Bills Playing in Toronto

[Hazman]

http://www.680news.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20080130_172531_5280

NFL coming to Toronto for more games than first expected

Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 05:25 PM
By: 680News staff

Toronto - The NFL is coming to Toronto for more games than first expected.

The Fan 590 has learned that a deal has been struck for the Buffalo Bills to play three preseason and five regular season games at the Rogers Centre.

That's for the 2008 season beginning in the fall.

The NFL commissioner is expected to make the announcement on Friday ahead of the Superbowl this weekend.

The agreement apparently ensures that the bills game dont conflict with the CFL schedule.

Rogers Communications is not commenting about the report.


__________________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Apparently, priority goes in the following order.

1. Toronto Argo Season Ticket Holders/ Hamilton Ti-Cat Season Ticket Holders
2. Buffalo Bills Season Ticket Holders
3. Lottery System

You also need to purchase the tickets for all 8 games up front, not on a year by year basis.

So for people that want to go, it is like paying for an extra set of season tickets now, but not getting all the games until the 5 years is up.

C

[Run Lynch Run]

Picket!!!!!!

[FrewsburG]

This makes me sick!!!

[shaunta53]

its not for the entire 2008 season, its for 2008 and beyond....

[FrewsburG]

its not for the entire 2008 season, its for 2008 and beyond....

Are you saying that it will be 5 total games over the next 5 years???

[bumbles247]

For the love of God people, we're NOT playing 5 games in Toronto this year! It's 5 regular and 3 preseason games over the next 5 years starting this year. Get a grip already!

[shaunta53]

Are you saying that it will be 5 total games over the next 5 years???

YES....

and 3 preseason games...

[theBrooklynBuffalo]

It's amazing how some think it will be three preseason games next year when we only get 2 home any way.

[Run Lynch Run]

Still thats 5 games taken away from the Buffalo faithful...

What a crock...

[shaunta53]

Still thats 5 games taken away from the Buffalo faithful...

What a crock...

Ill give TO 5 games if it means Buffalo staying for the next 5 years...

[transplantbillsfan]

This is not that big a deal. It translates to one regular season game a year and less than one preseason game a year. The NFL is just trying to expand itself into more of a worldwide sport. At least Buffalo fans have the opportunity to actually go to these games. Just think about the San Diego/ New Orleans game happening next year in London. New Orleans loses its home game and I don't know if there is a team in the NFL that has been as important to its city in the last 2 years as the Saints were (although it was more last year than this year). It will be fine, the Bills will be in Buffalo for a long time to come... think of the fans the team may draw from Canada as the result of this.

[fonz92004]

The AVERAGE ticket price was estimated to be $250 each

So....if you and your buddy want to go:

250 * 2 * 8 = $4000.00

Average for 2 seats for a whole season last year (10 games) = $1100

(assuming preseason is the same price as regular season, like it currently is)

Wowsers.

[stevieb823]

Yes, it translates to 1 reg game and 1 pre season game.....my question is though....as a seasons ticket holder, what happens to us....do we get tickets for the games in Toronto without paying through the roof or seeing a big increase in our seasons tix price cus of the toronto games....I will be ticked off if i have to pay more for games in Toronto, even though i am canadian this does not make me very happy. i love going to Buffalo for the games...

[shaunta53]

Yes, it translates to 1 reg game and 1 pre season game.....my question is though....as a seasons ticket holder, what happens to us....do we get tickets for the games in Toronto without paying through the roof or seeing a big increase in our seasons tix price cus of the toronto games....I will be ticked off if i have to pay more for games in Toronto, even though i am canadian this does not make me very happy. i love going to Buffalo for the games...

Bills season ticket holders are 3rd in the pecking order following Argos and Hamilton season ticket holders..

[bufftown82]

i really dont think its much of a big deal. people are acting pretty much like a child with a toy. i believe its for the best of the team.

[RoCkPiLe23]

Hmmm looks like I will not be buying the Toronto package. Speaking as a starving college student I have enough trouble getting my money together for season tickets in the rockpile every year.

