Al Michaels Recalls Trump's Failed Bid for Bills, Sparking Online Backlash
The legendary announcer's comments during a broadcast resurfaced a past attempt by Donald Trump to purchase an NFL franchise.
Legendary NFL announcer Al Michaels brought up Donald Trump's unsuccessful effort to buy the Buffalo Bills in 2014 during the team's recent Thursday Night Football game against the Detroit Lions. The comments, made as cameras focused on Bills owner Terry Pegula, highlighted a previous bidding war where Trump was reportedly outbid.
Michaels recounted that there were three main bidders for the team: Pegula, who ultimately purchased the Bills for $1.4 billion; a Toronto-based group that included musician Jon Bon Jovi; and Donald Trump. According to Michaels, Trump had publicly stated he would offer a cashier's check for $1 billion, but the league ultimately favored Pegula's bid.
This marked Trump's fourth unsuccessful attempt to acquire an NFL franchise, excluding his involvement with the United States Football League (USFL). The remarks drew criticism from some viewers on social media, with some expressing frustration at perceived political commentary during a sports broadcast.
Trump's interest in NFL ownership predates his USFL ownership of the New Jersey Generals in the 1980s. He had previously attempted to acquire the Baltimore Colts in 1983 and reportedly had an opportunity to buy the Dallas Cowboys in 1984, a franchise that later became the most valuable in sports under different ownership.
According to author Jeff Pearlman's research for his book "Football for a Buck: The Crazy Rise and Crazier Demise of the USFL," Trump's strategy involved trying to absorb his USFL team into the NFL. In 1984, Trump reportedly met with then-NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, expressing his desire for an NFL team and offering to have the USFL fold. Pearlman recounted that Rozelle was not receptive to the idea, reportedly viewing Trump with distrust and stating that he would never get an NFL team during his tenure as commissioner.
The USFL folded before the 1986 season. A different league with the same name was re-launched in 2022 and has since merged into the United Football League.
Michaels also recently made a reference to Trump's past proposal to rename Lake Ontario "Lake America" during a trade dispute with Canada. While discussing an upcoming Bills game, Michaels joked about the broadcast location, misidentifying the lake Buffalo sits on. Buffalo is located on Lake Erie, not Lake Ontario.
Trump's financial standing has reportedly increased significantly. Forbes estimates his net worth at $7 billion, a substantial rise from previous estimates. This increase is attributed to ventures in cryptocurrency and expansion of his real estate portfolio, particularly in the Middle East. The current landscape of NFL ownership includes several individuals who are considered Republican and supporters of Trump, such as Woody Johnson of the New York Jets and Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys.