Buffalo Bills Owner Rejected Donald Trump’s Offer to Buy Team, Citing Three Key Reasons

President Donald Trump once attempted to purchase the Buffalo Bills, but his bid was ultimately rejected by the team’s ownership. Sources familiar with the decision have revealed three key reasons why Trump’s offer was turned down, despite his eagerness to own an NFL franchise.

Financial Concerns and Stability

One of the primary reasons the Bills’ ownership declined Trump’s offer was uncertainty over his financial stability. While Trump had built a reputation as a businessman with real estate holdings and branding deals, the NFL requires prospective owners to demonstrate significant liquidity and financial security.

At the time of his bid in 2014, Trump reportedly offered around $1 billion for the franchise, but his bid was lower than other interested buyers, including Terry and Kim Pegula, who ultimately purchased the team for $1.4 billion. NFL ownership groups typically favor bidders who not only offer the highest price but also have the ability to invest in the team’s long-term growth.

Additionally, Trump had a history of business bankruptcies, which raised concerns within the league. Owning an NFL team is a long-term financial commitment, and Bills ownership was hesitant to sell to a buyer whose past financial dealings had included multiple business failures and controversial investments.

Reputation and League Politics

Another major factor in rejecting Trump’s bid was his controversial reputation and strained relationship with the NFL. Even before his presidency, Trump had a history of public clashes with the league. In the 1980s, he was a key figure in the downfall of the United States Football League (USFL), a short-lived rival to the NFL. His involvement in an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, which resulted in a minimal financial payout for the USFL, left many league owners wary of his potential involvement.

Moreover, NFL leadership has historically been cautious about owners who could bring negative publicity to the league. Trump’s outspoken nature, history of lawsuits, and aggressive media presence made him a risky choice for team ownership. The NFL was already dealing with public scrutiny over player safety, protests, and declining TV ratings, and bringing in a controversial owner could have further complicated its image.

Commitment to Buffalo and the Team’s Future

The final major reason for rejecting Trump’s offer was concerns about his commitment to keeping the team in Buffalo. The Bills are deeply rooted in Western New York, and both the league and the team’s ownership wanted to ensure the franchise remained in the city.

Trump, on the other hand, had a history of making business moves based on financial gain rather than community ties. Some within the league feared that he might attempt to relocate the team to a larger market or prioritize profits over the long-term stability of the franchise.

By contrast, Terry and Kim Pegula, the winning bidders, had already invested heavily in Buffalo sports and were seen as a safer choice to keep the team in the city. Their ownership group was also more aligned with the NFL’s vision for franchise stability and long-term growth.

In the end, Trump’s attempt to buy the Buffalo Bills was unsuccessful due to financial concerns, his controversial reputation, and doubts about his long-term commitment to Buffalo. The Pegulas were ultimately awarded the franchise, ensuring the Bills remained in Western New York.

Though Trump later claimed that he could have won the bid if he had wanted to, the reality was that the NFL and the Bills’ ownership had serious reservations about selling the team to him. His failed bid for the Bills would later become a point of contention in his public criticisms of the league, particularly during his presidency.

For now, the Bills remain a cornerstone of Buffalo sports, with ownership that has continued to invest in the team’s success and its place in the community.