Bills owner won't make promises to stay in Buffalo - Page 2

BigChiefFan · 04-07-2006, 04:17 PM

Ralph Wilson Meets with Governor Pataki

Buffalobills.com
04/04/2006 3:21 PM

Orchard Park, NY--Buffalo Bills President and Owner Ralph Wilson, Jr. met Monday with Governor George Pataki in Albany, New York.

The purpose of the meeting was to explain to the Governor the future competitive and financial challenges presented to the NFL's smaller markets. The high cost of the new collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its players represents a substantial burden to small market teams. The system produces an equal allocation of player costs with an unequal allocation of the revenues that give rise to those costs. This does not ensure a level playing field for small market teams. The Buffalo Bills are the only NFL team which plays its home games in New York State.

Wilson told the Governor that "While I am committed to Western New York, the long term viability of our franchise may be in serious doubt."

Wilson added "I have 46 years of my life invested in this franchise and in Western New York. There are those who don't care about us, our passionate fans or our hard working taxpayers. Well, I do! I am not going to sugar coat this and I am not going down without a fight. The people who have supported us for these 46 years deserve more than that."

Governor Pataki, an avid football fan who attended Super Bowl XL in Wilson's home city of Detroit, was aware of and concerned about the recent developments.

Governor Pataki stated, "The secure future of the Buffalo Bills in Western New York is of vital interest to me and the people of New York State. While the issues raised by Mr. Wilson are not unique to the Buffalo Bills, the future of that franchise is of primary concern to me. I have communicated my concerns to Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and will continue to advocate on behalf of the Buffalo Bills."

**Bowser** · 04-07-2006, 09:14 PM

This is interesting. Petro had a guy on his show last week (before the vote) that was talking about the possiblity of a team moving to LA. Of course, Petro was throwing the Chiefs out there, as well as the Saints, Vikings, and Chargers. This guy at the end gives his potential dark horse team for an LA move - the Buffalo Bills. Petro kind of scoffed at the notion, then the guy tells him he had been working within the organization for the last X number of years. It would appear that everything has been set in motion for a Bills move, unless Pataki can come up with a solution.

I think it would be a crime to take the Bills away from Buffalo. An original AFL member going cross country to LA? Nonsense.

Hydrae · 04-07-2006, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

It's easy to say that when you live halfaway across the country. Buffalo is an original 8 team and one of the traditional teams of the NFL. I'm sure everyone here knows the Chiefs would be in this exact same situation had the renovation tax failed.

In the end I assume the Bills will get what they want simply because they are the only in state team NY has left. I doubt they'd want to see them leave too and not have any in state teams.

Tradition and a dollar will buy you a cup of coffee (Man, this saying used be a dime for coffee, talk about losing tradition!).

While I would love to see the Bills stay where they have been for 46 years, this is a business. If the owner can not make a profit or be able to keep up with their competition they must make changes. I used to enjoy shopping at Montgomery Wards and Woolworth's but they don't exist any more. This is sad but a fact of life in our capitalistic world. This is also a part of the reality of todays world that I think the old guard owners have trouble with. They are still used to $.25 a gallon gas. That is not the reality their teams operate in any more. Do I think it sucks and wish things were easier? Of course. But I am realistic enough to realize this is about economics, not tradition.

StcChief · 04-07-2006, 09:32 PM

That would be bad if they ended up in Toronto...
are they even looking for NFL team, do Canucks care much about American Football????

Hydrae · 04-07-2006, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nm_dbf

That would be bad if they ended up in Toronto...
are they even looking for NFL team, do Canucks care much about American Football????

Given the exchange rate they would probably run into some of the same problems baseball and hockey have had. Noone wants to play up there because although they earn the "same amount" it is really what, 20% less?

Mecca · 04-07-2006, 09:54 PM

"And as Wilson explained, new ownership would not necessarily change the Bills fortunes. Under one proposal in the new NFL collective bargaining agreement, new owners would not be able to share in the league’s robust pot of shared revenue; money that currently sustains the Bills franchise."

If that's true that means when Lamar Hunt dies the Chiefs will be shit out of luck when it comes to revenue sharing money.

It's easy for fans of other teams to make light of it when it's not their team but this shit sucks especially considering the poison pill, no revenue sharing to new owners. It basically ensures anyone who sells their team wont be able to stay in small markets and they'll end up in large markets and in future cba meetings revenue sharing will cease to exist.

The new guard are simply afraid of uncaped years thats all it is. Just wait a few years when the cap keeps expanding and smaller market teams are less viable because it's gonna happen.

**chefsos** · 04-07-2006, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsfan88

The LA Bills playing in the AFC East. That would be a geographical nightmare

That would certainly force a realignment, as they would have to be in the AFC West. I'm sure I'm not the only one to see the resulting shift affecting the Chiefs. Who else would logically move out of the AFCW?

Mecca · 04-07-2006, 10:05 PM

They may end up just giving L.A. an expansion team, there are other markets that want teams too if they want to keep the even number of teams.

Ralph Wilsons whole thing isn't about right this minute the Bills are turning similiar profits to the Chiefs at the moment. He wants to keep them viable in that market after he's gone.

**BigRedChief** · 04-08-2006, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

I'm just damn glad that it's not the Chiefs.

Not for another 25 years!

StcChief · 04-08-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Not for another 25 years!

What he said.

They are locked up, just follow thru on the construction and make
Arrowhead nice and modern...

It will continue to be the best place for football in the America.

