OK GUYS, take your pills and read this!

[THE SLAMMER]

Your reaction?

Just a few links I found guys....



http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080131.BILLS31/TPStory/


http://torontosun.com/Sports/Football/2008/01/31/4803704-sun.html

Thought you would be interested!!!


THE SLAMMER

[okbills]

Your reaction?

This is going to be good!


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080131.BILLS31/TPStory/

I reported all this yesterday. Plus, this leaves out other pertinent details (probably because they are still speculative). This is old news.

http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?t=39011

[indybillsfan]

Here we go, Slammer. The sky is falling, how can this happen, etc, etc. As long as they don't charge Bills season ticket holders for 8 games, and only play 7 at the Ralph, I don't see a big issue here. This is a way to try and keep the Bills in the WNY/Southern Ontario region, it makes good business sense. And it's understandable to me that season ticket holders up there get first crack at things. For the last part of the statement, it appears the league has indicated they do not want to completely usurp the CFL, so I don't fear the Bills moving up there anytime soon. The key to this is whether the Canadian corporations will actually want to buy suites at the Ralph.

Assuming this works, and the Canadian fan base increases, I remian convinced the best long range plan would be to build a new stadium in Niagaa Falls, so current fans and Canadian fas would have access to a new stadium. You could also use it to increase the tourist base.

[ElmwoodFerry]

Your reaction?

This is going to be good!


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080131.BILLS31/TPStory/

If the idea behind this is to broaden the fan base in order to justify the building of a new stadium in Buffalo or Orchard Park, then this is exactly how you do it. Turn the Argos fans into Bills fans. Look, one day when the Federal government wakes up - not too long from now I hope - there is going to be a new bridge from Ft. Erie to Buffalo. The holdup I understand has to do with disagreements between Canada and our Homeland Security Agency about how to handle security arrangements. That bridge will make it much easier for Canadians to get to Bills games and justify the building of that stadium, maybe even using some Canadian money.

This is how it is done. New fans + new bridge = new stadium.

[primetime3]

boy it sure is nice to see another bills fan on here from indiana, too bad you had to be from carmel!!!

[okbills]

If the idea behind this is to broaden the fan base in order to justify the building of a new stadium in Buffalo or Orchard Park, then this is exactly how you do it. Turn the Argos fans into Bills fans. Look, one day when the Federal government wakes up - not too long from now I hope - there is going to be a new bridge from Ft. Erie to Buffalo. The holdup I understand has to do with disagreements between Canada and our Homeland Security Agency about how to handle security arrangements. That bridge will make it much easier for Canadians to get to Bills games and justify the building of that stadium, maybe even using some Canadian money.

This is how it is done. New fans + new bridge = new stadium.

I believe this phrase goes well with your post: cart before the horse.

[BillsFanOntario]

Don't believe it. The story over who gets first rights and the cost of tickets was released by the National Enquirer of Canadian sports media.

[third down shaud]

here's the thing guys, regardless of how you feel about us playing games in canada, once that decision has been made the only option is to offer the seats to canadian fans first.

whats the point of playing a game in toronto if the rogers center (48,000 seats) is going to be filled with wny'ers who made the trip up. the goal of this whole thing is to expand the fan base, and having our fans take a road trip once a year doesn't do that.

[indybillsfan]

boy it sure is nice to see another bills fan on here from indiana, too bad you had to be from carmel!!!

You must be from the South Side of Indy, I'll bet. Trust me, I'm not the typical Carmelite.

[lbbills23]

I reported all this yesterday. Plus, this leaves out other pertinent details (probably because they are still speculative). This is old news.

http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?t=39011

rwhat are you one of those people who is doing jumping jacks saying "everyone, look at me, look at me"

this is news to me, because i didnt see your post, and i usually always read Slammers post becuase they are either really funny, or insightful..sometimes both

[BuffCity916]

I reported all this yesterday. Plus, this leaves out other pertinent details (probably because they are still speculative). This is old news.

http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?t=39011

I saw this was up last night but less than 24 hours is old news??? Hmm...I better get faster on my posting then. ;)

[ozzymetal628@aol.com]

none of you guys must have season tickets...I support ralph for keeping the bills in buffalo but witg all these cheap staff changes and now taking away one of my tickets as a season ticket holder it has pushed me over the edge.

