Buffalo Bills Seek Approval to Play in Toronto
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In an attempt to expand their fan base beyond Western New York, the Buffalo Bills announced today that they are seeking approval to play a preseason game and at least one regular season game in Toronto, Canada. The Bills hope to play a preseason game in Toronto next summer and a regular-season game there as early as 2009. The games would be played at Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome), a downtown stadium with a retractable roof that serves as home to baseball’s Blue Jays and the CFL Argonauts.
The Bills require both county and state approval to play “home games” outside of Ralph Wilson Stadium as a condition of their lease, which runs through 2012. The lease requires the team to play half its preseason and all of its regular-season home games in Orchard Park, NY. The Bills began the process by sending a letter of request to Erie County yesterday.
While I understand the team’s interest in broadening its audience, I fear this might alienate the fan base they already have in Buffalo. Personally, it doesn’t bother me. I work at all the Bills home games. And the company I work for is based in Toronto. Heck, a couple extra trips to TO each year would suit me just fine. But if I’m a season ticket holder, if I’m the loyal fan, I want to see games in OP. I want my two preseason and eight regular season games at the Ralph, not an hour and a half north in another country.
Over the years there’s been talk of an NFL franchise in Toronto and Buffalo has certainly been rumored as a possibility to move there. This only seems to add fuel to that fire although the Bills stressed the proposed games in Toronto are part of their regionalization plans and should not be considered a first step for the franchise’s relocation. It’s an interesting situation. Toronto newspapers have published stories speculating whether the city can be a viable NFL market, and most often mention the Buffalo Bills as a prime candidate. I expect my b5media family north of the border (and worldwide) to weigh-in on the issue so check the comments on this post.
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6 opinions for Buffalo Bills Seek Approval to Play in Toronto
Joe
Oct 18, 2007 at 11:11 pm
I’m all for it. Granted, I’m a Dallas fan in south Texas, but still…
Why not broaden your market? I don’t believe you’re bringing something new to the people of Canada (though that’s only personal thought and with no knowledge of Toronto), but if there’s a market for football at that time of year, grab onto it.
As far as the fans go, if they’re not being charged for the game, then there’s no problem. But if I’m the Bills, I find some way to make an event of the “home” game in Toronto to keep the fans happy and in the company of their fellow ticketholders and tailgaters.
Geoff Young
Oct 19, 2007 at 12:57 am
Seems to me the border might be more of an issue than the distance. Raider fans have no problem making the 2-hour drive to San Diego when their team comes here to play the Chargers.
Jodie
Oct 19, 2007 at 10:45 am
I agree with Geoff that the border can be a hassle, but still, I think it’s a great idea. Sox fans go to Toronto to catch Sox-Jays games all the time (it’s easier than getting tickets to Fenway). Toronto is a great city, besides.
Mark Evans
Oct 19, 2007 at 12:52 pm
In theory, it makes a lot of sense given Toronto is dying for an NFL team, and it would be a great way for the NFL to move into Canada without killing the CFL. Maybe Toronto and Buffalo can share the Bills. Didn’t the Packers split their games between Green Bay and Milwaukee at some point?
Tara Myers
Nov 21, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Does anyone know what the etiquette typically would be for season ticket holders in situations like these? Are they guaranteed seats to the games in Toronto like home games played in Buffalo?
Bills Have 78M Reasons to Play in Toronto
Apr 30, 2008 at 7:18 pm
[…] guess I am more understanding of this partnership than I initially was. If this sort of relationship allows the team to expand their fan base, make more money and thus […]
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