Bills Stress Regionalization With Toronto Series

[BillsModerator]

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[DVS1]

I believe RALPH, I've got no reason not to. As far as the ticket prices go for the games in TO, you can blame the ROGERS people, they're the ones that set the ticket prices.

[grovelandbillsfan]

What's that Mr. Jones??? You say you have run out of excuses why you can't share revenue with the league because small market teams like the Bills have opened up new streams of revenue?

Maybe if you were part of the NFL 1/4th as long as Ralph Wilson you would have a better understanding of what the NFL is and what it is becoming; also what needs to be done to ensure longterm viability and success of the league as a whole.

Maybe you should look at what happened to Major League Baseball when it was the Yankees vs the saux every year. People stopped watching. Large market teams need small market teams more, it's that simple. No one wants to see Dallas vs Washington or New England vs Pittsburgh every year. They long for the underdogs from little known places.

America loves the Cindarella story, the Giants proved that yet again this year. So did the Jags.

[salofixx]

thank god. he finally out and said it.

I have been screaming at people almost a year long about how a t.o. game will keep the franchise in buffalo.


but there are just too many conspiarcy theorists on here that think this is the movie "major league " for some reason.

[jcmccall]

So how much money will Wilson make off of Stubhub or a similar service when I have something come up the weekend in December the Toronto game is scheduled from 2009 to 2012. This is a complete joke. The sale of Ice Bowl tickets was handled better.

I mean who's working there at OBD....they really need some new people there if they thought this was a fan friendly thing...thus far I see more problems that good with it. To potentially piss off 60,000+ fans who buy tickets....okay.

But Wilson will put a few more bucks in his pocket at our expense....after two 7-9 seasons, that's justified. The amount of loyal this guy demands of us for what he gives us is utterly astounding.

Why even talk about the value of the Canadian dollar in the press conference when the plan is to sell 5 years of tickets this year?

Not only will you have to pay far more to see the team you've followed since you were a kid, but Lind is openly bragging about it. I can't imagine what he'll charge for a Blue.

Lind openly talked about raising ticket prices....***.

[Always Billieving]

Fans who are crying "Ralph is only doing this for a few bucks" just don't get it and they are same people who are opposed to offshoring and outsourcing. Buffalo is not an economically feasible place for an NFL franchise and this is simply whats needs to be done to keep your team. There is no conspiracy so put your pitchfork down, sack up, and watch 1 regular season game per year in Toronto on TV.

Economic conditions change just like anything else and those shouting conspiracy right now are simply opposed to changing with the times. This is a matter market evolution, just like IBM had to make a complete overhaul of its corporate structure and practices in the early-to-mid 1990's to stay alive when many though it was over, the Bills must do the same.

Would you rather watch no games at all, ever, by a team named the Bills? They are still called the Buffalo Bills in Toronto, they still play a majority of their home games in the Ralph, and will play home playoff games at the Ralph.

[DynamicxBillsFan]

Fans who are crying "Ralph is only doing this for a few bucks" just don't get it and they are same people who are opposed to offshoring and outsourcing. Buffalo is not an economically feasible place for an NFL franchise and this is simply whats needs to be done to keep your team. There is no conspiracy so put your pitchfork down, sack up, and watch 1 regular season game per year in Toronto on TV.



They are "tasting" the market response up in Toronto. This team or another team IS moving to Toronto in the near future. Toronto WANTS a NFL team and is not going to share one with Buffalo. Why would they share a team when they can support there own.

If Buffalo cannot support a team (as you agree this region is not economically feasible to do so) you can be assured the deep pockets in Toronto will insist on moving the team so they can control all the revenue.

If we were going to try and broaden our market East of Rochester I would be less suspicious of the intentions.

I am not worried about it either way. It is what it is. We have had a terrible product since the late 90s and now we are going to be playing an additional game on the road. They can have my 4 season tickets for those games as I certainly have no desire to travel to Toronto for a "Toronto NFL experience".

To each his own though. I am happy that some are very comfortable with this arrangement.