[dlovelo1]

Canadian money will be worth more than US money soon (already is pretty much), so it makes even more business sense than you think.

[THE SLAMMER]

I am sorry if this was already posted, I guess I missed it!

[Pocono Bob]

As a Season Ticket holder I see this as a lose - lose situation FOR ME!!! I already drive 4 1/2 - 5 hours from home to O.P. now! I'm fine w/ that cause I'm supporting OUR TEAM! I couldn't believe the prices I saw for these games. $250/game Canadian, AND you MUST purchase ALL 8 games (5 Reg, + 3 Pre) upfront! I for one can no way afford this rediculous ticket price, AND Bills Season Ticket Holders are LAST to be bale to buy 'em.....

NEXT: Here's Ralph's comment he made towards US, the FANS.

Wilson, asked about the fears of Bills fans that this might be the first step in losing the team to Toronto, said, “They can think whatever they want. I can’t speculate the future.”

Nice Ralph, we'll ALL do just that!

Com'on Jimbo. Lets get it together so that when RW finally passes that we still remian in WNY.

Disgusted . . . . ST Holder

[Inahaze]

However, to take advantage of the priority, the CFL season-ticket holders will have to purchase all eight Bills games at once

Huh - with all the black-outs we have had over the years....we could essentially sell games out befor ethey are avilable - maybe with this marketing move - we could get to the point like other teams that have a waiting list - which essentially is a good thing for business and the economy...

I know a lot of people are frustrated about it - but IMO have failed to look at the big picture and/or the potential this could mean for the franchise and it's stability.

Another thing that gets lost in the hub-bub is that other teams are also following suit - so it's not a Ralph being to cheap, or Ralph trying to make more money thing - it's a league initiative to bette rmarket the game.

In the long run - it will prove to be a good thing IMO.

[THE SLAMMER]

Huh - with all the black-outs we have had over the years....we could essentially sell games out befor ethey are avilable - maybe with this marketing move - we could get to the point like other teams that have a waiting list - which essentially is a good thing for business and the economy...

I know a lot of people are frustrated about it - but IMO have failed to look at the big picture and/or the potential this could mean for the franchise and it's stability.

Another thing that gets lost in the hub-bub is that other teams are also following suit - so it's not a Ralph being to cheap, or Ralph trying to make more money thing - it's a league initiative to bette rmarket the game.

In the long run - it will prove to be a good thing IMO.

I hope you are right!

[billsgirl92]

boy it sure is nice to see another bills fan on here from indiana, too bad you had to be from carmel!!!

Im from Rochester but live in Fishers.....
got something to say about that?

Who cares if he lives in Carmel...get over the "Carmel" stigma....hes A BILLS FAN and thats all that matters!!!!

[okbills]

rwhat are you one of those people who is doing jumping jacks saying "everyone, look at me, look at me"

this is news to me, because i didnt see your post, and i usually always read Slammers post becuase they are either really funny, or insightful..sometimes both

Just a fact Jack. Don't care what you think, really.

[okbills]

I am sorry if this was already posted, I guess I missed it!

Only by about 12 people, but you're a sacred cow here, so no problem.

[lbbills23]

Just a fact Jack. Don't care what you think, really.

dont forget to add a lot of exclamation points so everyone notices you...

[Shaw66]

Thanks, Slammer. Good to see how our friends north of the border are reporting this.

Only problem I have is I'd rather the Bills were at home than in Toronto for a December game with playoff implications. No way we'll have the same home-field advantage in Toronto.

