The Buffalo Bills are in danger of moving to Toronto likely once Ralph Wilson croaks. The likely move will be to Toronto, the largest city in Canada. Let's go on a little discussion on the possible outcomes on revenue, tourism, and fans.
Where Would the Bills Play?
Impact
- Canada, especially Toronto, is well known for mass transit, and with railroads and buses, going to the Rogers Center is quite easy.
- The Bills would have to share their field with The Toronto Blue Jays, the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, and potentially new soccer club Toronto FC of the MLS.
- Rogers Centre uses field turf instead of AstroPlay, as used in Buffalo.
Will one team currently using the Rogers Centre? Will there be a new stadium built, or a team moving to a different stadium?
To my knowledge, no new stadium will be built in Toronto. As for the question of moving to a new stadium, there have been rumors of the Argos moving to BMO Field, currently occupied by Toronto FC and the Canadian Rugby teams. Now in the CFL, playing on a Sunday during the regular season, so the Argos playing on a Saturday while the Bills play on a Sunday would likely be fine. The CFL season ends in November, and the NFL could very well be capable of scheduling around their Canadian counterparts.
Comparing the Two Cities
Population:
Buffalo: Less than 300,000 population.
Professional Sports Teams:
Toronto: 9
Buffalo: 6
Is Football a Popular Sport in Canada?
It is right behind soccer, hockey, and lacrosse as widely played sports. The CFL averages around 30,000 people per game (only 3 teams in the CFL have stadiums over 40,000).
Toronto: The Best Place for the Bills?
I'm not so sure. Canada loves their sports, but Toronto is a city that sticks to the Leafs no matter how much they plan to suck. Now Toronto FC, in it's 1st year in the MLS, set attendance records for the league. They are a soccer and hockey town, but based on infrastructure and the tourism dollars that will also be affected (thus improving the economy), Toronto would be the best place to hold a new franchise.
Should they even move?
That's up to them, but for me, I'd say keep them in Buffalo, it's a proud franchise for their fans, and it would be sad to see them move away. For the guys in suits, they probably see a larger market, a potentially larger fan base, the league sees more money coming in, and tickets would be snapped up quickly for Canada's first NFL team.
I've done my part, what's your opinion?
Editor's Note: The font size is screwed up, so bear with me here. At least I'm helping near sighted people.
Toronto: Approx. 6,000,000.
Football Success:
Toronto Argonauts: 15 Grey Cups.
Buffalo Bills: 0 Super Bowls.
Football Success:
Toronto Argonauts: 15 Grey Cups.
Buffalo Bills: 0 Super Bowls.
Professional Sports Teams:
Toronto: 9
Buffalo: 6
Is Football a Popular Sport in Canada?
It is right behind soccer, hockey, and lacrosse as widely played sports. The CFL averages around 30,000 people per game (only 3 teams in the CFL have stadiums over 40,000).
Toronto: The Best Place for the Bills?
I'm not so sure. Canada loves their sports, but Toronto is a city that sticks to the Leafs no matter how much they plan to suck. Now Toronto FC, in it's 1st year in the MLS, set attendance records for the league. They are a soccer and hockey town, but based on infrastructure and the tourism dollars that will also be affected (thus improving the economy), Toronto would be the best place to hold a new franchise.
Should they even move?
That's up to them, but for me, I'd say keep them in Buffalo, it's a proud franchise for their fans, and it would be sad to see them move away. For the guys in suits, they probably see a larger market, a potentially larger fan base, the league sees more money coming in, and tickets would be snapped up quickly for Canada's first NFL team.
I've done my part, what's your opinion?
2 comment(s):
Nothing wrong with speculation....
Yes, seems right to leave the Bills in WNY, but when the Bills are bought (post Ralph Wilson) it will be for a huge sum of money. With the plan to play some future games in Toronto, it seems that new revenue streams are across the border.
Rogers Centre in Toronto is a baseball stadium and will not change. They actually stretch advertising tarps on the seats closest to the field for Argo games. Those seats have such a gentle slope for baseball that at football games all you see are the backs of the players at the bench. So any scenario of NFL in Toronto area would include a new stadium eventually. I figure that the team will share games between RWilson Stadium and Rogers Centre for years and years. If a new stadium is built - why not on the Canadian side of the Niagara ?? Fort Erie ??
As for Argos- unless they can make a move to their own stadium and tap into a new market outside of Toronto - they are doomed.
go torontobills.com
Post a Comment