The Buffalo Bills and Rogers Media just signed a $78 million dollar contract to play one annual season game in Toronto’s Roger Centre until 2017. According to unnamed sources, ticket prices for the Canada games will be lower than the Bills’ initial stint in Toronto. In 2008, the cost of an individual ticket at Rogers Centre was almost $200. While the Bills benefit financially on the 5-year Toronto deal, I am not in favor of it.
MY THUMBS DOWN
1. No other NFL team has to play in another country annually. Is it fair to other teams? Why not let every team have the option of playing in Toronto? They should be entitled to some extra cash.
2. We lose the home field advantage. Lets face it. Football is a short season. Unlike hockey and baseball, every game is crucial and having the home field makes a difference. I would rather see it count as a road game. After all, the Bills have to travel to get there.
3. Losing record. While it may help Toronto fans, it has not helped the team’ win. The Bills have lost 75% of the Toronto games, the most recent an embarrassing 23-o shutout against the Redskins last season.
4. No offense to Canada, but crossing the border can be a hassle and at times a long wait. I actually came close to finishing the book “War and Peace’” while sitting in my friend’s old Monza one week-end. You also need a passport or an enhanced license to cross. Bills fans have to leave extra early. Okay, maybe they can tailgate to kill the time? NO SUCH LUCK, which takes us to number 5.
5. NO TAILGATING. We love our tailgating. At least give us a space for it? Even a white barbecue tent and some complimentary Golden Anniversary beer taps will suffice.
DECEMBER 2012
On December 16, 2012, the Bills face the Seahawks at Rogers Centre. Sorry, I just want my home game. Unfortunately, money talks and Toronto wins out. I do have a couple suggestions. Add another dollar onto the price of hot dogs. Instead of crushing thousands of cans at the stadium, bag them up and get the cash. Now, how many cans would it take to get $78 million bucks? Approximately 1.56 billion cans. I think I have 3 pop cans in my back seat. Hey, it’s a start.
