How much longer will the Bills remain in Buffalo? (Wilson: to buy, to move)

[MilesBloodAxe]

Before the owner moves the team to greener economic pastures.......

[Canerican]

I would say that they will transition to Toronto, by 2012 1/2 of games will be played there, by 2016 only one game will be played in Buffalo.

It won't be your typical move, but it has already begun.

[Ex-B-lo-nian]

It could well be sooner than 2016 before the Bills are out of Buffalo. Once Ralph Wilson passes, it is unlikely that his heirs will be able to financially support the team remaining in Buffalo due to a number of factors, the largest of which would likely be the inheritance tax. It is likely that they would then sell the team. All that said, I doubt anyone who has the means to purchase the team would keep them in Buffalo.
In time, I think a Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens situation would come of it, as Buffalo is one of THE best small market teams (in terms of fan following) in the NFL. Truth be told, I don't want to see the team leave Buffalo at all. Maybe John Rigas (what...)? Seriously, maybe looking at a Green Bay scenario (with the team going public) could be the best option.

[Checkered24]

I cannot put a timetable on it. I am confident that Ralph is not going to move them. Once he is gone, who knows. The team will be sold, and up for open bid. I see no reason to assume that means Toronto. Groups in San Antonio want a team, groups in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and elsewhere. Jim Kelly has also actively been putting together investors, although I cannot imagine local investors being the high bid.

Toronto could have the high bid, but the competition will be tough from all over. It seems likely the team will be gone anyway.


As for local ownership like the Packers... the league has rules against that now. The owners don't like local ownership, since teams which cannot be moved from small market hurt the overall value of the league and TV deals. At anyrate, it would take a change in league rules to allow public ownership and I do not see that happening.

[BuffaloTransplant]

I would love to Jim Kelly and investors buy the team and keep it here.

There is no longer an ability for a city to buy a team as Green Bay did; don't know why.

[Ex-B-lo-nian]

I was unaware of the inability for public ownership...thanks for the info!

[IRONSHIRT]

Its going to be a huge blow to the city and region when they do leave. I think its only a matter of time.
The NFL is a business.

[Town&Country]

I hope we remain there forever... its hard to deny this kind of response from Buffalo:

Bills Focus: A Hall of Fame Celebration

[Checkered24]

Per capita, I think Buffalo might be near the tops in support for it's pro sports franchises. Is that enough for sports that boil down to dollars and cents? Hard to say, but I do not think this area is on strong footing.

[cheese9988]

I don't know about forever either. I still think it will have a huge psychological impact on the city, but if someone can't turn the city around, the money will run out sometime.