With Bills owner Ralph Wilson making noise about his belief that Toronto is ready to gain an NFL franchise and Buffalo is ready to lose one, a Western New York billionaire is interested in keeping the Bills in their current town, if/when the team is put up for sale.

Tom Golisano, who owns the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, confirmed that he’d be a potential suitor for one of the AFL’s original franchise, which Wilson has owned since day one.

“I realize what the issue is,” Golisano said on Saturday.  “I think I realize how important that organization is to the Buffalo area.  And I’ll say the same thing I’ve said before:  If the situation arises, I would do what I can to try to keep the team in the area.”

Wilson’s family isn’t expected to keep the team after the 89-year-old owner passes.  Some league observers believe that Wilson’s flirtation with Toronto is aimed at creating a foothold for the team there, given the possibility that Buffalo might not be able to continue to financially support an NFL franchise over the long haul. 

Beyond Golisano, Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly says that he has a financial backer who is ready to purchase the team and keep it in Buffalo.

Either way, it’s great news for Bills fans.  The best-case scenario is that the team will stay where it is.  Worst-case?  A short move to Toronto.  Seemingly out of the question is a cross-country trek to Los Angeles.