Death Knell?
Buffalo fans don't like having to contemplate the prospect of the Bills leaving town. So it's no surprise that so many people are putting the best face on the news that Ralph Wilson wants to play one regular-season game in Toronto. You can certainly make the case that moving one game to Canada could strengthen the team financially and help keep it in Buffalo long-term.
But I'm having a hard time seeing this in a positive light. It sounds like the death knell to me. This news comes one week after a report in Toronto that the Argonauts owners are interesting in bringing an NFL team to Toronto. The report also said the Argos people are looking to enlist the support of other CFL owners. This hardly seems like a coincidence to me. People with big pockets are talking about getting a team at the same time Wilson is looking to put his product into Toronto once a year.
They'll be opening the henhouse and inviting the foxes in to frolic. Once you give away a game to Toronto, it opens the door to the Bills moving North. Wilson has been making the case that a team isn't economically viable in Buffalo. With this move, he'll also be helping make the case that the NFL can make it in Toronto. I'm sorry, it's hard for me to see this as a good move. Regionalizing the franchise? Please. We're not talking about putting camp in Rochester.
So what do you think: Is giving a game to Toronto a necessary move to ensure the team's survival in Buffalo? Or is it the death knell, the first step in a move out of town?
-- Jerry Sullivan
Do they wear tutus?
Posted by: Anthony Hargrove | December 11, 2007 at 08:45 PM
The positive side of going to Toronto would be paying a visit to the "Canadian Ballet" on the way home. The Colonie can only provide so much entertainment with their 36 year old grandmothers.
Posted by: ballet enthusiast | December 11, 2007 at 03:40 PM
Has anyone actually thought about dealing with the ridiculous wait at customs/border? It's great to have a cross boarder fan base but you also have to make it convenient for people to cross the border, which it isn't (in either direction).
Posted by: TBird | December 11, 2007 at 03:07 PM
This is not the death knell of the Bills. That occurred years ago. The decline in population, the escalation of NYS taxes and diminishing returns, the minor-league media market, the dwindling middle class who would serve as the foundation for larger companies - who would in turn purchase suites - disappearing, all of these things are playing into the fact that Buffalo (and the other upstate markets) is simply not feasible in today's pro sports market. Toronto is simply a last gasp move by Ralph to bolster the short-term bottom line...but when he passes on, no one is going to pay top dollar for this team & be willing to keep them here for very long without the economy turning around.
Are the fans passionate in BFLO? Sure. They are die-hard, without a doubt. But sheer attendance isn't the measuring stick anymore.
Honestly, when Amherst is bringing in more tax revenue than the entire city of Buffalo, that's a death knell. At this rate, BFLO will be a suburb of Amherst...with no major professional sports team to support. When all we're left with is UB, then those games will start selling out.
Posted by: T-Bone | October 24, 2007 at 02:05 PM
If the Bills leave, you will not be without football. Why not throw your support to the Buffalo Bulls. They look like they are beginning to turn the corner and why is it that Buffalo thumbs its nose at college sports? Why do we act like this and big league UB, Canisius and Niagara? Is the product too inferior to garner our support? Why not support the University at Buffalo. Tickets are cheaper, the stadium is nice enough, and unlike the Bills, Sabres and even the Bisons, they aren't going to relocate anytime soon.
The MAC is a good enough league, has three bowl tie-ins and we have a smart, young coach in Turner Gill. I watched them battle hard against an admitted down Syracuse Orange, but they were in the game until the end, something that in years past was unthinkable.
I remember Alumni Arena PA announcer Duane Walker said many years ago, that the difference between Bills and Bulls is YOU.
Get out there and support the Bulls----they can still win the MAC East division.
Posted by: John | October 24, 2007 at 01:15 PM
Let's say that someday the Bills move to Toronto----permanently. I think Buffalo should replace Toronto in the Canadian Football League---a swap if you will. Has anybody in WNY ever gone to a CFL game in Hamilton or Toronto? I have been to many and in its purest form, it's more exciting than the staid old copycat NFL.
