Pro Football HOFer Jim Kelly will be "fielding offers to join an ownership group" for the Bills while he "continues his treatment for sinus cancer," according to Dan Herbeck of the BUFFALO NEWS. Kelly's brother, Dan, said that despite his illness, Jim Kelly "remains vitally interested in becoming part of a Bills ownership group and in keeping the team in Buffalo." Dan Kelly said that his brother has been "approached in recent weeks by several different groups of business people who want to buy the Bills." He declined to identify any by name, but said that they would "like his brother to become involved with their groups because of his experience as a Buffalo sports star and his strong popularity in Western New York." Dan Kelly "declined to comment when asked whether billionaire Donald Trump -- a close friend of the quarterback and his family -- is among those who are interested in partnering with Kelly" (BUFFALO NEWS, 4/20).
OLD WOUNDS: In N.Y., Gary Myers noted Trump is "considered by the NFL as the driving force" behind the USFL’s $1.69B antitrust lawsuit against the league in '86. With 15 NFL teams are "still owned by same person or families," can Trump "get the required 24 of 32 votes -- 75% -- to be accepted into this very exclusive club?" An anonymous owner said, "It’s very hard to answer that question. He did try to bring the NFL down. Certainly, a lot of owners aren’t around anymore. Maybe some of the new guys wouldn’t bear the same type of resentment that some of the older guys would." But Myers wrote Trump "would be fun to have in the NFL," and his presence would "certainly force everybody to pay attention to the Bills." Myers: "Most importantly, he would keep the team in Buffalo" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/20).
