“It's our fault”: Stephen A. Smith claims Donald Trump’s failed attempt to buy the Buffalo Bills fueled his presidential ambitions

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has put forward a bold theory about Donald Trump’s motivation for running for president, and it all goes back to the NFL. According to Smith, Trump’s frustration over failing to purchase the Buffalo Bills in 2014 played a key role in his decision to enter politics.

Donald Trump has long had an interest in football ownership. In 2014, following the passing of Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, the franchise was put up for sale. Trump was one of the bidders, eager to add the team to his business empire. However, despite his efforts, he lost out to billionaire Terry Pegula, who purchased the Bills for $1.4 billion.

According to Stephen A. Smith, Donald Trump was particularly upset about this loss because he had only $1.1 billion available at the time, which wasn’t enough to secure the deal. The rejection reportedly stung, fueling resentment toward the NFL.

During a recent discussion, Stephen A. Smith shared details of a conversation he had with Trump back in 2014. According to Smith, Trump made a striking comment after losing the Bills bid, "If them MFs get in my way, I'm going to get them all back. I'm going to run for president."
Smith believes this was more than just an offhand remark. He sees it as a pivotal moment in Trump’s political journey—one driven, at least in part, by his frustration with the NFL.


Trump’s failure to secure the Bills may have been a turning point, but it wasn’t his first clash with the football world. In the 1980s, he owned the New Jersey Generals in the short-lived United States Football League (USFL). His aggressive push to compete with the NFL ultimately led to a lawsuit, but while he won the case, the USFL folded shortly afterward.
Smith humorously suggested that, by rejecting Trump, the NFL may have indirectly contributed to his rise to political power. "It's our fault that he's the president," Smith joked.
Despite his failed attempts at NFL ownership, Trump found success in politics. He launched his first presidential campaign in 2015 and won the 2016 election, serving as the 45th president. After losing his 2020 reelection bid, he made a comeback in 2024, reclaiming the presidency.
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While Trump never got his NFL team, his influence in American politics has been far greater than anything he could have achieved on the field. Whether or not Smith’s theory is entirely accurate, it’s an intriguing take on how one rejection may have reshaped U.S. history.