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Why the NFL Won't Let a Toronto Franchise Happen There has long been rumors that the NFL was going to expand beyond its borders to larger international cities like Toronto. Whether that meant moving a team like Buffalo or expanding, there is no doubt that we will see a team outside the U.S. sometime in the future. We don't think it will be in Toronto however and for a multitude of reasons. B.C. Lions President Bob Ackles spells it out: "In my mind a team could be successful in Toronto, Ackles told Sun Media. But it would take (away) southern Ontario and immediately kill Toronto and Hamilton and therefore it would kill the Grey Cup and the CFL. I don't think there's any question about that."" The CFL is very important to the NFL. It exists as a defacto minor league and a logistical compliment to the NFL. Further, the NFL has had a few recent opportunities to move or expand into Toronto, selected to go elsewhere (in the U.S.) | Why the Boston Patriots Became  Became the New England Patriots The Boston Patriots struggled from 1964 to 1969, posting winning records in only two of six seasons. The Boston Patriots joined the NFL in 1970, establishing its home in Foxboro, Mass. Because the team played its games outside of Boston, the franchise was renamed in 1971 as the New England Patriots to appeal to a greater number of fans (even though Boston fans resoundingly disliked the idea for the first few years). In fact the Patriots had a slow start in the NFL, winning no more than seven games a season from 1970 to 1975.The New England Patriots made a remarkable turnaround in 1976, finishing with an 11-3 win-loss record and earning a wildcard berth to the playoffs under head coach Chuck Fairbanks. The New England Patriots have won three championships in recent years and are now considered the most dominant team of this century. The Patriots now attract fans from all over New England, including Mass, CT, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire!  |
Playing in Toronto Simply changing the name only starts this process. Until we can build the new stadium (and I'll get to that in a minute) we should play more games and maybe up to HALF the pre-season AND regular season games in Toronto's Rogers Center (Skydome) with the other half being in Orchard Park. One or two games a year in Toronto is a start, but not enough. We need to attract and lock in the Eastern Ontario part of the fan base, which won't happen with limited exposure to the Toronto/Hamilton media market. Buffalo fans shouldn't get emotional about losing some local home games (for now); it's a smart investment (in the long run). Building a New Stadium Once the fan base has been solidified, we can then build one of the biggest, most modern domed stadiums in America, with loads of parking, state-of-the-art concessions and skyboxes, right down the road in Niagara County. The Orchard Park lease expires in five years. By then, the money and the fans (U.S. & Canadian) will be here! Any new or potential owner would be crazy to entertain a move at that point! A stadium in Western Niagara County will be a short drive for much of Southeastern Ontario and no more than 30 minutes further for Western New York fans. The Niagara Bills will truly be positioned as a team at the center of the Niagara Region, further solidifying an international fan base. Putting a waterfall in the stadium we be a nice touch as well! Buy Niagara Bills Merchandise  Click Here |
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