put 130 mill into a facility if one of the probable conditions of keeping the team there is a new stadium? Put that money into the new stadium.
He wants to move the team to LA.
A lot of Bills fans agree with you about the money for renovations. Ralph put up most of it out of his own pocket before he died though, so it's kind of seen as a nice gift to hold us over until someone builds a new stadium.
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Only keep the Bills in Buffalo if...
1. There is strong fan support
2. It's profitable
3. There is a strong enough market to support it.
Not ever city deserves an NFL team just because they're some-what large. Green Bay, WI is by far the smallest city in the world to have a sports franchise valued at over $1 billion USD, they hold the distinction by meeting all three criteria listed above.
I would honestly like to see cities like San Antonio, Toronto, and Mexico City get teams if I knew it would be a success. Even if that means watching the Bills or Jaguars move to these places.
“Football is a game played with arms, legs and shoulders but mostly from the neck up” -
I didn't know we were a small market team...
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What makes anyone think L.A. deserves a team? Buffalo has had the Bills since their inception. I've seen at least two teams leave L.A. In my lifetime.
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Only keep the Bills in Buffalo if...
1. There is strong fan support
2. It's profitable
3. There is a strong enough market to support it.
Not ever city deserves an NFL team just because they're some-what large. Green Bay, WI is by far the smallest city in the world to have a sports franchise valued at over $1 billion USD, they hold the distinction by meeting all three criteria listed above.
I would honestly like to see cities like San Antonio, Toronto, and Mexico City get teams if I knew it would be a success. Even if that means watching the Bills or Jaguars move to these places.
Only keep the Bills in Buffalo if...
1. There is strong fan support
2. It's profitable
3. There is a strong enough market to support it.
Not ever city deserves an NFL team just because they're some-what large. Green Bay, WI is by far the smallest city in the world to have a sports franchise valued at over $1 billion USD, they hold the distinction by meeting all three criteria listed above.
I would honestly like to see cities like San Antonio, Toronto, and Mexico City get teams if I knew it would be a success. Even if that means watching the Bills or Jaguars move to these places.
Buffalo has a great football tradition as well as a rabid fanbase. What does San Antonio, Mexico City and Toronto have besides soccer fans? Ass hat!
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Didn't Bon Jovi cancel his concert that was suppsoedt ob e a part of the Browns season kick off last year? Either way fuck him. Buffalo Bills need to stay the BUFFALO BILLS. This was the only team that had an owner that recognized how wrong it was to steal our Browns. Any Cleveland fan who didnt suppor them on this is an ass hat.
OP's point is spot on as well, just because a market is defined as larger doesnt mean it better or more profitable for everything. Case in point I remember back in the late 90s when the Atlanta Braves were one of the hottest dynasty teams in basebell. You could literally go any night , buy a ticket and then walk down and sit a couple rows behind home plate. The place was half empty everytime we went. Market size does not translate on its own into a passionate spending fan base.
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I didn't know we were a small market team...
You are. The Bills and the Browns are probably the most similar teams in the NFL. From the rust belt cities they call home, to the underdog status of being a small market team, to the rabid blue collar fans that support them. It's the main reason most Bills fans that wouldn't stop watching football altogether if the Bills moved would become Browns fans by default. Two of the most similar(and best) fanbases in the entire league imo.
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I didn't know we were a small market team...
You are. The Bills and the Browns are probably the most similar teams in the NFL. From the rust belt cities they call home, to the underdog status of being a small market team, to the rabid blue collar fans that support them. It's the main reason most Bills fans that wouldn't stop watching football altogether if the Bills moved would become Browns fans by default. Two of the most similar(and best) fanbases in the entire league imo.
You are. The Bills and the Browns are probably the most similar teams in the NFL. From the rust belt cities they call home, to the underdog status of being a small market team, to the rabid blue collar fans that support them. It's the main reason most Bills fans that wouldn't stop watching football altogether if the Bills moved would become Browns fans by default. Two of the most similar(and best) fanbases in the entire league imo.
Cleveland is a pretty large market but otherwise I agree with your assessment.
Sorry I have to root against you guys this year.