That said, I don't see Toronto getting an NFL team anytime soon. As mentioned by other bloggers, the tax structure is much different in Ontario and Canada than it is in the U.S. The Toronto team would have to build a new stadium, and more importantly, the CFL needs Toronto to stay viable. The Argonauts are like the Yankees of the CFL. They are loved or hated. When the Argos make it to the Grey Cup, CBC gets 4 million viewers, like they did in 2004. In non-Argo Grey Cup games, they get 3.1 million viewers. That is significant. And, starting next year, TSN (the ESPN of Canada) will have the Grey Cup rights, outbidding CBC. Do you think the new network wants a CFL without big market Toronto? No way. As an avid fan of the CFL, Toronto has always been my favorite team, and I would hate to see a CFL without the Argonauts. Of course, ecnomically, Toronto would probably fare much better in the NFL.
Buffalo really is a AAA city. In its day, when Buffalo had 500,000 city residents, things were different. In fact, if you started an NFL today, a lot citis such as Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Green Bay certainly wouldn't have teams, and the Bay Area would have only one team. This is 2007 and Buffalo is more suited for the Buffalo Bisons than the Buffalo Bills.
Even the bandwagon beloved Buffalo Sabres could be in long term trouble. They have the lowest ticket prices (even though they're still overpriced) in the league and it is an area where there is not as much disposable income. Even though I consider the NHL to be a minor league, the Sabres are a few losing years away from being in trouble.
Maybe if Buffalo joined the CFL, they could finally bring a championship to the city (Bisons did rung the ball in 1997,1998, 2004).
Posted by: John | October 24, 2007 at 12:56 PM
I would rather have the Bills move to Toronto than to Los Angeles, San Antonio or some other city thousands of miles away. How many Buffalo Braves fans are following the LA Clippers? At least if the team is in Toronto, I would assume that Buffalo media outlets would cover the team and the games would be broadcast in Buffalo and fans could still go to some of the games if they wished to.
That said, I don't think this is the beginning of the end for the Bills in Buffalo. Playing one game per year (preseason means nothing) is not a bad idea. If you recall, the Green Bay Packers played at least two games per year in Milwaukee for years. I'd rather have the Buffalo/Toronto Argobills play four in Buffalo, four in Toronto than 8 in LA or San Antonio.
Toronto is a great city and I've always been surprised that more WNYers don't root for the Blue Jays as their baseball team. We're much closer to Toronto than the Bronx.
Posted by: John | October 24, 2007 at 12:43 PM
Tax structure in Canada is terrible,
CFL would fight this tooth and nail,
Ralph Wilson has number one in Government Support than any other NFL team.
Parking fees, Events collections a the stadium rental, etc...makes up for the loss of suites.
Posted by: Jim Kelly - Conservative Campaigns | October 24, 2007 at 12:31 PM
There are 5 million people in upstate NY. These are the people who's hard earned money kept the Bills in Buffalo the last time. Play the game in the Syracuse dome.
The NY taxpayer has been the Bills largest supporter. The NYS budget is $4 billion to the negative now and will get worse. Don't come looking for broad NYS financial support when New Yorkers are priced out of the stadium by Canadians. At that point, I would vote to let them go.
Again, regionalize in upstate NY instead. Build a new stadium along the thruway (a new stadium is inevitable). Buf, Roch, and Syr have over 3 million and total upstate has 5 million.
Posted by: john | October 23, 2007 at 08:18 AM
The Bills seem to play as a team with Edwards. All I ever asked for is a team that competes and has a chance to win every week.
I never seen that with JP Losman. I'm sure he could be a good QB with another team that has a good offensive line. JP doesn't need to die in Buffalo. He has potential in other NFL cities, unlike the last three bums:Todd Collins, Rob Johnson and lead foot Drew Bledsoe.
I think the team would head to Los Angeles before it goes to Toronto. I hope NOT.
If the Bills leave, it would just be one more and the possibly the last nail in Buffalo's coffin.
