NFL north of the border?

[IAMCAPER]

There are now talks of a new NFL franchise being possible in the future for Toronto. I think this would be a very lucrative move for the NFL but I worry how it would affect the CFL even though I still feel the CFL is a better game.

1 - Do you think that an NFL team in Toronto could survive

2 - How will this affect the CFL in Toronto

3 - How will this affect the CFL in general

[cbisle]

The NFL in Toronto would be huge. The only team struggling in T.O right now are the Blue Jays, and even that will change thanks to some revamping. Toronto is the city where it all takes place. From crazy fans to an even crazier media industry.

I think that the CFL in Toronto would crash because fans want to get their bang for their buck. Bringing guys like Terrell Owens and Randy Moss to T.O would would be huge for die-hard football fans. And just imagine the field day Toronto reporters and journalists would have with guys like that.

I don't however, think the CFL as a league would suffer because aside from Toronto, the only other province that could sustain an NFL team would be Saskatchewan. Besides, there are a lot of dedicated CFL fans out there who believe in supporting their Canadian teams.

[IAMCAPER]

Very good points cbisle, you must work in the sports industry or something do you?


I think the TO CFL team would suffer but I'm not sure it will go as far as crashing. There is big money in TO not to mention the surrounding areas so the NFL will have a huge fan base, so much so that a lot of fans won't be able to get tickets so they will no doubtedly move to the CFL to get their fix.

T.O. could always move the franchise to Halifax.

[cbisle]

I try to keep up on things!


I guess I never really thought about fans not being able to get in to the NFL games. I was just thinking about all the fans who would love to go. But I guess stadium size and cost would certainly be a deterrent for some.

I actually spoke with the guy who is part of the management for Shannon Park Military Property (just under the McKay bridge). That is the place where people are recommending a new stadium be built for a CFL team. He seems to think that Halifax doesn't have a fan base to support a CFL team in the city. But I think it would do alright. Football in Halifax high schools is huge. Plus the universities get massive crowds for pretty much every game. I think if it is marketed right and there are people involved who understand the game, it should do alright.

[rontu88]

NFL in TO would be AWESOME, I know this has been talked about since the early 90's but the idea/convo has died out for a long time.. One problem for TO to get a team is they would have to build a brand new stadium. I'm not 100% sure of the excact number but to host an NFL team you need to have a stadium that seats aroound 67,000, might be a few less but I know it's in the 60,000 range somewhere. Vancouver is also a thought.

As far as the CFL, it has it's hardcore fans up here that will never leave and don't even like the NFL(all they do is put it down LOL).. I really think TO CFL will always be stable!

ALL I wanna do is get one step closer to my 22 year long admired Miami Dolphins without going to the ill faded city of Buffalo!!

[IAMCAPER]

Well, the Argos draw between 25,000 and 50,000 per game so I don't think drawing the 60,000 or so for an NFL team would be a stretch in Toronto. The new stadium might be a problem but if it meant getting an NFL franchise I'm sure the Blue Jays would join in for a new stadium.

[cbisle]

I think the NFL in Vancouver would also be a huge hit. If there's one thing Westerners love it's football. I think putting a team in Vancouver is probably a more realistic thought right now.

As for Toronto, I think it would be difficult for the Jays to come aboard to build a new stadium. The only reason I say this is because Rogers Communications owns the Blue Jays. Rogers also just purchased and pumped a lot of cash in to Rogers Centre (formerly Skydome). Unless Rogers could somehow be a part of the NFL team I don't see them looking for a new home any time soon.

[rontu88]

No doubt there would be no probs at all with filling seats, they would probably fill 100,000 seat stadium if built, there are many hardcore NFL fans around and you have the states side, seeing Buffalo is only 2 hours from TO.
I do think that the Jays Organization would most likely have nothing to do with an NFL expansion in TO, it would probably be some rich corporates or another large business like Rogers.
One dissappointment in Rogers taking over was a huge price hike in tickets, I checked for 4 seats when the Yankees come to town in Aug & Sept and they are 85$ US each which equals 450$ US after taxes and broker fee if bought online. REEEEDICULOUS!! Good seats mind you(right behind visitors dugout) but nonetheless. It's all money nowadays as we see with our Beloved NHL. If Hockey don't make Sept 2005 without replacement players (which is a joke) I vow to never watch another game, nor buy hockey items again as long as I live. God help us. heh

GOOOO DOLPHINS!!

[cbisle]

Typical of pro sports, pump millions in to your franchise to attract more fans and then stick those same fans with the bill for those additional costs. I am on board with you 100% about not watching the NHL if there is no resolution by Sept./05. I already stopped buying NHL merchandise and I don't plan on supporting the league until there is a resolution.

[rontu88]

ROGER THAT!

[IAMCAPER]

I still want to watch hockey but I don't really want to support the big babies. Although there appear to be cracks in the union brotherhood and a few guys are finally speaking out agains Goodenow