Jon Bon Jovi made Buffalo Bills fans a promise on Sunday: He won't be moving the team out of the city if he successfully purchases it from current owner Ralph Wilson.
A group featuring Bon Jovi has long been rumored to be one of the favorites to land the National Football League franchise, but many have wondered if they plan to keep the Bills in Buffalo, where they've been since being founded by Wilson in 1960.
Roughly two weeks ago, the Associated Press reported that Bon Jovi's Toronto-based group conducted a study that identified three stadium locations that would suit the team, and the AP also reported that the Bills are not willing to negotiate with any groups who plan to relocate the team before 2022 -- when their current stadium lease ends.
But Bon Jovi put a halt to rumors in a letter to the city in Sunday's Buffalo News:
"Our objective is simple: to carry on the legacy of Ralph Wilson and make the Bills successful in Buffalo," he wrote. "We are committed to working with the State, City, County and business community to identify the best possible site in the Buffalo area for a new stadium and to then develop and implement a plan to finance and build a state-of-the-art NFL stadium for the loyal Bills fans."
Bon Jovi has a history with professional football. He bought the Philadelphia Soul (an Arena League team) in 2005 and won a championship within five seasons.
But the people of Buffalo don't seem to be too worried about his gridiron acumen. Before this weekend, they had one simple concern with Bon Jovi's bid: Would he take the team away?
"I know how much the Bills mean to the people of this region," he wrote. "So I want you to hear this from me: I'm not risking it all to let you down. If we are given the chance to be the next owners of the Buffalo Bills, I promise you that we will bring the same passion that you do every Sunday, every day.
That's pretty much a quintessential Bon Jovi line - "I'm not risking it all to let you down." Bills fans can take solace in those words, but they likely still won't be too happy with progress on the field.
The team has not posted a winning record since 2004, and has never won a world championship.
"This is not a hobby or an acquisition," Bon Jovi wrote. "Building a winner on and off the field will be job one and I intend to spend as much time on the ground in Buffalo as needed to accomplish that goal."
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