Prominent NFL owners at yesterday's spring meetings in Atlanta "struck a supportive tone for Western New York" and keeping the Bills in Buffalo, according to Tim Graham of the BUFFALO NEWS. Their comments underscored what two sources had previously said, which was that any group that "wants to move the Bills probably won’t get enough votes to approve relocation." Giants President & CEO John Mara said, "We’re obviously hoping for the best possible ownership, and most of us are hoping for a situation that allows them to remain in Buffalo." He added, "It’s been a great franchise for the league. I think most of the people in that room would like to see it remain in Buffalo." Bills President & CEO Russ Brandon said that the team "is close to naming the investment bank and legal firm that will handle the sale." Those firms will "make a recommendation to the trust that has been overseeing the club" since Ralph Wilson Jr.'s death in March. Jaguars Owner Shahid Khan said the Bills franchise "definitely has a place in the NFL’s history and a place in its future." Graham notes when it comes time for the NFL to "vote on the next owner -- or whether the team will move -- Bills fans would need nine owners to block anything undesirable." Packers President & CEO Mark Murphy, a Buffalo native, said, "I will do everything I can to keep the team in Buffalo. I think it means so much to that community, very similar in some ways to what the Packers mean to Green Bay" (BUFFALO NEWS, 5/21).
JACOBS NOT IN BILLS SWEEPSTAKES: WEEI.com's Mike Petraglia noted when Bruins Owner Jeremy Jacobs "expressed interest in buying" the Bills in April, fans "wondered if that meant the end of stewardship" of the Bruins. But Jacobs yesterday during the Bruins' season-ending press conference "made it clear that he has no such intentions and is quite happy" as the owner of the Bruins. Jacobs said, "I can't buy the Bills, because I own the Bruins. That's not a bad place to be. I kind of like where I am" (WEEI.com, 5/20).
