NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

With the recent news of CFL executives rumoured to be searching for an NFL franchise, I wonder if it is actually possible for an NFL team to end up in Toronto. I don't think there is any doubt regarding the potential market, as Toronto is one of the largest cities in North America, however, there seem to be many questions that need answering... Would the Rogers Centre be a suitable facility to house an NFL franchise, or would a new stadium have to be built? Would a Toronto team be able to secure a lucrative TV deal? What about the CFL? Would an NFL franchise completely ruin the CFL, or could the two co-exist?

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

The Bills are trying to play a game per year in Toronto starting in the next few years, so if that goes well I don't see why not unless the CFL can somehow block it.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

God I hope not. All we'd get on TV across the country is the Bills...

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

How are they going to work expansion in with 32 teams? It seems like a pretty good numbers set up right now, adding more teams is just going to make things unbalanced. I realize leagues aren't necessarily against that but I don't see the need to expand at the moment.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

Not going to happen without a new stadium. NFL wants 80000 seats but the Skydome (Roger's Centre... whatever) only seats 55000. Apparently they can rig something for an annual game with temporary seating to bring it close to 80 but it won't be good enough for a permanent team.

I live in Toronto and would love to see it but we will all be dead before there is an NFL team here. Godfrey has been obsessed with this for over 20 years and it's no closer to happening now then it was 20 years ago.

I would imagine there are a few U.S. markets that would see a team long before a Canadian city.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

I'm content waiting another 25 years for one.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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With the recent news of CFL executives rumoured to be searching for an NFL franchise, I wonder if it is actually possible for an NFL team to end up in Toronto. I don't think there is any doubt regarding the potential market, as Toronto is one of the largest cities in North America, however, there seem to be many questions that need answering... Would the Rogers Centre be a suitable facility to house an NFL franchise, or would a new stadium have to be built? Would a Toronto team be able to secure a lucrative TV deal? What about the CFL? Would an NFL franchise completely ruin the CFL, or could the two co-exist?

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1. It is possible and I hope it happens. Rumour is that the Bills are going to move once Ralph Wilson passes on.

2. Toronto would be a great city for an NFL franchise. I'm not just saying that because I live here and want one. We obviously love the NFL, and our CFL attendance is so poor because we are exposed to the possibility of American football.

3. The Rogers Center would have to be renovated, but I would love a new outdoor stadium to replace it. The Rogers Center (I hate typing that, it will always be the SkyDome) is an old piece of crap.

4. Regarding a lucrative TV deal, I have no doubt that stations in Canada would pony up to buy the rights to games.

5. Yes, an NFL franchise in Toronto would pretty much ruin the CFL. Except for maybe Saskatchewan lol.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

The Skydome was built 20 years ago. Do you really think it's time for a new building? New York has 9 professional sports teams and none of them had had a new building in 25 years.

The NFL is not adding an expansion team. And since Toronto wouldn't help American advertisers and ratings (I assume?) I can't see it happening.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

Just have the Maple Leafs remove their ice skates...

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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5. Yes, an NFL franchise in Toronto would pretty much ruin the CFL. Except for maybe Saskatchewan lol.

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While I agree that this is a natural expectation, I believe that any deal would include provisions requiring the Toronto Polar Bears (I hope that's the name) to promote the CFL.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

Is this whole idea behind this to let Ricky Williams back into the NFL while smoking weed???

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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The Skydome was built 20 years ago. Do you really think it's time for a new building? New York has 9 professional sports teams and none of them had had a new building in 25 years.

The NFL is not adding an expansion team. And since Toronto wouldn't help American advertisers and ratings (I assume?) I can't see it happening.

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Someone said that the Dome seats 55,000. If - and that's a big if - Toronto gets a team it would need renovations. Maybe I was wrong in calling it an old piece of crap but it needs work. Hopefully a new outdoor stadium is built.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

Anyone else puzzled as to how Toronto could possibly get a team before Los Angeles??

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

I think if it happens it would be a team like Buffalo moving and not an expansion team. I doubt it would happen anytime soon though. It looks like their focus right now is following the NBA's blueprint with globalization and getting games in Europe and I'd assume Asia in the next couple of years. Plus don't forget that LA currently doesn't have a team.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

LA awarded next NFL franchise. Franchise soon leaves LA for Toronto.
LA again awarded next NFL franchise. Franchise soon leaves LA for London.
LA again awarded next NFL franchise. Franchise soon leaves LA for Beijing..........

