Why Bills will play in Toronto
Posted: Sunday October 28, 2007 07:42AM ET
For many fans of the Buffalo Bills, the thought of their team's playing home games in Toronto seems to signal that their worst fears have come true. About 100 miles to the north, with a booming population and economy, Toronto has long loomed over small-market Buffalo as a place for the Bills to relocate. But a plan to play some home games there is being portrayed by team officials not as a threat, but as the best hope for the Bills to remain in western New York. At a meeting, the Bills' owner, Ralph Wilson, asked the other NFL owners for permission to play eight home games in Toronto over five years, beginning next season. The plan calls for one regular-season game annually for the next five years, and one preseason game in 2008, 2010 and 2012.
Rogers Center, Rick Stewart/Getty Images
Comments (38)
there gona move. think about it. they gotta be the smallest market in all the major sports. u got NYC, san diego, and la teams, then buffalo. most ppl dont even no where buffalo is
yankeefan21142 | 10/28/07, 08:14 AM
Report Offensive Commentstay in buffalo.
chipofftheoldblock14220 | 10/28/07, 09:15 AM
Report Offensive CommentGood idea, eh.
sacked92 | 10/28/07, 09:35 AM
Report Offensive CommentWhat's the big deal? One regular season and a few pre-season (aka worthless) games a year? The problem people have, and they need to get over it, is that Toronto is in Canada. If the 49ers were to play a game in SacTown, would people care? No. Dallas in Austin? Texans in SanAntonio? San Diego in LA? No, no, and no. This is a money making, exposure, and marketing scheme. If it's good for the team, it should be good for the fans. If you're a fan, you'd enjoy a 2 hour drive up to Toronto to watch a game. Unless you're a convicted felon and Canada won't let you in, eh.
thisandthat | 10/28/07, 09:35 AM
Report Offensive CommentThe Toronto Bills?? I kinda like the way that sounds. From what I've heard, most of the fans that attend the home games are from Canada to begin with. Plus, you can get better weed.
mentalRay | 10/28/07, 10:24 AM
Report Offensive Commenthope it happens and hope they play the Lions in one of those games
detroitdan1982 | 10/28/07, 10:24 AM
Report Offensive CommentI think it would be a good idea. Toronto is a great city with great and passionate fans.I've thought for years that Toronto should have an NFL team.
Puff | 10/28/07, 10:31 AM
Report Offensive CommentI went to my first NFL game with my brother last year when we went to Detroit to see the San Francisco 49ers play. I enjoyed it and would like to go again to an NFL game. Me and my brother might go to the games regardless of who the Bills play. We both live in Ottawa, Ontario which is 5 hours away.
Toronto is getting bigger and bigger and they have the only Canadian-based team in MLB and the NBA. They need to have an NFL franchise and I hope the NFL realizes this.
The idea that it will kill the CFL is ridiculous. The CFL will be fine. And considering how poorly the San Francisco 49ers have played in recent years, maybe I'll start rooting for Toronto's NFL franchise.
Brighat | 10/28/07, 10:54 AM
Report Offensive CommentToronto Bills
Too bad Buffalo
Husker-For-Life | 10/28/07, 11:15 AM
Report Offensive CommentThis will be Canada's revenge for losing the Quebec Nordiques and the Winnipeg Jets to American cities. They'll have to change the name of the team though. It doesn't make sense in Toronto unless you are renting an apartment there (you people from Toronto know what I'm talking about!). Besides, it's a stupid name anyway.
PopKing | 10/28/07, 12:13 PM
Report Offensive CommentWhat will they change the name too and when will they move? 2010 or 2011 seems about right.
IrishR#1 | 10/28/07, 02:42 PM
Report Offensive CommentI don't know what they will change the name to if they move to Toronto. They were thinking of naming the Toronto Raptors the Towers. How about the Mounties (although I can see a lot of puns there)?
PopKing | 10/28/07, 03:22 PM
Report Offensive CommentCJ that was a great comment., keep it up!
EFB.. JL mr. 5555 | 10/28/07, 05:46 PM
Report Offensive CommentThe Bills will relocate to Toronto upon Mr. Wilson's passing. This will be the only way for the franchise to remain viable, period. The plan to play several "home" games in Toronto over the next several seasons is the team's way of gradually withdrawing from the market.
Rocco218 | 10/28/07, 06:29 PM
Report Offensive CommentToronto deserves an NFL team...whether it would be an expansion franchise or a re-located team makes no difference.Sooner or later,it will happen...whether the CFL accepts it or not.
TenpinTony | 10/28/07, 06:46 PM
Report Offensive CommentThe Toronto Bills? Neah! It doesn't sound right! (DC)
DCruiser | 10/28/07, 07:25 PM
Report Offensive CommentAnd here come the Toronto Bills?...doesn't sound right.
Cheezhead: LET BRETT PLAY! | 10/28/07, 07:36 PM
Report Offensive Commentgood idea, buffalo sucks. hopefully they come to toranto so i can watch them play.
Dooly | 10/28/07, 07:46 PM
Report Offensive CommentSounds like a good idea. Toronto already has teams for every sport. Why not have one for the NFL? Even though they are in the CFL?
Person.Someone23 | 10/28/07, 08:31 PM
Report Offensive CommentHey, why not just call them the argos......then you caould have a cfl franchise in Buffalo and they could be the Bills. Thats all Buffalo need anyway.
Cowboys5217 | 10/28/07, 09:46 PM
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