Posted by: James Ziolkowski | October 21, 2007 at 08:18 PM
The question of Buffalo fans being loyal is not the question. This team and community supports them better than any other. The corporate suites and advertising revenue is NOT HERE! How can we can compete and bring in these dollars that other big city's have with the big business backing them? Only wat this team stays here is if Ralph enables it and cares about keeping them here!! The Toronto experiment, in my opinion is to see if they would be a viable option and to see if their is interest in buying them from Ralph even before he dies. If he gets the right offer we are done, in my mind it's the beginning of the end!! RALPH will sell for the most amount possible(being a business man and leaving his family big bucks is all that matters now) and depriving this community that has given him so much. In my mind this is why Ralph sould NEVER be put into the hall of fame. Because all that matters is how much he will leave his family and not about this community. IF I was an owner that long and wanted to leave my legacy I would arrange a deal that allow the Bills to stay here to insure his place as a legend that "cared about the game and the community". How many millions does it take to make your family "set for life??" They allready will be regardless, it's a win-win situation for him if he chooses not to stab this community in the back that has supported him so long. Where would old Ralphie be without the support we have given him to amass his millions through years of appreciation that has grown by KEEPING THEM HERE! How many tax breaks was he given?? How much revenus sharing is enough?? ASK YOURSELF ONE THING???.....HOW MUCH DOES THE BILL'S MEAN TO THIS COMMUNTITY?? THEN ASK YOURSELF, HOW MUCH DO WE MEAN TO RALPH?? ANSWER IS... NOTHING!!! SO IN TURN ...HE DESERVES NO HALL OF FAME. BECAUSE, HE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR "STABBING US IN THE BACK DESSERTING A COMMUNITY" AS HIS LEGACY....TAKE YOUR DIRTY MONEY RALPH!!! BE A SELLOUT, AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT LEAVING A LEGACY OF NOTHING, EXCEPT EMPTY MONEY AND THE ALLMIGHTY DOLLAR. YOU WILL NEVER MAKE THE HALL OF FAME FOR THAT!!!
Posted by: Ralph Wilsons Legacy!! | October 21, 2007 at 06:10 PM
It should be noted that the Rogers Center(formerly the Skydome)is owned lock stock and barrel by the Rogers Communications organization(owners of the Blue Jays and many other corporate entities). It is PRIVATELY OWNED!
Not the city or any level of government.
They are a major player in the same group negotiating for these games with Ralph that wants to bring an NFL team to Toronto and they are free to negotiate any deals they want and do anything they want to the stadium.
Think about it, put aside the emotion and once again refer to Ron and Mark's comments below.
Posted by: RSW | October 21, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Let me add --- before you all attack me - that I grew up in Buffalo, I went to many games at War Memorial and Rich Stadium, and even tho I now live in Baltimore I still root for the Bills and I am flying in for the Ravens / Bills game, with some of my Baltimore friends for the game. GO BILLS.
Posted by: DAVID FROM BALTIMORE | October 21, 2007 at 03:18 AM
My initial reaction was that playing the game in Toronto is OK if it helps expand the fan base and the # of Suites sold...
But - altho skydome has many luxury suites, it also has a significantly lower seating capacity than RWS... will the Bills get a good enough deal from the City of Toronto to RENT the dome such that he makes more from the game up there than he would make playing the game in Buffalo? Whither the parking revenue? And - if the Bills play the game in Toronto, does that still mean Toronto Bills fans will come in for the rest of the games in Buffalo, or will they prefer their one game up there? So does this really help the marketing, or could it backfire? And - don't many Canadians resent Americans pushing there way into their country?
Is this really a "troubled" franchise? In the latest valuation of franchises, the Oakland Raiders had the lowest value. Yes, the Oakland Raiders who moved from Oakland, to LA, and back to Oakland. Is moving the franchise to another city like Toronto or LA really a panacea for ownership? How much more can they really make there without a sweet stadium deal? How much bigger a stadium can be had? Do the Bills need to earn more money to "keep up" with the other teams in the age of parity? Who exactly do they need to keep up with and why? The team is worth $600 million plus now, and RW is making a few $$s on this franchise now... how much $$ does he (or any potential owner) need to be happy? A home playoff games would make more money than a regular season game in Toronto. If the Bills left for greener pastures, how much more will they really make? They will trade a loyal fan base for... for what? If the answer is skybox $$, PSLs, and stadium naming rights, than maybe its time to build a new stadium with all the latest amenities - likr now, while they are still here. Surely we have learned from watching Darcy Regier - don't wait until the end to start negotiating. Have you been in some of the new NFL stadia? I have. Face it, RWS is showing its age - and if the revenue stream that can be generated by the stadium is a problem - build a new stadium with luxury boxes galore, slap on the PSLs, and sell the name... or - like the Colts or the Browns, they will move. Note - in the past, owners moved teams for better stadium deals. That was the only reason. As long as the community supports the franchise to the max, and the stadium deal supports the revenue stream, there is no logical business reason to move the team. And when picking a location to build the stadium, the City and the team need to work together to study the fan base and put the stadium in more accessible to the fan base location - like closer to the city of Buffalo - or somewhere in Buffalo, or just north of Buffalo - near expwys, so the Toronto fans (and Rochester fans) can get there more easily - not out in Orchard Park. And work a deal to make it easier for Canadians to cross the border for games... hey - how about a new (Signature) Bridge - there's a tie-in. Put the stadium near that bridge... and run some on-time AMTRACK and CNR trains to the stadium, encouraging mass transit to the games.
