According to a report by a website called “Victory Bell Rings”, new Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula is allegedly interested in buying the Buffalo Bills and according to the author, has already started the ball rolling.
The site, which frankly I’ve never heard of and seems to be geared towards Penn State athletics, says that no timetable could be released at this time, but cites a source as saying Pegula is interested in the Bills.
While I’m not going to shoot down the credibility of a report when I don’t know the publication nor it’s author, who goes by the name of “Ben”, I was at the Pegula press conference last month when he took over the Sabres and was asked point-blank if he’d be interested in becoming the owner of the Bills if they either go up for sale or after Ralph Wilson passes on. Pegula clearly seemed to know little about the situation and said without hesitation that it’s not something he’s even thought about it.
He gave basically the same answer when I followed up with a similar question directly to him after the press conference. He reiterated that it wasn’t something he thought about it and actually asked if the team was even considering being sold.
I wouldn’t put much stock in this report, especially one authored by someone without a last night, but at the same token, wouldn’t automatically dismiss it either. Pegula has very, very close ties to Penn State and it’s at least possible the author of this story has a legit source.
It’s doubtful we’ll find out much, if anything from Pegula directly as long as Wilson is still around. I’m sure him speaking publicly about any developing situation would be construed as underhanded. If this report is even remotely accurate, however, that’s excellent news for Bills fans that worry on a daily basis that the team will eventually relocate after Wilson passes on. There’s no way Pegula would get involved in any business that involved the Bills leaving Buffalo.
Lastly, for those not in the know, Pegula could legally own the Bills by league rules even though he owns the Sabres. An owner can run a team in another league, but only if they are in the same city.
