[merged] Stop the NFL From Coming to Canada

Hamilton Tiger-Cats
1

I hope that this does not become the thin edge of the wedge but the fact that the Bills themselves are actively pursuing opportunities to play in Toronto makes me worry about the future of the CFL. Not mentioned in the Toronto Star article below is the fact that Paul Godfrey is about to step down from the presidency of the Blue Jays to pursue his dream of bringing a NFL team to Toronto. It's not inconceivable that these two get together to make it happen. If they manage to make the Bills into a regional NY State-Golden Horseshoe-GTA entity, I believe that will be the end of the Argos and probably the Cats.

An Argo-Cat fan

Here's the article:

Bills hoping Toronto's ready for some football

Team wants to have annual games at Rogers Centre

Oct 23, 2007 04:30 AM
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.–Bills owner Ralph Wilson frequently has lamented how difficult it is for his team to fully tap into Toronto, the metropolis considered the NFL franchise's northern – and, by far, largest – market.

Turns out, the Bills might have finally come up with a solution. If they can't lure Toronto's vast cache of corporate dollars the 145-kilometre drive to Buffalo, then the Bills intend to go north twice a year.

That's part of the pitch the Bills will make at the NFL fall meetings in Philadelphia today, when the team unveils its plan to host an annual regular-season and pre-season game in Toronto starting next year.

The Bills' plan is broader than what filtered out last week: Reports the team intended to host a pre-season game in Toronto next season, followed by a regular-season game there in 2009.

Brian McCarthy, NFL vice-president of corporate communications, said yesterday the Bills' bid to play annually in Toronto is viewed as both "logical" and "necessary" steps to secure the small-market franchise's long-term viability.

"They do need to further regionalize both fan and corporate support in their home territory," McCarthy said. "So this would help the team further successfully operate in the future in western New York."

Toronto represents the final and most lucrative frontier for the Bills, who insist they have reached their revenue-generating limits in a rust-belt region with a perennially struggling economy.

The games would be played at the Rogers Centre.

Except for releasing a statement last week outlining potential plans to play in Toronto, the Bills have declined to comment further until after they make their presentation to the league.

The Bills' proposal will be discussed by NFL owners before going up for a vote within the next two months.

CFL commissioner Mark Cohon is open to the Bills playing in Toronto, but "under the right circumstances," and so long as it doesn't affect the viability of the Argonauts or Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The Bills cleared a hurdle yesterday when New York's Empire State Development granted the team approval to play games in Toronto. The state body's approval was required because it partly controls the lease agreement the Bills have at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Erie County, another leaseholder, gave the Bills consent last week.

The lease, which runs through 2012, requires the team to play all of its home regular-season and home preseason games at the stadium.

2

I dont really mind. I really think they should limit to one game and it should have to be played after the CFL season is over. So sometime in December.

Also, if the CFL is truly a better game then the Argo's have a good opportunity to get some NFL fans interested in the CFL.

3

Help Save the CFL Sign the Petition

To: Canada Government

We the Fans of Canadian Football League,
Would like the Government of Canada to Block The NFL
From having a Team Move or Play Games in Canada.

We Feel this will Destroy the CFL and the Canadian Game .
It will cost jobs and Destroy a Peace of Canadian Culture.

Please Stop the NFL From Coming To Canada.

http://www.petitiononline.com/2168T/petition.html
4

No - bring on the NFL, if Canadians don't want the NFL the NFL won't come here. There is a big market for it.
Our government has better things to do like cutting our taxes.
We expanded into the US in the 90s, I don't think the Americans tried to block it.

Besides the NFL will come to Toronto not Canada. The CFL won't change wihtout Toronto, move the Argos to Ottawa.

5

I beg to differ …
This will Kill the CFL In Hamilton and Toronto…

If Toronto and Hamilton Go Montreal Will Follow.
The CFL Can’t make it without East Teams.

6

I wouldn't walk out to my front porch to see the Bills play. I wouldn't even look out the window if they were playing on my front lawn.

7

There go the petunias.

8

I will keep my Ticats seasons tickets for as long as possible. The only way I'd add a game to my schedule and pay for it, an NFL game that is played in Toronto, is if the CFL gets something out of it. Otherwise I wouldn't dream of attending it.