[!?AppalachianST!!?]

http://www.680news.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20080130_172531_5280

NFL coming to Toronto for more games than first expected

Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 05:25 PM
By: 680News staff

Toronto - The NFL is coming to Toronto for more games than first expected.

The Fan 590 has learned that a deal has been struck for the Buffalo Bills to play three preseason and five regular season games at the Rogers Centre.

That's for the 2008 season beginning in the fall.
The eight games will be played over a span of five years.
The NFL commissioner is expected to make the announcement on Friday ahead of the Superbowl this weekend.

The agreement apparently ensures that the bills game dont conflict with the CFL schedule.

Rogers Communications is not commenting about the report.


__________________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Apparently, priority goes in the following order.

1. Toronto Argo Season Ticket Holders/ Hamilton Ti-Cat Season Ticket Holders
2. Buffalo Bills Season Ticket Holders
3. Lottery System

You also need to purchase the tickets for all 8 games up front, not on a year by year basis.

So for people that want to go, it is like paying for an extra set of season tickets now, but not getting all the games until the 5 years is up.

C

Your forgot to mention this fact!! I thought you were saying three preseason and 5 regular season games next year. Its total of 8 games over the next 5 years.

[LeDee]

I think the fact that the Bills will give up one game in December, possibly the last home game of the schedule, each year to Toronto stinks.

I think it's a slap at the loyal fans that Buffalo still has left after 9 years of no playoffs.

I understand the point that they're doing it for money, but if we're gonna have a team run with a shoestring budget anyway, what does a few extra corporate sponsorships really matter...8-8, 7-9, no playoffs is still no playoffs...

[BillsFanOntario]

I'd buy that package. Not a season ticket holder anymore though.

[mcm902]

I think the fact that the Bills will give up one game in December, possibly the last home game of the schedule, each year to Toronto stinks.

I think it's a slap at the loyal fans that Buffalo still has left after 9 years of no playoffs.

I understand the point that they're doing it for money, but if we're gonna have a team run with a shoestring budget anyway, what does a few extra corporate sponsorships really matter...8-8, 7-9, no playoffs is still no playoffs...

potentially the difference between the team leaving and staying.

[SmokeyTheBear]

ive been a season ticket holder for the past 5 years and i better not have to pay for the games that are in toronto. i will not go to canada, canada sucks.

[mcm902]

ive been a season ticket holder for the past 5 years and i better not have to pay for the games that are in toronto. i will not go to canada, canada sucks.

you don't have to. you have the option to, assuming their not sold out to the canadian buyers.

[Happy Lee]

Yeah!!! **** those Canadian Bills fans and the money they're willing to spend on the team!!! Let's just let the Bills die in Buffalo!

[LeDee]

potentially the difference between the team leaving and staying.

Say it as much as you want, I don't believe it. How much more money will the Bills get from this??

[mcm902]

Say it as much as you want, I don't believe it. How much more money will the Bills get from this??

who knows? i won't pretend to know.

but if they can get canadian corporations to start buying more luxury suites in buffalo, potentially a significant amount of revenue.

it doesn' seem to me that the purpose is the added revenue of one game. it's the added revenue of adding an entire additional city as a fan base. a city that is a lot bigger with a lot more money.

[fonz92004]

....well let's just look at the seat revenue from one game..

55,000 (Skydome seating at a min) * 250 = $13, 750,000

70,000 RWS * 50 = $ 3,500,000

Difference roughly $10 million + luxury boxes - some parking revenue

(concessions are equaled out because of the difference in fans, even though the prices will be higher in Toronto..)

SO, $10 million for one game...just seat revenue.

[BrutallyHonest]

potentially the difference between the team leaving and staying.


NO WAY!!! RW will be gone before this deal ever runs it course.

At that point, the new owner(s) will either be 100% committed (Kelly's group) to the Bills in Buffalo and a WINNING team (that would be a refreshing change of policy) OR the new owner(s) will want to "break this silly agreement" so they can move the team.

For ANY Bills fan who really wants to keep the Bills in Buffalo. Grow a backbone and a set of stones and DEMAND ownership put a winner on the field that the entire WNY community can be proud of and support. STOP giving this owner a pass on his woefully inept leadership/ownership of this franchise and DEMAND a Super Bowl cailber competative product on the field.
Allowing RW to put losing teams on the field year after year after year and blindly supporting them without question so he won't threaten to move the team is gutless, spineless and wimpy.

