Donald Trump has opened up on his attempt to become an NFL owner when he bid for the Buffalo Bills back in 2014.
The Republican presidential hopeful offered $1billion cash for the Bills a decade ago, following the death of founder and Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson.
Trump was one of three known finalists in the battle to take charge of Buffalo. A group led by rock star Jon Bon Jovi also showed interest in acquiring the team.
In the end, however, the owners of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, Terry and Kim Pegula, won the bidding with $1.4bn offer.
Ten years on, Trump is on the campaign trial as he eyes a return to the White House in next month’s election against Kamala Harris.
Donald Trump has opened up on his attempt to buy the Buffalo Bills back in 2014
Terry and Kim Pegula, parents of tennis star Jess Pegula, won the bidding with $1.4billion offer
The 78-year-old appeared on popular YouTube show ‘Bussin’ With The Boys’ and outlined his botched move into football.
When asked how close he came to closing the deal, Trump said: ‘Not close. The owner who got it is a very good man. I think he’s done a great job. Well, he made a great pick – he picked a great quarterback in Josh (Allen).’
The Republican nominee added: ‘I bid $1bn dollars and I put up a letter of credit. I thought I might get it because it was in Buffalo which was having some troubles… and (Pegula) bid $1.4bn – so it’s $400m more.
‘I don’t think it was a very serious run but I gave them a guarantee of a $1bn so that’s always serious, right?’
‘He made a great pick – he picked a great quarterback in Josh (Allen),’ Trump said of Pegula
Trump paid tribute to Terry Pegula – father of tennis star Jess Pegula – for his achievements with the Bills, including selecting Josh Allen in the 2018 draft after other teams passed on the quarterback.
Allen was expected to be the No 1 overall pick until a series of offensive social media posts from his past resurfaced. The Bills nevertheless selected the quarterback with the seventh overall pick.
‘He’s a very nice guy. I think he’s terrific,’ Trump said of Pegula. ‘I think he’s done a great job with that team.’
The 78-year-old added on Allen: ‘He’s an exciting quarterback but he’s a great one… the Bills picked him and (Pegula) took him round on apology tour for a day and he ends up with one of the best quarterbacks.’
