Preliminary conversations between Syracuse-based real-estate developer Scott Congel and former Sabres Owner Tom Golisano "over a potential partnership" to buy the Bills "are dead," according to sources cited by Tim Graham of the BUFFALO NEWS. Sources said that Golisano "still wants to bid on the team, but by himself." A source added that Congel also "might pursue the team on his own" (BUFFALO NEWS, 7/13). QMI AGENCY's John Kryk reported Golisano has decided to "bid alone and bid aggressively." A source said, "There's no way he'll be a passive bidder." Meanwhile, a source said that Congel this week "plans to announce he has hired a 'major' stadium design firm, and he is close to announcing a financial adviser who will guide him through the Bills bid process" (QMI AGENCY, 7/13).
DELAY OF GAME: The AP's John Wawrow reported a state-commissioned report that "had been anticipated Friday identifying potential sites" for a new Bills stadium "is now expected at the end of the month." AECOM "was expected to identify three to four sites across the region and report back July 11." But a source said that the large volume of information "being sorted through has delayed the findings." Meanwhile, a source said that prospective bidders for the team "have gained access to a 60-page document that outlines the franchise’s history, stadium background and reasons for the sale -- but no financial information." The document from Morgan Stanley recently "was made available via a secure online website to about 60 prospective bidders." The prospective bidders "have until July 29 to apply to begin the second step of the bidding process, which is scheduling a meeting with Morgan Stanley to ask questions about the franchise’s finances and other topics" (AP, 7/11).
