Bills

[steven]

Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson recently said the team's future here could be in jeopardy. We decided to look into how serious that prospect still might be.

When Wilson speaks Western New York listens. And when he recently questioned the long-term stability of the team in the area, local leaders lined up to help.

"This is a call to arms," Erie County Executive Joel Giambra said last month.

Wilson said his recent concern was caused by a bargaining agreement his fellow NFL owners struck with players earlier this year. Wilson said it could cause small market teams like the Bills to "lose money" next season and in future years.

Several prominent figures including Governor Pataki, Senator Chuck Schumer and even Buffalo-born NBC News Journalist Tim Russert interceded on his behalf with the NFL commissioner. Afterward the commissioner gave Wilson what he said he needed -- a coveted seat on the NFL committee that will work out the smaller specifics of that new revenue-sharing agreement.

But was Wilson painting an entirely accurate picture of his team's finances?

"There should be ample room there for a profit," said Michael Ozanian, a senior business writer for Forbes Magazine.

Each year Forbes evaluates, as best it can, the finances of pro-football teams, most of which are private businesses and do not open their books to the public.

Wilson bought the bills in 1959 for $25,000. And based on Forbes' figures from 2005, the Buffalo Bills are now worth $708 million.

While the team is only the 25th most valuable out of 32 in the league, when it comes to actual income after the teams pays its bills, the team is 14th in the league, making just over $36 million a year, according to Forbes.
http://www.wgrz.com/news/columnist/b...?storyid=38205

[Riven37]

don't play into Mr. Wilson hands listen to him with open ears he is telling WNY area the team is as good as gone. He know's it and you all should believe in it. The days of the Stamped is coming to a close and I believe the NFL organization has forced the samller team markets to face reality, its time to move your team or fold up and go home for good.

The Buffalo Bills are as good as gone...thank you for the memories but all good things do come to an end, in the end.