Just some ideas. I'd be interested in your reactions.
Posted by: DAVID FROM BALTIMORE | October 21, 2007 at 03:02 AM
Are people so stupid when they keep mentioning the amount of money Wilson paid for the Bills. Time value of money people!!! $25k back in the 60s is an unheard amount of money to dispose of on such a high risk endeavor. Mr. Wilson has earned his right to hold the team and sell it to the highest bidder, this is what he is rewarded.
The only reason why people feel upset about the team leaving is that they having truely centered their lives around it, so now it might be the time for everyone to get a life!
Posted by: Darry Brant | October 21, 2007 at 01:11 AM
Everyone needs to read the comments posted by Ron below which explains the opportunity costs faced by new owners that Ralph Wilson does not have. That is the issue which will impact what happens to the Bills. I think he knows that if he put it up today, they would be going elsewhere and an 89 year old man would have to deal with an irate community, which would not be his fault. Maybe some of our political leaders could tap that same market to possibly bring that foreign word J-O-B-S to WNY. Now there is an idea. Someone brought up the idea of bringing the Blue Jays to play a couple games in Buffalo, probably wouldn't work because of affiliations but if the Bisons end up with Pittburgh in 2009, that may not be a bad idea.
If it gets us a couple more years in Buffalo I am in favor of them playing a game in Toronto.
Posted by: Mark | October 20, 2007 at 07:31 PM
I also think this is slightly selfish on Ralph's part not to explore the option of selling to someone and lining up someone after his time.
This isn't your average business. Ralph Wilson doesn't own some "office supply company" or some accounting firm. 73,000 people don't watch a "superstar accountant" review records. This is an entertainment, a lifeblood for the people who live here in Buffalo. Community morale is tied to this team. When you ask an entire population of a city for support for 47 years you have an obligation to repay those people whom made your $25,000 investment into a billion dollar asset for all their loyal support.
Posted by: Dan | October 20, 2007 at 06:25 PM
Hey Bills, it's been 7 years since you've made it into the playoffs. How about fielding a competitive team before crying poor.
The Bills had 30,000 fans in the mid 80's when the team was really bad, now the Bills get 73,000 fans when the team is really bad.
That's some pretty hardcore and loyal fans if you ask me. 3 suites ? As anyone approached the smaller businesses in the area about splitting suites per season ? I think everything shold be done locally before pulling something like this and by the sounds of the "business backs the Bills" people, they were in the dark as much as the fans.
Posted by: Dan | October 20, 2007 at 06:15 PM
I used to live in Buffalo, and at that time I was fairly up on the situation in Canada. Paricularly the situation with the CFL. It was my understanding at that time (15 years ago) that Canadian law specificly prohibited the location of an NFL franchise anywhere in Canada in order to protect the CFL. At that time the law also limited the number of Americans that could play for a CFL franchise in order to promote Canadian players. Was I wrong? Or haa the situation changed?
Posted by: Smo | October 20, 2007 at 05:25 PM
I honestly believe if Ralph wanted or thought he could keep the team in Buffalo, he would have done it by now.
One has to look rationally at the current business model. Seat and private box revenue is amongst the lowest in the league and ancillary corporate revenue is miniscule. This is why he recently went to the NFL "suits" for more money with Senator Schumer in tow. They were dragging their feet on the issue till then.
Here is a guy who is the original owner of the team with NO DEBT. How is a local ownership group going to justify a six to seven hundred million dollar debt without doubling or tripling ticket prices along with trying to generate other mammoth revenues from somewhere to make it work. It can't be done and I believe, Ralph knows it!
Posted by: Ron | October 20, 2007 at 04:12 PM
also, by the way, insider, i doubt very much that even if we sold out all games for the highest ticket price in the league, it would have no effect on our long-term viability. The monies made from advertising revenue, corporate boxes and marketshare have a much greater financial impact than does ticket prices, which make up only a small part of team revenues.
Posted by: Dave Winnert II | October 20, 2007 at 02:25 PM
If the Bills play one game a year in Toronto, it's only a matter of time before they would like to play two, or maybe four, a full half of the season. The Bills would undoubtedly make more money from corporate sponsorships and marketshare in Toronto. After a while, why would they want to play in Buffalo at all, really?