If the Bills were smart, they would put out some marketing about the Toronto thing to make people like me want to attend the Bills games in Toronto, something along the lines of what the CFL gains out of it. But I bet we see zilch.

9

I hoping Our Government Steps in Stop the Bills From Coming.

10

I just heard an interview with the Bills rookie QB on the FAN590 that he and some other players are in Toronto this afternoon giving out free equipment and signing autographs at a local highschool. In the last few weeks, this NFL-to-Toronto scenario has picked up a lot of momentum. Those Bills players aren't here for nothing.

An Argo-Cat fan

11

I don't think one or two games a year would make any difference to the CFL. BUT if T.O. gets its own team that would put a huge strain on the CFL.:frowning:

12

THE OWNERS,GOVERNORS,AND THE COMMISH OF THE CFL SHOULD STOP THIS DRAGON BEFORE IT GETS ANY CLOSER. HOW THEY THINK THE CFL COULD SURVIVE THIS INTRUSION ON OUR SOIL IS CRAZY.
NOT TO MENTION IF THERE IS THAT MUCH MONEY OUT THERE PUT IT INTO OUR OWN COMMUNITY AND LEAGUE AND NOT AMERICAN.
DID WE NOT LEARN ANYTHING FROM THE KIDNAPPING OF THE NHL, WHERE THE MERE THOUGHT OF ANOTHER CANADIAN TEAM IS FREAKING THEM OUT.
IT HAS TO STOP NOW. TORONTO IS INFULUNCED ENOUGH BY AMERICAN OUTSIDERS AND IT'S HOLY GRAIL NOTION OF BEING LIKE A BIG AMERICAN CITY.

STOP PLEASE, DO NOT LET THE NFL COMEUP HERE OR OUR GREAT CANADIAN SUMMERS AND FABOULOUS FOOTBALL FALLS WILL BE GONE.

13

I hope TO gets a team, It will put more pressure on the CFL to improve it's weaknesses. and will make the CFL a better game than what it is right now!

14

I don't see the big deal in a game year. Actually, I'd probably end up going if ticket prices weren't obscene. Football is football.

15

No Canadian city will ever get an NFL team...Bills owners are just trying to imrove their barganing position with the city ( they want a new stadium)...Americans think we will only support Hockey...

16

Yes they do want a studium, but dont you think Rogers will make them commit to Rogers Centre for a few years even if its 1 or 2 games a year. Heads burried in the sand cant see whats about to kick them square in the butt. Never again will the Grey Cup be played in Toronto ...

17

Which government?
Toronto city council? The Ontario Government? Federal Government?

Get serious, it’s up to the fans to decide. If the sports fans in Canada don’t want the NFL they won’t go to the games. If they go to the NFL games in droves it proves that Canadians want it.

Bring on the NFL!! It’s up to CFL fans to flock to their games and prove that the CFL belongs in Canada and that Canadians prefer the CFL.
It’s not up to Governments to decide what we want to see!!

18

My memory on this is pretty vague but there was a time maybe 30 years ago when the WFL (?) wanted to set up a team in Toronto and the Federal government prevented it from happening. I think the owner was to be Johnny Basset the newspaper owner. I don't think the Harper government would intervene today nor should it, not that I want to see the NFL in Canada.

An Argo-Cat fan

19

IMO everyone on here has valid points on both sides.

  1. Playing 1 preseason and 1 regular season game here is no big deal IF that's all it is.

  2. Canadians will show they want NFL football because every game will be sold out. Guaranteed.

  3. The leverage for a stadium is huge, but not the basis of the problem. The problem is the Bills will be up for sale it the next few years when Wilson passes. He has already stated it's going to the highest bidder. They will have Americans to compete with as far as bids go, but if you look at the group that can do it, MLSE and Rogers sure have a lot of money and equity. That still doesn't guarntee it happens.

  4. If Rogers/MLSE are successful in getting a team, which by the way, it has to be bought by Ted Rogers and Larry Tannenbaum because NFL teams can't by owned by corporations. They would have to build the stadium themselves because there is no way the gov't gives them a free stadium like the NFL usually expects and gets in the USA.

  5. It is up to the fans to decide how this goes. The problem is there is a huge market ding for NFL football, that regardless of a boycott from CFL fans, will show an NFL team can be supported here. The other to do is what Braley said, boycott everything about Rogers/MLSE.