[harmonkillebrew]

If the idea behind this is to broaden the fan base in order to justify the building of a new stadium in Buffalo or Orchard Park, then this is exactly how you do it. Turn the Argos fans into Bills fans. Look, one day when the Federal government wakes up - not too long from now I hope - there is going to be a new bridge from Ft. Erie to Buffalo. The holdup I understand has to do with disagreements between Canada and our Homeland Security Agency about how to handle security arrangements. That bridge will make it much easier for Canadians to get to Bills games and justify the building of that stadium, maybe even using some Canadian money.

This is how it is done. New fans + new bridge = new stadium.

EF, right on. This is an absolutely critical regional push to keep the Bills financially viable. NO ONE will want to buy this franchise and keep it in Buffalo if its not making a profit -- increasing the profile of the Bills in the large Toronto/S.Ontario population is what is needed.

And once the Dems are back in office, Homeland Security will probably loosen up the Canadian border a bit, allowing for a true regional economy and allowing the Bills to have a broader fan base.

The next step, as you say, is to build that new stadium downtown, near the Peace Bridge.

I started a long post last year about the absolute necessity of targeting the S.Ontario/Toronto population. As a life-long Bills fan I'm ecstatic they're finally doing it. ITs the only chance I get to keep watching my BUFFALO Bills for many years to come.

[ElmwoodFerry]

EF, right on. This is an absolutely critical regional push to keep the Bills financially viable. NO ONE will want to buy this franchise and keep it in Buffalo if its not making a profit -- increasing the profile of the Bills in the large Toronto/S.Ontario population is what is needed.

And once the Dems are back in office, Homeland Security will probably loosen up the Canadian border a bit, allowing for a true regional economy and allowing the Bills to have a broader fan base.

The next step, as you say, is to build that new stadium downtown, near the Peace Bridge.

I started a long post last year about the absolute necessity of targeting the S.Ontario/Toronto population. As a life-long Bills fan I'm ecstatic they're finally doing it. ITs the only chance I get to keep watching my BUFFALO Bills for many years to come.

Here is the story I get about the bridge, and since this is all by word of mouth I can't link or substantiate it. Facilities for truck inspection for traffic going both ways are already either built or agreed on for the Canadian side. Inspection for traffic both ways will be handled there. I go across a fair amount and you can see the new construction over there. The holdup for final approval, they tell me, has to do with Homeland Security wanting all truckers finger printed at the border and Canada refusing. (Do they have a law against it? I'm not clear about this.)

Anyway, that is what I hear. But this has got to get done, and when done really does make the border easier to cross. Right now for Bills fans from Canada there are humongous delays going both ways and it has to discourage their buying season's tickets and coming across with any regularity.

[harmonkillebrew]

Here is the story I get about the bridge, and since this is all by word of mouth I can't link or substantiate it. Facilities for truck inspection for traffic going both ways are already either built or agreed on for the Canadian side. Inspection for traffic both ways will be handled there. I go across a fair amount and you can see the new construction over there. The holdup for final approval, they tell me, has to do with Homeland Security wanting all truckers finger printed at the border and Canada refusing. (Do they have a law against it? I'm not clear about this.)

Anyway, that is what I hear. But this has got to get done, and when done really does make the border easier to cross. Right now for Bills fans from Canada there are humongous delays going both ways and it has to discourage their buying season's tickets and coming across with any regularity.

what's the current plan for the bridge? dual span, using the old and a new span? or a complete construction job? i've lost touch since i moved from buffalo.

as if Buffalo doesn't have it hard enough, homeland security has really made this Canadian border issue a problem for regionalization. fingerprinting truckers would be a major hassle.

[bigdingus04]

I bet that if the package of 8 tickets up front goes well, and the first game in Toronto sells out, that will be enough to finally put Ralph in the good graces of the rest of the NFL community again, and he'll be on the HOF Ballot.

[THE SLAMMER]

Thanks, Slammer. Good to see how our friends north of the border are reporting this.