GET SOME GUTS! Stand up and DEMAND a winner on the field or RW will never put one there with any consistancy and it will SURELY BE THE DOOM of this fraanchise in Buffalo.

Sometimes you just have to "SUCK IT UP" and stand your ground and let the chips fall where they may. I think this is one of those times, in Buffalo, with this floundering franchise.

[POZitive]

For ANY Bills fan who really wants to keep the Bills in Buffalo. Grow a backbone and a set of stones and DEMAND ownership put a winner on the field that the entire WNY community can be proud of and support.

GET SOME GUTS! Stand up and DEMAND a winner on the field or RW will never put one there with any consistancy and it will SURELY BE THE DOOM of this fraanchise in Buffalo.

Sometimes you just have to "SUCK IT UP" and stand your ground and let the chips fall where they may.

How do you suppose this be done?

[BEASTMODE_23]

LOL, if it was 5 games this yr I would tell them to keep my deposit and Im done with the team.

[LifelongBillsFan]

Hey! This could mean that the Bills are committed to spending another five years in Buffalo (even at 7 games a year). This is good news to me. The LA Bills would not commit to spending one game a year in Toronto!! Five more years of BUFFALO Bills sounds good to me!!

[dqw 87]

I'd love to buy the 5 regular season games. But the thought of paying at least $500. per,for tickets(not counting all the extras!) for 3 preseason games, that could be 4 or 5 years from now sounds insane to me. I pay $1200 now for two front row seats to 8 regular season tickets and 2 preseason tickets played this year! That would amount to $1500. for 3 preseason games only, sitting God knows how far up and God knows what year they are played in? That sounds logical.

[Wiggy1975]

For those that don't understand the CFL and the Bills pecking order.

1. Toronto Argos Season Ticket Fans- 3 (actual fans with season tickets)+ 100 Businesses that will purchase season tickets next week to ensure rights to Bills tickets + 1000 douche bags that will buy Argos season tix tomorrow and claim to have been Argo fans since long before Flutie left. Total- Give or take 10,000

2. Tiger-Cats fans- 11 Actual season ticket Holders (only 4 of which could possibly handle the $250/game) Businesses that will buy Bills Tix based on past season tickets- 0 (no way Toronto's getting Hamilton's money) Total-8 tickets based on 2/per holder

3. Bills season ticket fans that will buy- Incalcuable- depends on opponent/ strength of dollar/ time of year- If the game is late in the season against an interesting opponent with a weak American dollar ($1USD=$1.15CD or more) then more might make the trip and actually enjoy a home game on the road but we'll see.

Either way- Bills fans won't be shorted any tickets and the only way the CFL was gonna open their doors was to ensure their Season ticket numbers gotta a significant boost hence the order.

[Thurman Kelly]

I will not buy the Toronto package for the simple reason that the Skydome sucks and the atmosphere of football played there will also suck (no tailgate, no field house, closed roof, seats far from the sidelines, lame Canadian fans (and yes, I'm from Canada), etc). If season ticket holders have to buy the Toronto games as well as Buffalo, I'll give up my season tickets. If not, I'll keep them and only go to the games in Buffalo.

[czech54]

....well let's just look at the seat revenue from one game..

55,000 (Skydome seating at a min) * 250 = $13, 750,000

70,000 RWS * 50 = $ 3,500,000

Difference roughly $10 million + luxury boxes - some parking revenue

(concessions are equaled out because of the difference in fans, even though the prices will be higher in Toronto..)

SO, $10 million for one game...just seat revenue.


FYI... ticket revenue is split 60/40 between the home team and the away team.

and I'm sure that toronto is not letting the bills play there for free.

[Hazman]

and I'm sure that toronto is not letting the bills play there for free.

The owner of the stadium (Rogers) would likely not charge full price for them to play, as they are the people that would most likely be the ones to being a team to Toronto and they would want to stay in favour with the NFL.

Currently, their deal with the Toronto Argos is basically a rent free agreement, but the stadium gets 100% of the concessions.

