Published on: October 16, 2024, 02:05h.
Last updated on: October 16, 2024, 02:14h.
Three former professional athletes who achieved fame while playing for Toronto-based teams are in talks to acquire a minority ownership stake in the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.
Former Toronto Raptors players Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, along with Joze Altidore from Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC, are all showing interest and negotiating with the Pegula family, who own the Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, as reported by Sportico.
Bills Valued at More Than $4 Billion
The current owners purchased the Bills in 2014 for $1.4 billion and committed to keeping the team in Western New York. The organization is currently constructing a new stadium in Orchard Park for the Bills, adjacent to the current stadium, with plans for completion by the 2026 season.
Forbes estimates the current value of the Buffalo Bills at $4.2 billion.
According to reports, the Pegulas have opened the door to minority investors. In a statement to Sportico, the Bills indicated, “Earlier this year, the Pegula family engaged Allen & Company to explore the potential sale of a non-controlling, minority interest in the Bills. Since then, there has been significant interest, and our focus has been on finding the right partners for our organization.
“The process is ongoing, and any potential investor cannot be confirmed or finalized until it is approved by the NFL. The Pegula family’s commitment to our fans in Western New York and beyond, as well as the new Highmark Stadium, remains steadfast. Neither the team nor the Pegula family can provide further comments at this time.”
Carter Inducted Into Basketball Hall of Fame
There is no statement at this time from Carter, McGrady, or Altidore.
A previous post on September 23 showed the three individuals attending the Monday night game in Buffalo against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Carter had a busy week, giving his Basketball Hall of Fame acceptance speech in Springfield, Massachusetts on Sunday night. Carter was inducted into the hall as a Raptor, a team he played for from 1999 to 2004.
Altidore achieved a Major League Soccer championship with Toronto FC in 2017 and identifies himself on his social media profile as a “US soccer player, sports investor, and entrepreneur.” McGrady, who is Carter’s cousin, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 and played with the Raptors from 1997 to 2000.