Only problem I have is I'd rather the Bills were at home than in Toronto for a December game with playoff implications. No way we'll have the same home-field advantage in Toronto.

Shaw, I am not totally surprised by the games in Toronto as this was always a market Buffalo never got credit for!

I am surprised that the Buffalo fans will need to enter a lottory to get tickets but I guess it is only fair for Canadian fans.

Shaw, Ralph threw us a curse this time!

[Ron Mexico]

what's the current plan for the bridge? dual span, using the old and a new span? or a complete construction job? i've lost touch since i moved from buffalo.

as if Buffalo doesn't have it hard enough, homeland security has really made this Canadian border issue a problem for regionalization. fingerprinting truckers would be a major hassle.

Here's a solution. Get an early start to cross the bridge. Do it at 8:00 AM or before. There is hardly any traffic then. The Canandian custom officers don't ask as many questions. Sometimes I don't even have to show my ID.

[THE SLAMMER]

Here's a solution. Get an early start to cross the bridge. Do it at 8:00 AM or before. There is hardly any traffic then. The Canandian custom officers don't ask as many questions. Sometimes I don't even have to show my ID.


Just swim across and save the tolls

[okbills]

dont forget to add a lot of exclamation points so everyone notices you...

Thanks, I forgot that point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[b3aStMoDe 23]

Im from Rochester but live in Fishers.....
got something to say about that?

Who cares if he lives in Carmel...get over the "Carmel" stigma....hes A BILLS FAN and thats all that matters!!!!

niiice. im from rochester too:thumbsup:

[indybillsfan]

niiice. im from rochester too:thumbsup:


From Tonawanda originally, moved out here in '93. My kids are brainwashed Bills fans. On Colts Day at the middle school my daughter wears her JP jersey. Couldn't be more proud!

[THE SLAMMER]

From Tonawanda originally, moved out here in '93. My kids are brainwashed Bills fans. On Colts Day at the middle school my daughter wears her JP jersey. Couldn't be more proud!
Do the other kids through stones at them?

[rhinocoach]

seriously you can't think the bridge has anything to do with anything. Ontarians are used to the stupidity of her fuhr's homland security. we cross into the states on an average of 6 times a year be it michigan or n.y. we really are used to stupid waiting times. no this is about money plain and simple. ralph is jealous and pissed other owners get serious money from corperate sponsors. By definition Buffalo is a blue collar town which suggests not alot of head offices which suggests not alot of CEO's haging around sunday trying to fill their time. there is a better way without putting the franchise on the line Ralph just doesn't care and isn't willing to take the time to do a promotional blitz in toronto right.

[bigdingus04]

From Tonawanda originally, moved out here in '93. My kids are brainwashed Bills fans. On Colts Day at the middle school my daughter wears her JP jersey. Couldn't be more proud!

I dated a girl from Tonawanda even though we met in TX. I heard it's like the racist capital of the U.S.... Is it really that bad, and is still that way?

[3 minute warning]

Tonawanda or Texas?

[THE SLAMMER]

I dated a girl from Tonawanda even though we met in TX. I heard it's like the racist capital of the U.S.... Is it really that bad, and is still that way?
Tonawanda? Haaaaaaaaaa

[bobbyb4n6]

I find that a lot of Western NY is ridiculously racist, particularly the white working class 'burbs. I have lived all over the US and it is near the top in my book.

[THE SLAMMER]

I find that a lot of Western NY is ridiculously racist, particularly the white working class 'burbs. I have lived all over the US and it is near the top in my book.
I worked in Tonawanda for 30 years and That is garbage........simply not true and could not be futher from the truth!

[bobbyb4n6]

I grew up in North Tonawanda and my ex-wife is from and lives back in Tonawanda. I have met and dealt with a lot of racists during my time there.

[indybillsfan]

Do the other kids through stones at them?

Sorry Slammer, catching up a little late on this one. They don't have stones thrown at them but they do get weird looks!