I would, however, rather see the team move to Toronto than LA or Vegas. If Ralph can get the people of Toronto to embrace the NFL brand of football, it works out for all of us. A single Canadian football team? That means that the Toronto Argo-Bills are the NATION's team. People throughout Canada with slight to moderate interest in American football would watch this team play. Ratings and advertising revenue would be huge. It would make a compelling case to keep the team in Toronto, as opposed to those western cities, as the money generated for owners (and players) would likely be similar, if not greater. Face it, the Bills will go to the highest bidder when Ralph dies. If he sells it to Golisano (the only REAL potential Buffalo area buyer) playing a few games in Toronto would only help our own marketshare and interest. If not, when he dies, at least there will be some evidence of support and monies for moving it to Toronto, perhaps so much so that a buyer would fork over the cash to bring the Bills there. Either way, we have to accept our fate. I'm for the games in Toronto. Heck, I can see tour buses full of fans making their way up the QEW for gameday already.
Posted by: Dave Winnert II | October 20, 2007 at 02:20 PM
If you think that Buffalo players and coaches are confused now, wait till they go to Toronto and have to learn the 'metric' system. lol
But seriously, Bills fans are being held hostage right now and are forecd to go to see a terrible football team, because if the seats don't sell, Ralph Wilson would move the team.
The stadium still gets filled even with a stinky team that has NO hope of ever making the playoffs.
You want more fans, excitement and people in those seats Ralphy boy, buy yourself a winning team with a winning coach and not some 25th place bum like you have now. The only thing offensive about the Bills offense is Steve Fairchild. It reaks.
This moron has a quarterback with a strong arm and fleet of foot receivers but refuses to thrown the deep ball to test the other teams defense and open up the running game. What a loser!
Ravens 27 Bills 17
Posted by: James Ziolkowski | October 20, 2007 at 02:14 PM
To previous commenters: Green Bay was grandfathered in. Per NFL rules, no more "public" ownership of teams is allowed.
Next time, a little research?
Posted by: Lori | October 20, 2007 at 12:45 PM
I think it is the stupidest thing for people to bring up ownership by the residents of WNY. Our politicians can't do s*^t right, do you really think all of these multiple owners will do any better. What happens when ticket prices do go up inorder to compete and max out the salary cap, are the people of Buffalo (so-called owners) going to start crying about owner greed. Remeber, you now have to answer to people bitching about prices and a poor performing team.
Posted by: Chris | October 20, 2007 at 12:35 PM
Next season is the make or break point for the Buffalo Bills true viability in WNY. The timing of the request for a game in Toronto is designed to allow enough time for the fans of Buffalo to gather together enough support to prove that they really deserve a team.
Buffalo has the lowest ticket prices, per Buffalo Business First "Team Marketing Report says the Bills ... retain the lowest average ticket prices among the National Football League's 32 franchises for the fourth consecutive year."
If the people of Buffalo really want a team then they are going to have to pay. I would like to see the Bills raise their prices to 15-17th highest, to see if the fans are still willing to support a "small market" team. By moving the game to Toronto, it leaves the door wide open for that huge price increase. If the game is a huge sucess (which is expected) then greater demand for tickets will exist. Since the Bills can't increase capacity they will have to severly increase the price to bring demand back into equilibrium. Plus, with the exchange rate so valuable now for Canadians, their demand will be significantly greater.
If the team can still sell-out at the high ticket prices, they won't move, but beware the wheel has started rolling.
Posted by: insider | October 20, 2007 at 12:29 PM
James: Let the fans of the Bills, wherever they live, plus the people of WNY who care to keep and have a team here, pool up money, about $1000 per head, and declare public ownership of the Bills, à la Green Bay.
They do it in Green Bay; we'll do it here, too.
Posted by: Lloyd Marshall Jr. | October 20, 2007 at 09:51 AM
If only Buffalonians went to the games, this wouldn't happen. You still have a huge POTENTIAL fan base in Rochester and the rest of upstate. 5 million- the same as Toronto. These are the people who have been FORCED to subsidize the Bills over the years, with no acknoledgement from Buffalo that the Buffalo Bills are dead. They are now the NY Bills. Most people in Rochester are NOT Bills fans, but we could be. Stop just treating us like a cash cow. More suites were sold to Rochestarians than Buffalonians.
