Jon Bon Jovi group finalists for Buffalo Bills sale

Bon Jovi’s group, which includes prominent Toronto businessman Larry Tanenbaum and the Rogers family, had its initial bid turned down, thanks in part to fear that the group plans to move the Bills out of Western New York.

Morgan Stanley, the bank conducting the sale on behalf of the deceased longtime Bills owner Ralph Wilson, allowed the trio to resubmit their bid with assurances that they would not relocate the franchise. Those initial assurances were still not enough, and further clarifications were requested.

It seems that Wilson’s trust has finally been convinced.

As part of a move to kill the relocation rumors, Bon Jovi, a New Jersey native, released a letter to Bills fans in early August.

“There has been a lot of conjecture, so we think it’s 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: 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.”

The Toronto group is bidding against American multi-billionaires Donald Trump and Terry Pegula. All groups submitted bids under $1 billion for the team, according to Matthew Fairburn of Syracuse.com.