Derek Jeter Had Interest In Buying The Buffalo Bills

Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

New York sports had a lot of movement this past year. Derek Jeter retired from baseball. The Buffalo Bills were bought by the Pegula family, who also own the Buffalo Sabres. Interestingly, a report came out today from one of my favorite Buffalo Bills’ reporters Tim Graham that the two events could have been brought together. That’s right, Jeter toyed with the idea of buying the Buffalo Bills.

A number of high profile millionaires and billionaires entered the realm of wanting the Bills including Donald Trump and Bon Jovi. Jovi wanted to move the team to Toronto, which the Wilson family did not want. Trump is a wild card and could have done anything with the team after buying them. Luckily the Pegulas submitted the highest bid at $1.4 billion dollars. Along with the Sabres, the Pegulas plan on keeping the Bills in Buffalo where they belong.

We had heard that Jeter wanted to own a pro franchise in the past, but it had always been a baseball team. Perhaps knowing the Bills were one of the least valuable teams in the NFL he wanted to at least get his hat in the game. After bidding topped $1 billion, he was obviously out unless he wanted to be a minority owner as part of a group buying the club.

The Pegulas had no idea that Jeter had an interest in the team. It sounds like Jeter’s connection to the Bills is already over, but anything is possible. The Pegulas just heard about this news this week. Adding a minority owner like Jeter would assist the team’s marketing and attractiveness while bringing in more cash to allow ownership to upgrade or prepare to build a new stadium in the area.

A few months ago Jeter toured Marlins Park in Miami with team owner Jeffery Loria. The Marlins are a team that would allow Jeter to have a larger stake in the team. Additionally, he obviously knows the baseball world much better than football.

For now, all is quiet for Jeter. However, with small rumors popping up every few months, do not be surprised if he buys a team with an ownership group in the next couple years.