[jcmccall]

Fans who are crying "Ralph is only doing this for a few bucks" just don't get it and they are same people who are opposed to offshoring and outsourcing. Buffalo is not an economically feasible place for an NFL franchise and this is simply whats needs to be done to keep your team. There is no conspiracy so put your pitchfork down, sack up, and watch 1 regular season game per year in Toronto on TV.

Economic conditions change just like anything else and those shouting conspiracy right now are simply opposed to changing with the times. This is a matter market evolution, just like IBM had to make a complete overhaul of its corporate structure and practices in the early-to-mid 1990's to stay alive when many though it was over, the Bills must do the same.

Would you rather watch no games at all, ever, by a team named the Bills? They are still called the Buffalo Bills in Toronto, they still play a majority of their home games in the Ralph, and will play home playoff games at the Ralph.

Believe it if you can. This is a very unfriendly move towards the fans. Wilson is telling us that we aren't doing enough, but continues to put a crappy product on the field.

Whatever the economic condition of WNY is...money will always be found to go to games...but if the product continues to decline with bad personnel and front office moves, he shouldn't get our money. Moving to Toronto is the easy buck.

[DynamicxBillsFan]

Believe it if you can. This is a very unfriendly move towards the fans. Wilson is telling us that we aren't doing enough, but continues to put a crappy product on the field.

Whatever the economic condition of WNY is...money will always be found to go to games...but if the product continues to decline with bad personnel and front office moves, he shouldn't get our money. Moving to Toronto is the easy buck.


People want to paint this situation as they see fit but you bring up a valid point. A good product on the field WILL sell out games and luxury boxes on a regular basis. Ticket prices could be steadily raised as the team improved and attracted more fans.

We haven't had a good product since the late 90s yet the stadium attendance has been pretty good. They do this by threatening to move instead of improving the product on the field.

Now ONCE AGAIN instead of improving the team they are trying this cute little arrangement with Toronto. A majority thinks its great because they believe it "will keep the team in Buffalo".

Why not just put a great product on the field??? What is the problem? We don't even have a GM. This org. is a mess and these are just the first steps towards a move. Ralph doesn't want to be bothered with quality of the product. He is just interested in tapping other revenue sources while spending as little as possible to field a NFL team.

[Always Billieving]

Believe it if you can. This is a very unfriendly move towards the fans. Wilson is telling us that we aren't doing enough, but continues to put a crappy product on the field.

Whatever the economic condition of WNY is...money will always be found to go to games...but if the product continues to decline with bad personnel and front office moves, he shouldn't get our money. Moving to Toronto is the easy buck.

That's exactly it, the Bills fans ARENT doing enough to make having a franchise economically viable in Buffalo. This is Ralph WORKING FOR THE FANS believe it or not. I'm sure it was a difficult decision but the right ones aren't always easy.

[DynamicxBillsFan]

That's exactly it, the Bills fans ARENT doing enough to make having a franchise economically viable in Buffalo. This is Ralph WORKING FOR THE FANS believe it or not. I'm sure it was a difficult decision but the right ones aren't always easy.

The fans have supported this team through a huge dry spell. Ralph is NOT doing enough to put a product on the field that will draw more fans and keep fans excited, interested, and willing to support the team. Instead he is tapping another revenue source and not addressing the real issue. The team is terrible and the org. is in shambles.

[nopabillsbacker]

i dont know how you cant say he hasnt tried... look at all the big FA that TD brought in spent alot of money on those guys and how did that work out ??? see it wasnt for lack of trying ... it was bad luck on our part that previously good players didn't pan out in Buffalo...

[cashdude]

Come on guys! Think about things before you post. Is there ONE person who actually believes that Buffalo is a thriving economy and a great place to plant a money making org? Anyone...Bueller....Bueller...

If this was about Ralph lining his pockets he would have moved the team long ago. Wake up people!!! This guy is on your side.

[indybillsfan]

The fans have supported this team through a huge dry spell. Ralph is NOT doing enough to put a product on the field that will draw more fans and keep fans excited, interested, and willing to support the team. Instead he is tapping another revenue source and not addressing the real issue. The team is terrible and the org. is in shambles.


