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Canton, Ohio • Jon Bon Jovi is hoping he's written a hit with Buffalo Bills fans in a bid to stem concerns of whether his prospective ownership group plans to buy and potentially relocate the franchise to Toronto.
In a letter published by the Buffalo News on Sunday, Bon Jovi wrote that it's his ownership group's objective "to make the Bills successful in Buffalo."
The letter, titled "Why We're Bidding on the Buffalo Bills," marks the first time the New Jersey rocker has publicly discussed his plans regarding the franchise.
The team is for sale after Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson died in March.
"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."
Calling it his intention to "carry on Ralph Wilson's legacy" in Buffalo, Bon Jovi said his group is committed to working with state and local officials and the business community to identify a new stadium site in the region.
At no point in the seven-paragraph letter does Bon Jovi name his two partners or mention they are both from Toronto. His group is rounded out by Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and the Rogers family which controls Rogers Communications.
The Toronto group's intentions have been met with skepticism in Buffalo.
Two weeks ago, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told The Associated Press that he has no doubts regarding the group's long-term intentions to move the team to Toronto.