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Only keep the Bills in Buffalo if...
1. There is strong fan support
2. It's profitable
3. There is a strong enough market to support it.
Not ever city deserves an NFL team just because they're some-what large. Green Bay, WI is by far the smallest city in the world to have a sports franchise valued at over $1 billion USD, they hold the distinction by meeting all three criteria listed above.
I would honestly like to see cities like San Antonio, Toronto, and Mexico City get teams if I knew it would be a success. Even if that means watching the Bills or Jaguars move to these places.
Only keep the Bills in Buffalo if...
1. There is strong fan support
2. It's profitable
3. There is a strong enough market to support it.
Not ever city deserves an NFL team just because they're some-what large. Green Bay, WI is by far the smallest city in the world to have a sports franchise valued at over $1 billion USD, they hold the distinction by meeting all three criteria listed above.
I would honestly like to see cities like San Antonio, Toronto, and Mexico City get teams if I knew it would be a success. Even if that means watching the Bills or Jaguars move to these places.
Big surprise that a stoolers fan would be an asshole about this.
:neutral_face: -
You are. The Bills and the Browns are probably the most similar teams in the NFL. From the rust belt cities they call home, to the underdog status of being a small market team, to the rabid blue collar fans that support them. It's the main reason most Bills fans that wouldn't stop watching football altogether if the Bills moved would become Browns fans by default. Two of the most similar(and best) fanbases in the entire league imo.
Cleveland is a pretty large market but otherwise I agree with your assessment.
Sorry I have to root against you guys this year.
Cleveland is a pretty large market but otherwise I agree with your assessment.
Sorry I have to root against you guys this year.
True, I guess you guys are more of a "mid-market" team but sure as hell have the loyalty and scrappiness of a small market team. I'm guessing just like the Bills, there's probably no such thing as a "Fair weather Browns fan."
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Only keep the Bills in Buffalo if...
1. There is strong fan support
2. It's profitable
3. There is a strong enough market to support it.
Not ever city deserves an NFL team just because they're some-what large. Green Bay, WI is by far the smallest city in the world to have a sports franchise valued at over $1 billion USD, they hold the distinction by meeting all three criteria listed above.
I would honestly like to see cities like San Antonio, Toronto, and Mexico City get teams if I knew it would be a success. Even if that means watching the Bills or Jaguars move to these places.
Only keep the Bills in Buffalo if...
1. There is strong fan support
2. It's profitable
3. There is a strong enough market to support it.
Not ever city deserves an NFL team just because they're some-what large. Green Bay, WI is by far the smallest city in the world to have a sports franchise valued at over $1 billion USD, they hold the distinction by meeting all three criteria listed above.
I would honestly like to see cities like San Antonio, Toronto, and Mexico City get teams if I knew it would be a success. Even if that means watching the Bills or Jaguars move to these places.
suck a nut bowel breath. if that was a criteria for your team to get pulled then you should be worried in pittsburgh. it's not like your fans from across the country are going to pinch in when the rooneys go belly up.
buffalo is sooo much classier than pitt that it isn't even worth mentioning. it's soo cold when they play in november that you don't have to worry about getting mugged at the bodega getting a pack of cigs at midnight the night before....because we all know cockroaches and samoans hate the cold.
i'd gladly drive up and be in any type of rally to support the bills.
and gladly do a drive by in pittsburgh during a rally of support.
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GuNNerGatSKy said:
Absolutely I support the Bills staying in Buffalo!
Diehardbrownsfan is a jackass don't listen to him. When Art "the traitor" Moddell decided to abandon his Cleveland franchise in favor of owning one in Baltimore, the hearts of millions of Browns fans were broken, particularly those of families such as mine that have bled Brown and orange for decades. You are absolutely right that small market teams are important to the league. Small market teams have the most devout, rabid fans without question. I believe the Browns have the most diehard professional sports fans on planet earth.
This Browns fan stands behind you and your team staying in Buffalo!
GO BROWNS AND BILLS!
I didn't say I wanted them to leave, I said I think they will leave. I think Jacksonville will leave also.
I didn't say I wanted them to leave, I said I think they will leave. I think Jacksonville will leave also.
