Marketing Partnership Between MLSE and the Bills

[RB957]

The next couple of years are really going to try your patience as an Argo/CFL fan.
I predict an NFL international Series Game at BMO alternating every year with Montreal beginning in 2027.

I don't see that happening in Canada ever again. If your job is to make money, why would you set up shop in a place that barely supports its own teams? People can loudly declare an NFL team in Toronto would sell out every game all they want but if you are not from here, there is zero evidence to support that.

I think an NFL franchise in Toronto would be successful but for various reasons it will never happen.
Franchise fees and the cost of building a stadium would be astronomical to say the least.
The regular fan would not be able to afford tickets so the corporate clientele and private boxes would rule the day.
As CFL fans we are lucky to be able to enjoy professional football at very affordable prices.

Your first two sentences are at odds. The total cost of having a team in Toronto, factoring in the exchange rate, would make it an impossible venture from the get go. So it could never be successful, because you could never get your money back. Never mind that the Bills would never agree to having another franchise so close to them, given how small their market is. The NFL is never coming back here for international series games when they can make much more money playing in England, Europe and South America.

[ARGO57]

I was unaware the Bills needed MLSE's help with marketing in Southern Ontario.

You are right. I don't think they do. Before this year, upwards of 20% of fans at their home games were Canadians.

I wonder if this is the first salvo in a play to wrest the Canadian TV rights for the NFL away from TSN?

MLSE are very calculated and motivated by the almighty dollar so you have to wonder what the end game is with this announcement.

[IssuesMcgee]

The next couple of years are really going to try your patience as an Argo/CFL fan.
I predict an NFL international Series Game at BMO alternating every year with Montreal beginning in 2027.

I don't see that happening in Canada ever again. If your job is to make money, why would you set up shop in a place that barely supports its own teams? People can loudly declare an NFL team in Toronto would sell out every game all they want but if you are not from here, there is zero evidence to support that.

I think an NFL franchise in Toronto would be successful but for various reasons it will never happen.
Franchise fees and the cost of building a stadium would be astronomical to say the least.
The regular fan would not be able to afford tickets so the corporate clientele and private boxes would rule the day.
As CFL fans we are lucky to be able to enjoy professional football at very affordable prices.

Fair points. Knowing Toronto, building an NFL sized stadium at this current time would almost certainly turn into an embarassing, overbudget disaster.

I question the potential success of an NFL franchise in Toronto though. Three straight seasons missing the playoffs and the organization would be hemorrhagaing money.

[paulwoods13]

The total cost of having a team in Toronto, factoring in the exchange rate, would make it an impossible venture from the get go. So it could never be successful, because you could never get your money back.

I don't expect to see an NFL team in Toronto during my lifetime, but I think it's worth noting that sports franchise values continue to grow exponentially. So even if it cost $20 billion to get a franchise and build a stadium, who's to say the enterprise value wouldn't be $50 billion a decade or two later? Any expansion franchise will not need to recoup its expenses from operations, but rather from enterprise value.

[AngeloV]

I have no issue with this. Anything that brings eyes on the Argos helps IMO

[AngeloV]

The next couple of years are really going to try your patience as an Argo/CFL fan.
I predict an NFL international Series Game at BMO alternating every year with Montreal beginning in 2027.

I guess this throws a wrench into your October sale to Kilmer group. “Book it”

[ARGO57]

I have no issue with this. Anything that brings eyes on the Argos helps IMO

I agree Angelo but with MLSE you always wonder what’s in it for them long term?
A future stake in the Buffalo Bills franchise?

[RB957]

I have no issue with this. Anything that brings eyes on the Argos helps IMO

But how does this help bring eyes to the Argos? I didn't see it, but Argo Z described the press conference as "weird". Other than having Pinball and Keith Pelley there, for show(?), how does this help the Argos?

[shatto]

I'm having real problem seeing what advantage this is to the Argos. Pelley also tried to justify the playing of 3 home games, in opposition stadiums next year. His argument was that they did not want to host games of only 5,000 or 7,000 but Guelph stadium could, as has been done before, be expanded to 13,000. His argument that it wasn't great for the brand doesn't make sense. Playing in an expanded Guelph stadium in front of 13,000 plus fans would have spread the brand to some new fans. It is noteworthy that Pelley would not disclose how much the other teams are paying MLSE for the extra home games in their stadiums.
This is a cash grab by MLSE to the disadvantage of the team and its fans.

[ARGO57]

I have no issue with this. Anything that brings eyes on the Argos helps IMO

But how does this help bring eyes to the Argos? I didn't see it, but Argo Z described the press conference as "weird". Other than having Pinball and Keith Pelley there, for show(?), how does this help the Argos?

Also strange that Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady who both couldn’t get out of Toronto fast enough are of the sudden are front and centre at yesterday’s press conference all smiles and giggles, something bigger is at play here long term.
Personally I don’t trust Keith Pelley or Rogers when it comes to the Argonauts well being.