Fri Sep 20 11:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Trump’s Obsession with Football: From USFL to the White House
**Rolling Stone** has unearthed a strange and fascinating chapter in Donald Trump’s life, revealing a long-standing obsession with owning an NFL team. The story, published in partnership with the podcast “Pablo Torre Finds Out,” details Trump’s attempts to acquire the Buffalo Bills in 2014 and the bizarre, politically-charged campaign that followed.
Trump, facing a formidable rival in rocker Jon Bon Jovi, turned to a group of local Buffalo Bills fans, the “Big Tree Boys,” to help him win public support. The Boys, led by Chuck Sonntag, a double-amputee, launched a fierce campaign to ostracize Bon Jovi from the city, creating a “Bon Jovi Free Zone.” The campaign was so successful that it forced Bon Jovi to issue a public statement assuring fans he wouldn’t move the team.
Trump’s pursuit of the Bills is indicative of his business tactics, which have been described as audacious, borderline fraudulent, and often reckless. He inflated his own net worth, presented misleading information to potential buyers, and ultimately lost the bid to the Pegula family, who own the Buffalo Sabres.
This episode highlights Trump’s long-held fascination with the NFL, dating back to the 1980s when he attempted to acquire the Baltimore Colts and later the Dallas Cowboys. He eventually purchased the New Jersey Generals in the USFL, but his efforts to compete with the NFL ultimately led to the league’s downfall, costing him and 13 other franchises millions.
Despite his failed bids, Trump’s infatuation with the NFL continued, becoming a constant theme in his political career. He frequently referenced the league during rallies, claiming that football has become “soft” like the country. He also criticized players who kneeled during the national anthem, stating that he felt NFL owners were afraid of their players.
The story raises questions about whether Trump’s obsession with owning an NFL team ultimately propelled him toward the presidency. Some believe that the experience of running a high-profile franchise would have deterred him from entering politics, while others argue that his pursuit of the Bills only intensified his desire for power and fame.
Whatever the case, the saga of Trump’s failed attempt to purchase the Buffalo Bills stands as a bizarre and revealing testament to his long-standing infatuation with the NFL and its glamorous world.
First Piper 