Bills Preparing To Leave Buffalo?

[Gee!]

Bills could begin annual Toronto games next season
Adam Huras , Canwest News Service; National Post
Published: Thursday, January 31, 2008

TORONTO - The Buffalo Bills will play one regular-season game in Toronto in each of the next five years, The Buffalo News reported Wednesday.

According to the report, which cited league sources, the Bills have finalized an agreement to play eight games in Toronto, including three pre-season contests, from 2008 to 2012.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to discuss the long-rumoured northern excursion on Friday, and a formal announcement could be made in Toronto next week.

Rogers Communications, which had been negotiating to bring the games to Toronto's Rogers Centre, would not comment on the story Wednesday, although one company source told the National Post that the rumoured deal was realistic.

The Bills will likely play their Toronto game in December, after the Canadian Football League season has ended. One report Wednesday suggested the Toronto game would be packaged with the Bills' other seven home games in Orchard Park, N.Y., with season-ticket holders of the Toronto Argonauts, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Bills having priority.

The news, however, appeared to come as a surprise to Argos co-owner David Cynamon.

"I have no idea, I swear," he told TSN yesterday. "I know about the Bills potentially coming here for games, but that's it."

Toronto has been a rumoured destination for the Bills ever since 90-year-old owner Ralph Wilson said the franchise would be sold to the highest bidder.

Ted Rogers, who has expressed interest in pursuing an NFL team with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment chairman Larry Tanenbaum, said in November that an attempt to bring the Bills here permanently was "not the active file."

The Bills, for their part, claimed last fall that they were seeking a game in Toronto to expand the team's fan base and corporate support, while enhancing "the viability and competitiveness of the franchise in Western New York."

They have stressed, however, that interest in Toronto is not part of any willingness to relocate the franchise.

It has been reported an average of 10,000 Canadians attend Buffalo's regular-season home games.

National Post

http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=0df2a452-167d-43f9-84e4-65663af95a34&k=50969

 

[MigratingOsprey]

not that bad of an idea - GB used to play a couple games in milwaukee every year

toronto is only about 2 hrs from buffalo

will be interesting on what they do with the current season ticket holders as far as charging them and what is considered a season

also it could be interesting as new passport rules start to go into effect that could influence even motor travel

 

[TruColor]

Jim Kelly has also come out in support of a new stadium for the Bills.

Something's gonna have to give for the Bills to stay in Buffalo for the long-term.

 

[BigRedRage]

I read alot about this when they first mentioned it, it is more of just spreading the market, all there is in buffalo is the bills and that town.the nfl wont let them go.

 

[earthsci]

I read alot about this when they first mentioned it, it is more of just spreading the market, all there is in buffalo is the bills and that town.the nfl wont let them go.

Tha Sabres. I don't know if the NFL won't let them go or not but I think that Buffalo is where they need to stay. The Bills being in Buffalo and the support that they get is on of the better things about the NFL.

 

[Linderbee]

I would be devastated if the Bills left Buffalo.

 

[ajcardfan]

Most people thought the Browns leaving Cleveland was incomprehensible. I think the Bills will get a new stadium. I'm sure that angle is part of this strategy.

 

[Russ Smith]

I hope they stay they became my 2nd favorite team last year with marshawn and Trent Edwards onboard. I guess being in Toronto wouldn't make much difference to me but it would seem different.

 

[Skkorpion]

Item 1. If the Bills players' wives and kids were asked if they would prefer to live in Buffalo or Toronto, what do you think the overwhelming choice would be?

Item 2. Ralph Wilson has put the team up for sale. If you were the buyer, would you buy the team and keep it there without first getting a new stadium?

Usually, when an NFL team is put on the market, a number of prospective buyers immediately emerge. Have not heard a hint of a single one yet for the Bills. Strange, is it not?

 

[arthurracoon]

I hope the bills stay in buffalo