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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5. Yes, an NFL franchise in Toronto would pretty much ruin the CFL. Except for maybe Saskatchewan lol.

[/ QUOTE ] <font color="green"> GO RIDERS! </font>

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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Anyone else puzzled as to how Toronto could possibly get a team before Los Angeles??

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I'd be surprised if Toronto got a team, but it's the 5th largest market in North America. It's not that crazy.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

T-God,
Kerry Joseph has teh ghey imo.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

Toronto won't get a team because the TV ratings would be awful in the states. The NFL doesn't really care about how many people show up for the games, it's all about TV ratings. A foreign team, even in Canada, would kill the TV ratings for every game they were involved in.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

If they had to build a new stadium, where would they put it? I heard that the 49ers are going to be building a new stadium in the suburbs (Freemont, I believe?) Could it work if Toronto built a stadium in Vaughan or Mississauga or something? I just don't see a spot in the city unless the skydome was knocked down... As for television, how would a Toronto team be able to secure a national tv deal? And in terms of the CFL, could there be some sort of affiliation between the two leagues? Like having the CFL the official farm league of the NFL?

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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Anyone else puzzled as to how Toronto could possibly get a team before Los Angeles??

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I am.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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If they had to build a new stadium, where would they put it? I heard that the 49ers are going to be building a new stadium in the suburbs (Freemont, I believe?)

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The As are going to Fremont. The 49ers are going to Santa Clara.

But the distinction between playing in the actual city and playing in the suburbs is arbitrary. The Redskins, Cowboys, Jets, Giants, Patriots, and Cardinals (and probably several more) all play in a "suburb" of a main city.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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Toronto won't get a team because the TV ratings would be awful in the states. The NFL doesn't really care about how many people show up for the games, it's all about TV ratings. A foreign team, even in Canada, would kill the TV ratings for every game they were involved in.

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I really doubt this. The other sports manage with teams in canada, and I think people are more inclined to watch an out of marked football team than any other sport.

If a team from canada was good, I think people would be happy to watch them. If they sucked, I don't think they would get lower ratings than the sucky teams do now.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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5. Yes, an NFL franchise in Toronto would pretty much ruin the CFL. Except for maybe Saskatchewan lol.

[/ QUOTE ] <font color="green"> GO RIDERS! </font>

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SHIP SHIP

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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Toronto won't get a team because the TV ratings would be awful in the states. The NFL doesn't really care about how many people show up for the games, it's all about TV ratings. A foreign team, even in Canada, would kill the TV ratings for every game they were involved in.

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I really doubt this. The other sports manage with teams in canada, and I think people are more inclined to watch an out of marked football team than any other sport.

If a team from canada was good, I think people would be happy to watch them. If they sucked, I don't think they would get lower ratings than the sucky teams do now.

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The ratings for Toronto sports teams are much lower than they would be if Toronto was south of the border. Americans just don't care about Canadian teams no matter what sport they play or how good they are. It's ok in baseball and basketball that don't care about TV ratings to the extent that the NFL does but it really wouldn't fly with the NFL. Given the choice between a team in Buffalo and a team in Toronto the NFL would pick Buffalo easily.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

Yeah. People care about their own team, local rivals/division foes, and then teams that are good/fun to watch. If the Toronto team gets good, which in a league with this kind of parity isn't unlikely, people will care. They get put in a division, they'll have rivals, people will care, etc.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

I don't mind a team in Canada, but I do mind 33 teams. If they move a team to Canada, that's fine with me (but it had better be a team that has no fan support). If they want to expand, they need to go to 40 teams. Anything between 33 and 39 teams doesn't schedule well. If they went to 40 teams (10 divisions of 4), then the proposal for 17 games, one played on a neutral site overseas would make much more sense than it does now.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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The ratings for Toronto sports teams are much lower than they would be if Toronto was south of the border. Americans just don't care about Canadian teams no matter what sport they play or how good they are. It's ok in baseball and basketball that don't care about TV ratings to the extent that the NFL does but it really wouldn't fly with the NFL. Given the choice between a team in Buffalo and a team in Toronto the NFL would pick Buffalo easily.

