The monopoly that is the NFL has something very tangible in common with the game of the same name.
In Buffalo, the Bills lease contains a provision that could result in a future owner going to jail. In theory.
As explained by the Buffalo News, the team’s lease at Ralph Wilson Stadium includes a non-relocation agreement that allows the county or the state to obtain a court order blocking a move before the narrow window to relocate opens after the 2019 season. If a court order blocking a move is granted and if the team’s owner tries to move despite the order, the owner could be jailed for contempt of court.
It would never get to that. The NFL wouldn’t approve a move of the franchise if doing so would violate the team’s lease.
As the Buffalo News points out, a $28.4 million escape clause still applies in 2020. It means the team definitely will remain in Buffalo for at least six more years.
Which buys the powers-that-be well over 2,020 days to come up with a way to persuade the next owner to choose to not to, come 2020, make like a tree and get out of Western New York.