History lesson- if the NFL had given a expansion franchise Baltimore instead of Jacksonville, History would have been a lot different. Modell wouldn't have sold the team to Weaver. If any team is moving I hope its the Jags- talk about front running fans cover the top of the stadium with tarps to get "sell- outs".
Bills Fan- You're going to have to build a new stadium- it sucks, but it will be the price of keeping the Bills. Crap, First Energy is only 15 years old, and we're already sinking another $100 million into it.
-Our best hope for keeping the team in Buffalo ownership-wise is probably the group associated with Jim Kelly, but he's recently been battling with some really bad cancer so who knows how that will turn out. Donald Trump has expressed interest in keeping the Bills here, but that's a steep price to pay. I can't imagine having someone like that owning my team.
I personally would stop watching the NFL completely if the Bills moved. Forever. Though you'll probably get a kick out of the fact that a lot of fellow Bills fans say they'd become Browns fans if they were forced to root for another team. There was just a big thread about it on a Bills forum not to long ago.
Ditto. In the three years the Browns were gone, I might have watched 3 hours of NFL football- it's amazing the other things you can find to do on nice Sunday fall afternoons.
Only keep the Bills in Buffalo if...
1. There is strong fan support
2. It's profitable
3. There is a strong enough market to support it.
Not ever city deserves an NFL team just because they're some-what large. Green Bay, WI is by far the smallest city in the world to have a sports franchise valued at over $1 billion USD, they hold the distinction by meeting all three criteria listed above.
I would honestly like to see cities like San Antonio, Toronto, and Mexico City get teams if I knew it would be a success. Even if that means watching the Bills or Jaguars move to these places.
The only reason the NFL wants a team in LA is it's the #2 TV market in the country- with #2 fans that don't give a shit- with the number of teams they've lost how can you say they deserve another?
#1 Doubtless
#2 BS- the NFL's primary income stream is TV revenue- To the tune of Directv's $4 BILLION, just to do Sunday Ticket, & I'm too lazy to look up what NBC, CBS and FOX shell out- it's way more than that for sure.
#3 See below-
What makes anyone think L.A. deserves a team? Buffalo has had the Bills since their inception. I've seen at least two teams leave L.A. In my lifetime.
You can bet if it was all about money- the NFL would have moved the Packers out of Green Bay- long ago. Browns fans wanted the same deal- but were refused- let the CITY own the team.
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Only keep the Bills in Buffalo if...
1. There is strong fan support
2. It's profitable
3. There is a strong enough market to support it.
Not ever city deserves an NFL team just because they're some-what large. Green Bay, WI is by far the smallest city in the world to have a sports franchise valued at over $1 billion USD, they hold the distinction by meeting all three criteria listed above.
I would honestly like to see cities like San Antonio, Toronto, and Mexico City get teams if I knew it would be a success. Even if that means watching the Bills or Jaguars move to these places.
Only keep the Bills in Buffalo if...
1. There is strong fan support
2. It's profitable
3. There is a strong enough market to support it.
Not ever city deserves an NFL team just because they're some-what large. Green Bay, WI is by far the smallest city in the world to have a sports franchise valued at over $1 billion USD, they hold the distinction by meeting all three criteria listed above.
I would honestly like to see cities like San Antonio, Toronto, and Mexico City get teams if I knew it would be a success. Even if that means watching the Bills or Jaguars move to these places.
Well, the answer is: 1. There is strong fan support in Buffalo, 2. Its an NFL team dumbass...of course its profitable 2. How is #3 not the same as #1.
I agree that not every city deserves an NFL team......and that is why LA does not have one because they have not shown to deserve one.
FYI, Toronto and Mexico City at this point view the NFL as a novelty...same as London. There is absolutely no evidence that they meet any of your criteria for an NFL team. (other than that they are big North American Cities). I think San Antonio could/would probably be a decent NFL market....and I agree that Jax may be one place where the support for the team may not be strong.
Of course, I also believe that if Pittsburgh would have to endure the same kind of bad on field run that the likes of Cleveland and Buffalo had to endure there would be a lot of talk about moving them.
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