Donald Trump once suggested the Buffalo Bills nearly stopped him from running for president, revealing how close he came to taking a very different path in 2016.
The moment is a throwback to 2014, when Trump seriously explored buying the NFL franchise during its sale process. At the time, his focus was firmly on entering the league rather than politics.
That is what makes the story stand out now. A failed sports bid ended up shaping a presidential run. The connection between the two is more direct than it first appears.
Donald Trump Buffalo Bills bid showed how serious he was about NFL ownership
Trump made his intentions clear in comments reported by CBS Sports, outlining how committed he was to keeping the franchise in Buffalo.
His remarks at the time reflected both ambition and a clear vision for the team’s future location.
He said, “I’m going to give it a heavy shot. I would love to do it, and if I can do it, I’m keeping it in Buffalo. I live in New York, and it’s easier for me to go to Buffalo than any other place. Where am I going to move it, some place on the other side of the country, where I have to travel for five hours?”
The bid ultimately fell short, with the franchise sold to Terry Pegula, but Trump’s involvement showed how seriously he considered entering the NFL.
Donald Trump says missing Buffalo Bills led him toward 2016 presidential run
Looking back, Trump made it clear that failing to buy the team changed the direction of his career.
Trump added: “Somebody could come out and bid through the roof for the Bills, something crazy. In which case, I’m sorry I can’t do anything about that. You have to be sane. But maybe there’s not going to be any other bids. You never know with these things.”
In a 2015 interview with Sports Illustrated, Trump reflected on ultimately missing out on purchasing the Bills.
“I’m glad [I didn’t get the team], because if I bought the Buffalo Bills, I probably would not be [running for president], which is much more important,” Trump stated.
Not only did Trump win the 2016 election, but he is also currently in the second term of his presidency after being re-elected on January 20, 2025.
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