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yyys123 · Joined: 08 Jul 2019 Posts: 855

CANTON, Ohio -- Jon Bon Jovi is hoping hes written a hit with Buffalo Bills fans in a bid to stem concerns of whether his prospective ownership group plans to buy and potentially relocate the franchise to Toronto. In a letter published by the Buffalo News on Sunday, Bon Jovi wrote that its his ownership groups objective "to make the Bills successful in Buffalo." The letter, titled "Why Were Bidding on the Buffalo Bills," marks the first time the New Jersey rocker has publicly discussed his plans regarding the franchise. The team is for sale after Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson died in March. "There has been a lot of conjecture, so we think its important to clarify our intentions to the fans of the team and people of Buffalo," Bon Jovi wrote. "I know how much the Bills mean to the people of this region. So I want you to hear this from me: Im 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." Calling it his intention to "carry on Ralph Wilsons legacy" in Buffalo, Bon Jovi said his group is committed to working with state and local officials and the business community to identify a new stadium site in the region. At no point in the seven-paragraph letter does Bon Jovi name his two partners or mention they are both from Toronto. His group is rounded out by Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and the Rogers family which controls Rogers Communications. The Toronto groups intentions have been met with skepticism in Buffalo. Two weeks ago, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told The Associated Press that he has no doubts regarding the groups long-term intentions to move the team to Toronto. Under their lease that runs through the 2022, the Bills are essentially locked into playing at Ralph Wilson Stadium through the 2019 season. There is a one-time exception that would allow them to break the agreement for just under $28.4 million in 2020. The deal also includes a strict non-relocation clause in which the Bills -- including Wilsons estate -- are not allowed to negotiate with anyone, who to their knowledge, has an intention of relocating the team during the term of the lease. The Bills Fan Alliance, a group of fans and business leaders, questioned Bon Jovis intentions in a statement released Sunday. "While we appreciate his sentiment, its worth noting that nowhere in his letter does he write or directly state that he will not move the Bills from Buffalo," wrote the Alliances directors, Matt Sabuda, Brian Cinelli and Steve Brady. The group urged Bon Jovi to back up his statements with actions by signing a binding pre-purchase agreement to waive the one-year buyout clause. "Anything short of formal action taken on their part will be viewed as nothing more than rhetoric," the Alliance directors wrote. Fans have also organized a ban on Bon Jovi music being played in Buffalo. The group has printed T-shirts and posters with the motto: "Bon Jovi Free Zone." Numerous fans were spotted wearing the shirts and carrying placards at the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies on Saturday night, when former Bills receiver Andre Reed was among the seven inductees. Reed is a member of the Fan Alliance. He drew cheers during his induction speech by saying: "Oh yeah, and the Bills will stay in Buffalo, too." NHL Buffalo Sabres owner Terry and Kim Pegula and New York real estate mogul Donald Trump are also in the running to buy the Bills. Prospective groups are set to begin making formal bids to buy the team in the coming weeks. A potential owner could be identified by as early as Labor Day. The Bills most recently were valued by Forbes at $870 million but are expected to sell for at least $1 billion, partly because NFL teams rarely go on the market. In his letter, Bon Jovi noted his interest in buying an NFL franchise grew when he founded the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. He sold his interests in the team a few years ago. "My family and I are prepared to make this life-changing commitment to be part of the Bills," Bon Jovi wrote. "This is not a hobby or an acquisition. 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." EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Kobe Bryant is officially done for the season after having surgery to repair his torn right rotator cuff Wednesday.The Los Angeles Lakers also made it official that their superstar doesnt believe his career is finished.Bryant is expected to need nine months to recover from his third straight season-ending injury. If Bryant meets that timetable, he could return to basketball shortly before the start of the 2015-16 season — and the Lakers expect to see him in purple and gold again.Neal ElAttrache and Steve Lombardo performed the two-hour surgery at the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.I expect Kobe to make a full recovery, and if all goes as expected, he should be ready for the start of the season, ElAttrache said in a statement provided by the Lakers.The Lakers formally declared Bryant out for the year by acknowledging the expected recovery time from his injury, but also effectively confirmed he wont retire and will attempt to play his 20th season in the fall. Bryant, who will be 37 years old this summer, is the NBAs highest-paid player at $23.5 million this season, and he is under contract for $25 million next year.In my mind right now, hes coming back next year, unless he tells me something different, coach Byron Scott said at practice Wednesday.Scott already had acknowledged Bryant was highly unlikely to play again this season for the flailing Lakers (12-34), who will match their franchise record for futility if they lose their 10th consecutive game when the Chicago Bulls vvisit Thursday.dddddddddddd But if Los Angeles finishes with a top-five draft pick, the club wont have to give its first-round choice to Phoenix until next year to complete its brutal trade for Steve Nash in 2012.Bryant hurt his right shoulder while dunking last week in New Orleans, deciding on surgery shortly afterward. He is the third-leading scorer in league history and a five-time NBA champion.Bryant averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 35 games, but made a career-worst 37.3 per cent of his shots in a wildly inconsistent 19th season. He also passed Michael Jordan for third place on the NBAs career scoring list, trailing only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone.Bryants popularity hasnt waned during his injury-plagued stretch. He was voted to the All-Star game for the 17th time this month, and he is still the Lakers public face despite his recent prolonged absences from the court.Bryant missed the 2013 playoffs after tearing his Achilles tendon late in the regular season, and he played in just six games last season before breaking a bone near his left knee. Although he has played through innumerable injuries in the past, the accumulated wear from nearly two decades in the NBA has caught up to him.Bryant sat out eight games to rest in the past month, and he played under a strict minutes limit. It wasnt enough to protect him from another major injury.Bryant joins Nash, first-round pick Julius Randle and swingman Xavier Henry with season-ending injuries already for the Lakers. ' ' '