Report: Toronto still hoping for Bills to relocate
The pursuit of the Buffalo Bills relocating to Toronto may still be alive with a famous figurehead, Jon Bon Jovi, being part of a group that intends to bring an NFL team to the city, the National Post in Canada reported.
A group that includes Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment minority owner Larry Tanenbaum, may include Rogers Communications heir Edward Rogers, and which is being shepherded by Tim Leiweke, the president and CEO of MLSE, who recently added a Bon Jovi banner to the Air Canada Centre, the National Post reported.
Bon Jovi is said to be greatly admired by the NFL and he is willing to put some money in, the newspaper reported
However, on Monday, after CBSSports.com reported Bon Jovi has shown interest in purchasing the franchise from 95-year-old owner Ralph Wilson, Bon Jovi's publicist, Ken Sunshine, called the report "preposterous," noting the Bills aren't currently for sale. Sunshine did acknowledge his client does have an interest in pursuing ownership of an NFL team at some point in time.
"The organization does not respond to reports of the interest other parties may have in ownership of the franchise or of speculation concerning various groups that may have such interest," read a Bills statement.
Bon Jovi owned the Philadelphia franchise of the Arena Football League from 2004-09, until the league folded for one season.
Wilson has ruled out the possibility of his family taking over the franchise following his death, and the franchise would eventually be sold.
The Bills signed a 10-year lease in 2012 to keep playing at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The franchise would have to pay $400 million if it decides to leave before 2020.
