Group Trying to Stop Jon Bon Jovi From Buying the Buffalo Bills

The death of Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson in March has raised speculation that Jon Bon Jovi will try to buy the team and move them Toronto. However, some longtime Bills fans are trying to clip Bon Jovi's wings.

The group, which calls itself 12th Man Thunder, has started a campaign to keep the Bills in Buffalo. In addition to an online petition, they are working to get bars and restaurants throughout the region to stop playing Bon Jovi's music, and have created a poster to let Bon Jovi know that he is not wanted in their city, neither dead nor alive.

"We've had it with Jon Bon Jovi and his Toronto ownership group working to steal our team," said Charles Sonntag, co-founder of the group. "There are thousands of fans that agree with us, so we decided to start the 'Bon Jovi Free Zone' promotion to let him and the poachers in Toronto know that we won't just stand by and let them move the Bills to Toronto. We're asking Buffalo area bars and restaurants to contact us and we'll give them a free poster to show their commitment to banning Bon Jovi music from their premises."

Although no official offer has been made, it was confirmed yesterday that Bon Jovi has joined forces with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment -- owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors and Toronto FC -- with the intention of buying the Bills and moving them to the other side of Lake Ontario.

Two NFL owners, John Mara of the New York Giants and Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys, appear to have no problem with the deal. "He's got a really good knowledge and passion for the game, and he's obviously a smart businessman," Mara said. "If he puts together the right group of people I think he could be a very successful owner." Jones, for his part, called him "an outstanding candidate to be an owner in the NFL, and he's a great friend."