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The other leagues aren't as concerned about ratings because their seasons aren't really built for massive TV viewing game-in, game-out. The NFL has an advantage only playing on Sunday, with a marquee game on Monday, and only playing 16 games/year. You also have to factor in that in baseball and basketball, there hasn't been a dominant team or a really marketable player that interests fans. There might be a Catch 22 somewhere in that though.

Still, if a team like Buffalo moved to Toronto, do you really think the ratings would be impacted? Are fewer fans going to watch a Patriots/Toronto game compared to a Patriots/Buffalo game? Even if fewer fans are watching in the states, you're gaining a HUGE market in Toronto, and likely a large contingency of Canada.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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Yeah. People care about their own team, local rivals/division foes, and then teams that are good/fun to watch. If the Toronto team gets good, which in a league with this kind of parity isn't unlikely, people will care. They get put in a division, they'll have rivals, people will care, etc.

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I really hope you're right. And I'm not saying a NFL team in Toronto wouldn't do very well or make money. Rather I'm saying that there are quite a few markets in the states (i.e. more than most people would initially think) that would do better from the NFL's perspective.

A team in Toronto compared to a hypothetical identical team in the states would receive much less media attention and American fan interest due to the fact that its in Canada. If you look at how the Raptors or Jays are covered (granted the Jays haven't been relevant in a while, but the Raptors last year are a good example) compared to similar teams in the states this becomes pretty apparent. It's ok in basketball and baseball because these sports aren't as TV oriented as football. But I really believe the NFL won't put a team in Toronto for a long time because of the poor expected performance on TV.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

Is 80k really a mandatory requirement.
That doesn't make a lot of sense to me as currently there are 2 NFL stadiums that hold 80k or more:
Fed Ex Field = 91.7k
Giants Stadium - 80.2k

You have 7 more that are between 72k and 80k:
KC, DEN, MIA, BUF, CAR, CLE, GB

And a whole bunch that are 71k or lower.

The smallest 10 are 66k or lower:
IND, CHI, OAK, ARI, MIN, DET, CIN, TB, DAL, STL.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...eague_stadiums

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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I live in Toronto and would love to see it but we will all be dead before there is an NFL team here. Godfrey has been obsessed with this for over 20 years and it's no closer to happening now then it was 20 years ago.


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Everything that we've been told is that the NFL is coming here but yeah, we'll all be dead by the time that happens.
Been waiting forever so I'm not holding my breath.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

SBR,
The NFL would work better. A big problem for MLB and NBA is that if you are Denver or Milwaukee or w/e you won't get big draws for Raptors games and you won't get big tv audiences. However each game in the NFL is so big that you will still get similar ratings and attendance regardless if it is Toronto or Buffalo or Minnesota.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

I don't want an NFL team here for 2 reasons:

1. It would kill the Argos.

2. The tailgating would suck. Toronto is way too tightass with bylaws to allow people to BBQ and drink in a parking lot.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

"Is 80k really a mandatory requirement."

I don't know if the league requires it of all new teams but Paul Godfrey (who has been advocating for a Toronto team for 20 years) has been vocal about the fact that the NFL is adamant that the stadium would have to seat 80k.

The problem becomes who pays for it (there is no way the government is putting in a nickel after the Skydome fiasco) and where do you build it (Downsview)?

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

If we had to have a team it would be nice if they put a stadium as far from downtown as possible. Somewhere like Vaughan.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

Downsview Park baby!!

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

Am I crazy for thinking two of the best things the NFL could do is put one team in Toronto and another in Mexico City? Wouldn't this be great for opening up new markets?

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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Am I crazy for thinking two of the best things the NFL could do is put one team in Toronto and another in Mexico City? Wouldn't this be great for opening up new markets?

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I think it will happen eventually. Either that or the NFL will create separate leagues in other countries; either way they definitly want to be the ones to control american football in those countries. Although I think a team in London is more likely than one in Mexico (as in almost zero for either).

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They talk about this every week on FAN590. Its not happening for 10-15 years imo. Best logical sense to build would by the military base airport in downsview.

Re: NFL team in Toronto.... Could it actually happen?
 

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They talk about this every week on FAN590. Its not happening for 10-15 years imo. Best logical sense to build would by the military base airport in downsview.

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[hijack} Bob Mcowan should DIAGF [/hijack]