C

[bigdingus04]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3223161

NFL reportedly set to OK Bills' regular-season game in Toronto

ESPN.com news services

Updated: January 30, 2008, 10:11 PM ET

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was expected to announce plans Friday for the Buffalo Bills to play an annual regular-season game in Toronto, starting this year.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen first reported the plans on Jan. 20.
The announcement, to come during Goodell's state of the league address during the Super Bowl festivities in Glendale, Ariz., would make the Bills the NFL's first team to play annual regular-season games outside the United States.
The Bills proposed the plan at the NFL owners meetings in October as part of their desire to expand their market to Toronto, Canada's largest city and financial capital, and located about a 90-minute drive from Buffalo.
Under the team's proposal, the Bills would play some preseason games and one annual regular-season game at the downtown Rogers Centre -- a domed stadium with a retractable roof -- through 2012.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy declined comment, but noted that the Bills' plans to play in Toronto will be among the topics addressed during Goodell's speech.
The Bills weren't immediately available for comment.
A delegation of executives representing the Toronto Blue Jays and the Rogers Centre were scheduled to travel this week to meet with NFL officials at the Super Bowl.
CFL commissioner Mark Cohon is on board with the NFL playing games in his territory.
"I've been having good conversations with the league on this," Cohon told The Associated Press. Cohon, who is returning to Toronto after a brief vacation, added he'll wait to comment further until after Goodell makes his announcement.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.



This is good news. 5 more years of Bills football in Buffalo.

[The Wolf]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3223161

NFL reportedly set to OK Bills' regular-season game in Toronto

ESPN.com news services

Updated: January 30, 2008, 10:11 PM ET

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was expected to announce plans Friday for the Buffalo Bills to play an annual regular-season game in Toronto, starting this year.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen first reported the plans on Jan. 20.
The announcement, to come during Goodell's state of the league address during the Super Bowl festivities in Glendale, Ariz., would make the Bills the NFL's first team to play annual regular-season games outside the United States.
The Bills proposed the plan at the NFL owners meetings in October as part of their desire to expand their market to Toronto, Canada's largest city and financial capital, and located about a 90-minute drive from Buffalo.
Under the team's proposal, the Bills would play some preseason games and one annual regular-season game at the downtown Rogers Centre -- a domed stadium with a retractable roof -- through 2012.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy declined comment, but noted that the Bills' plans to play in Toronto will be among the topics addressed during Goodell's speech.
The Bills weren't immediately available for comment.
A delegation of executives representing the Toronto Blue Jays and the Rogers Centre were scheduled to travel this week to meet with NFL officials at the Super Bowl.
CFL commissioner Mark Cohon is on board with the NFL playing games in his territory.
"I've been having good conversations with the league on this," Cohon told The Associated Press. Cohon, who is returning to Toronto after a brief vacation, added he'll wait to comment further until after Goodell makes his announcement.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.



This is good news. 5 more years of Bills football in Buffalo.

Speaking as a UK based Bills fan, the only thing that sucks about this is that it means the Bills are unlikely to ever get a game in London. :xxv:

I know that is really good news for all of you in WNY, and really I think it is the best for Bills fans, but, man I really would love to see the Bills over here!

[erak]

ive been a season ticket holder for the past 5 years and i better not have to pay for the games that are in toronto. i will not go to canada, canada sucks.

No disrespect intended, but I don't think the Bills want you, or me, there either. They are hoping for a newly developed fanbase, and letting Bills fans who go to games all the time get first dibs defeats that purpose.

[erak]

....well let's just look at the seat revenue from one game..

55,000 (Skydome seating at a min) * 250 = $13, 750,000

70,000 RWS * 50 = $ 3,500,000

Difference roughly $10 million + luxury boxes - some parking revenue

(concessions are equaled out because of the difference in fans, even though the prices will be higher in Toronto..)

SO, $10 million for one game...just seat revenue.

I think the T.O. business and civic leaders are guaranteeing the Bills a certain level of revenue, and then keeping the profits beyond that.

Like the NHL did w/ the Ice Bowl- they bought the game from the Sabres at a premium and sold it.