There is only ONE way to save the Bills REGIONALIZE in upstate NY, and build a new stadium in upstate. Let Toronto get their own team. I would be a great rivalry.
Posted by: john | October 20, 2007 at 09:27 AM
Just die Ralph and spare us all the agony of a long gut wrenching process of lies and BS. I went through the whole deal when Montreal lost the Expos over a four-year period and it just plain sucked. I love the Bills and attend games every year but enough is enough if you're going just go for God's sake. For 47 years you have fleeced the community and the fans and now when you die you will not even consider a local ownership option to see if its viable. Just auction it to the highest bidder and if it rips something from the community that is desperately loved, oh well its just business. Please for the sake of my community just die and I hope its slow.
Posted by: steve in the dacks | October 19, 2007 at 11:52 PM
Remember the days when football players didn't care about money or fame but the love of the game???
Alright me either, but i'm told thats how it started.
I do believe there is enough love of football in this country to support two professional leagues.
But instead of league based on money, a league based on the love of football. Thats what Buffalo and other small market cities need, franchises with players who just wanna play, supported by the tax base.
Maybe there would be no tv deals, no big endorsment contracts, but there would be football games and fans to suppor them.
Let the NFL and there big cities have their cocky players and their dollar bills, we'll have our football.
Posted by: carter | October 19, 2007 at 09:33 PM
This really sucks! i know that buffalo is not as profitable as most market and that Regionalizing the market makes sence, but i do belive this is the first step out of buffalo.
You know that the toronto fans will come out to support the games, in hopes of fullfilling our fears and stealing the bills.
Once the Bills get a taste of the money, its over. Tradition, loyalty, and goodwill are worth nothing in the modern NFL.
WNY has spent its paychecks, tax money, time, and emotions on this team, but the only thing that counts is the $$$$$$$.
Posted by: dustin | October 19, 2007 at 09:26 PM
THIS IS THE FIRST NAIL IN THE BUFFALO BILLS COFFIN
The Toronto Bills. That's what you're going to have real soon. After the Bills contract ends in 2008, you'll see actions made to move the Buffalo Bills to Toronto for good.
They must think we're stupid. Joel Giambra is a sellout loser. Buffalo fans are supporting the Bills, look at all the
sellouts of Bills games.
This looks like the end
of the line for football in Buffalo.
The NFL is all about money and Buffalo is running out, fan loyalty or not.
Are you dumb enough to think that Ralph Wilson cares about Buffalo? It's all about the green baby.
Posted by: James Ziolkowski | October 19, 2007 at 06:20 PM
You're right. 1994 is the last time. My bad.
But they do make 2 regular season games and 1 preseason game available in a Gold Package, which I believe, if I am interpreting it correctly, is only available to people who USED to be season ticket holders in Milwaukee.
So it is still somewhat regionalized, in a sense. But they have been sold out for decades anyhow, so it is sort of moot. But call it small regionalization.
Posted by: Blogger, I barely know her! | October 19, 2007 at 04:28 PM
uhhh...the Packers play every game in Lambeau....it's been a while since they played any home games in Milwaukee
Posted by: Phil | October 19, 2007 at 04:10 PM
Re: My Tennessee Titans comment... Sometimes Regionalization does NOT work. Sorry for the typo.
Posted by: Blogger, I barely know her! | October 19, 2007 at 01:30 PM
I feel like this could be perceived as the first step towards loading the moving vans to Toronto, but it also can be a measuring stick.
Green Bay plays 2 regular season games and 1 preseason game in Milwaukee, and it works for them to be able to keep the team in the smallest market of all.
But sometimes Regionalization does work. The Tennessee Titans failed so miserably in Memphis at the Liberty Bowl, while their stadium was built in East Nashville, that they had to play at Vanderbilt Stadium for a full season to even get fans to show up.
Maybe Toronto shows the disdain for the NFL that L.A. shows annually, and Ralph realizes after a season or two that 100% of the games should be played in Buffalo.
Or maybe if there is a push for a new stadium it gets constructed in Batavia, to move it closer to Rochester and lure more Rochester fans.
But yes, if you include Western New York and Southern Ontario up to Toronto, that is a population of almost 7 million people, which is MORE than enough to support a team.
I would hate to see Buffalo lose the team when Ralph passes, but I don't blame Ralph for exploring options to lure coporations to his stadium suites.
Posted by: Blogger, I barely know her! | October 19, 2007 at 01:29 PM