In a letter to a Buffalo newspaper Jon Bon Jovi says his prospective ownership group wants the Bills to "succeed" in Buffalo.

Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
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His letter in The Buffalo News on Sunday marks the first time he has publicly discussed his plans regarding the Bills. The team is for sale after owner Ralph Wilson died in March.

Recognizing much speculation and "conjecture" about the intentions of the Toronoto-based Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment group,  Bon Jovi says the group is committed to working with state and local officials to identify a new stadium site in the region. He says it's his intention to "carry on Ralph Wilson's legacy" in Buffalo.

Some fans, however, were skeptical that he did not make a promise to keep the team in Buffalo. Fan Bill Dailey wrote in the comments section, "Why doesn't he just come right out and say he vows to keep the team in Buffalo? And why didn't he say anything months ago," adding that he believes the letter was written by a "shrewd lawyer." Other comments struck the same tone.

"Our objective is simple: to carry on the legacy of Ralph Wilson and make the Bills successful in Buffalo," writes the Sayreville native. He says that he has wanted to
be part of the NFL ever since he was the original owner of the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul. "I was involved in every aspect of that team from its beginning and I lived for and loved every moment."

Elected officials and Bills fans are concerned Bon Jovi's group intends to buy and eventually move the team to Toronto. Bon Jovi says he understands what the team means to western New York and will spend a lot of time in Buffalo to build a winning team. "I’m not risking it all to let you down," writes Bon Jovi.

A group called BuffaloThunder.com has successfully called for a boycott of Bon Jovi music until and vows not to support the team if it is moved out of western New YorkFans in Canton, Ohio for the induction of former Bill Andre Reed told WIVB TV that they don't want Bon Jovi as the new owner. “We don’t want him,” fan Jim Christopher told the TV station. “I fully support the no Bon Jovi zone.”

Groups headed by Donald Trump and NHL Buffalo Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula have advanced to the next stage of the bidding process.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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