FloridaMan88 · 04-08-2006, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefsos

That would certainly force a realignment, as they would have to be in the AFC West. I'm sure I'm not the only one to see the resulting shift affecting the Chiefs. Who else would logically move out of the AFCW?

Yeah pretty much any existing AFC franchise moving to LA would affect the Chiefs because the Chiefs are the most logical team from a geographical perspective to move out of the AFC West.

If the Bills end up moving to LA I could see a situation where they move to the AFC West, the Colts are moved back to the AFC East (the NFL would love to have a Patriots-Colts match-up twice a year), and the Chiefs move to the AFC South.

ILChief · 04-08-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefsos

That would certainly force a realignment, as they would have to be in the AFC West. I'm sure I'm not the only one to see the resulting shift affecting the Chiefs. Who else would logically move out of the AFCW?

my guess would be the LA Bills to the AFCW
Chiefs to the AFCN?
Ravens to AFCE
Dolphins to AFCS

that would make the most geographical sense

ChiefsCountry · 04-08-2006, 12:30 PM

Jags get shipped to the AFC East, Chiefs to the AFC South.

ILChief · 04-08-2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Jags get shipped to the AFC East, Chiefs to the AFC South.

that's two people that have said Chiefs to the South??? Am i missing something?

ChiefsCountry · 04-08-2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILChief

that's two people that have said Chiefs to the South??? Am i missing something?

What cities are closer to KC? Nashville, Indianapolis or Cleveland, Pittsburgh?

Titans, Colts, Texans would be a good fit for the Chiefs.

Brock · 04-08-2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefsos

That would certainly force a realignment, as they would have to be in the AFC West. I'm sure I'm not the only one to see the resulting shift affecting the Chiefs. Who else would logically move out of the AFCW?

Your math is all ****ed up.

04-07-2006, 04:17 PM
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	Bills owner won't make promises to stay in Buffalo Ralph Wilson Meets with Governor Pataki Buffalobills.com 04/04/2006 3:21 PM Orchard Park, NY--Buffalo Bills President and Owner Ralph Wilson, Jr. met Monday with Governor George Pataki in Albany, New York. The purpose of the meeting was to explain to the Governor the future competitive and financial challenges presented to the NFL's smaller markets. The high cost of the new collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its players represents a substantial burden to small market teams. The system produces an equal allocation of player costs with an unequal allocation of the revenues that give rise to those costs. This does not ensure a level playing field for small market teams. The Buffalo Bills are the only NFL team which plays its home games in New York State. Wilson told the Governor that "While I am committed to Western New York, the long term viability of our franchise may be in serious doubt." Wilson added "I have 46 years of my life invested in this franchise and in Western New York. There are those who don't care about us, our passionate fans or our hard working taxpayers. Well, I do! I am not going to sugar coat this and I am not going down without a fight. The people who have supported us for these 46 years deserve more than that." Governor Pataki, an avid football fan who attended Super Bowl XL in Wilson's home city of Detroit, was aware of and concerned about the recent developments. Governor Pataki stated, "The secure future of the Buffalo Bills in Western New York is of vital interest to me and the people of New York State. While the issues raised by Mr. Wilson are not unique to the Buffalo Bills, the future of that franchise is of primary concern to me. I have communicated my concerns to Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and will continue to advocate on behalf of the Buffalo Bills."
Posts: 15,777

04-07-2006, 09:14 PM	#16
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $-58384	This is interesting. Petro had a guy on his show last week (before the vote) that was talking about the possiblity of a team moving to LA. Of course, Petro was throwing the Chiefs out there, as well as the Saints, Vikings, and Chargers. This guy at the end gives his potential dark horse team for an LA move - the Buffalo Bills. Petro kind of scoffed at the notion, then the guy tells him he had been working within the organization for the last X number of years. It would appear that everything has been set in motion for a Bills move, unless Pataki can come up with a solution. I think it would be a crime to take the Bills away from Buffalo. An original AFL member going cross country to LA? Nonsense.
Posts: 106,673

04-07-2006, 09:32 PM	#18
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	That would be bad if they ended up in Toronto... are they even looking for NFL team, do Canucks care much about American Football???? __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

04-07-2006, 09:54 PM	#20
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-532950	"And as Wilson explained, new ownership would not necessarily change the Bills fortunes. Under one proposal in the new NFL collective bargaining agreement, new owners would not be able to share in the league’s robust pot of shared revenue; money that currently sustains the Bills franchise." If that's true that means when Lamar Hunt dies the Chiefs will be shit out of luck when it comes to revenue sharing money. It's easy for fans of other teams to make light of it when it's not their team but this shit sucks especially considering the poison pill, no revenue sharing to new owners. It basically ensures anyone who sells their team wont be able to stay in small markets and they'll end up in large markets and in future cba meetings revenue sharing will cease to exist. The new guard are simply afraid of uncaped years thats all it is. Just wait a few years when the cap keeps expanding and smaller market teams are less viable because it's gonna happen.
Posts: 115,258

04-07-2006, 10:05 PM	#22
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-532950	They may end up just giving L.A. an expansion team, there are other markets that want teams too if they want to keep the even number of teams. Ralph Wilsons whole thing isn't about right this minute the Bills are turning similiar profits to the Chiefs at the moment. He wants to keep them viable in that market after he's gone.
Posts: 115,258

04-08-2006, 12:30 PM	#27
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1401248	Jags get shipped to the AFC East, Chiefs to the AFC South.
Posts: 52,008