Recently, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell approved of the Bills to play a game in the 2008 season in Toronoto, Canada. It will be the Bill’s first game in Canada, attempting to build a Canadian fanbase. The deal is one that will allow the Bills to play a limited number of games in Toronto over the span of the next five years. One regular season game during each of the next five years, each most likely being in December after the conclusion of the CFL season. The other games will be pre-season games.
The Buffalo Bills, who have become a small market team over the last few years, will try to expand their market into Canada which holds much potential. While many fans are worried over rumors of a Buffalo Bills relocation to Toronto, owner Ralph Wilson assures fans that will not happen. By expanding the Bills’ market into Canada, Wilson hopes to create a new fan base and interest thus sustaining the Bills’ future in Buffalo. Hopefully this regionalization will push the Bills from a small market team up to the big boys and become a big market team once again.
Amongst all the relocation rumors, Western New York native and Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano, has repeatedly discussed the idea of purchasing the team from Ralph Wilson to ensure its future in Buffalo. While Ralph Wilson has no plans to sell the team during his lifetime, the question is what will happen with the team after Wilson dies since he does not plan to keep the team in the family. Golisano realizes how important it is to Western New York to keep the Bills in Buffalo and is keeping “half an eye on it” as he quotes. Along with Golisano is another potential buyer in Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly who is also determined to keep the Bills where they are.
