“Based upon our preliminary review of the current financial information of Mr. Donald J. Trump made available to us, including liquidity and asset value, it is our assessment that Mr. Donald J. Trump would have the financial wherewithal to fund his bid,” the letter declared.
Cornwell highlighted the significance of this letter, as it offered the much-needed confidence that Trump could back his audacious offer with actual funds. Yet, there were storm clouds on the horizon.
A Game of Doubt and Secrecy
Email exchanges disclosed an underlying sense of perplexity within Morgan Stanley. Cornwell candidly admitted his reservations regarding Trump’s ability to obtain the NFL’s approval to purchase the Bills. The league’s leadership harbored concerns about having an owner with ties to the gambling industry, considering Trump’s previous ownership of multiple Atlantic City, New Jersey, casinos.
Another perplexing issue was Trump’s reluctance to divulge his financial records to the NFL. Cornwell unveiled the secretive nature of the NFL’s rigorous financial review process, making it clear that Trump’s non-cooperation posed a significant hurdle.