It is not about the fans sitting in the bleachers. UIt is about getting more luxury suites, corporate bucks, etc It is about setting things up to be financially viable for the next owner, so when Ralph passes away the Jonses and Snyders will not pressure any new owner to move the franchise because it doesn't make enough bucks to share. Sure Ralph will make more $$, but he IMO is also trying to make it possible for whomever the new owner is to keep the Bills in WNY. Could the Bills eventually move to Toronto? Maybe. But then instead of driving to Orchard Park you'll drive to Toronto. Could you make the drive to San Antonio if they move there?

[nopabillsbacker]

man i already have to drive an hour and 20 mins... i dont really wanna have to drive 3hr 20mins every other week...

[indybillsfan]

man i already have to drive an hour and 20 mins... i dont really wanna have to drive 3hr 20mins every other week...

That's where some innovative, regionalization thought needs to happen. Light rail, rapid transit, streamline border crossings, etc. Brandon hit it right on the head, this could be used as a model for an overall regionalization of the WNY/Southern Ontario areas.

[DynamicxBillsFan]

It is not about the fans sitting in the bleachers. UIt is about getting more luxury suites, corporate bucks, etc It is about setting things up to be financially viable for the next owner, so when Ralph passes away the Jonses and Snyders will not pressure any new owner to move the franchise because it doesn't make enough bucks to share. Sure Ralph will make more $$, but he IMO is also trying to make it possible for whomever the new owner is to keep the Bills in WNY. Could the Bills eventually move to Toronto? Maybe. But then instead of driving to Orchard Park you'll drive to Toronto. Could you make the drive to San Antonio if they move there?

You STILL have to put a GOOD PRODUCT on the field. What part of that do people not understand. You will NOT sell luxury suites to Toronto businesses with garbage on the field. They aren't going to make the trip down here to see what we have been seeing for the past decade. This is all about tasting the Toronto market for a move. Toronto wants there own team they do not want to share a team with Buffalo.

I am so tired of hearing the "its easier to drive to Toronto then -Insert city in CA here-". So thats how it is? We should be thankful? I think most of the people that make these comments are not season ticket holders. I won't support this team if they move out of town.

It will be easier for me to "make the trip down the I90, not worry about the border, bridges, customs, inability to tailgate etc. to watch the Browns play". Why would I support a Toronto team?

[indybillsfan]

You STILL have to put a GOOD PRODUCT on the field. What part of that do people not understand. You will NOT sell luxury suites to Toronto businesses with garbage on the field. They aren't going to make the trip down here to see what we have been seeing for the past decade. This is all about tasting the Toronto market for a move. Toronto wants there own team they do not want to share a team with Buffalo.

I am so tired of hearing the "its easier to drive to Toronto then -Insert city in CA here-". So thats how it is? We should be thankful? I think most of the people that make these comments are not season ticket holders. I won't support this team if they move out of town.

It will be easier for me to "make the trip down the I90, not worry about the border, bridges, customs, inability to tailgate etc. to watch the Browns play". Why would I support a Toronto team?

Yes, we all want a good product. And the past two years we are getting ourselves out from under the Donahoe regime, which set us back quite a bit. We have been in the hunt until very late in the season the past two years, which is a lot more than many franchises can say. These things are cyclical; New England stunk for most of the 90's but look at them now.

I do agree it will be interesting to see how many people will buy tickets up in Toronto at the price they're asking. But face reality; it will be harder and harder for Buffalo alone to support a team with the greediness of all the other owners in the league. At this point 7/8ths of a loaf is better tha none. I could still root for a regional team that played some in the Ralph and some in Toronto. I 'd be with you if they moved out of the area; then they are no longer the team I grew up with.

One lsst point. Big corporate owners probably copuld car less about the prroduct on the filed. They would buy suites to entertain clients, and not out of rabid rooting interests for their team. That's why all the Super Bowl tickets go to fans that could care less about football.