Utah John Posted November 25, 2013 Posted November 25, 2013 I have always wondered how much more the Bills take in from playing a home game in Toronto, compared to what they'd get at a sold-out Ralph. Does anyone know? Probably the Bills figure the attraction isn't the extra money alone, but the growth of their market into southern Ontario. Still, if the Bills miss a playoff spot by one game after losing to Atlanta in Toronto, that's a lot of other money they're losing.
Kirby Jackson Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) The Toronto series was $78 million over the 8 games I believe (3 preseason). I think that this was paid as a "rights fee" not just a ticket fee. A sol out RWS is probably $5M ish (just a guess. A sellout in the NBA is about $1M gate in smaller markets). So at worst the Toronto series is double it. If I am right in believing that it is a rights fee it does not get split across the league in the same manner as ticket revenue. Edited November 26, 2013 by Kirby Jackson
K D Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 There will be as many Falcons fans at the game as Bills fans. They don't want us in Toronto as much as we don't want to play there and lose our homefield advantage. I don't care how much money the Bills make, the whole thing stinks
oman128 Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 frankly I don't know why the NFL just doesn't buy out the Canadian Football League. And merge the two league together there's 8 teams so each conference gets 4 teams, and you expand the NFL brand to a whole nother country
Major Mud Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 frankly I don't know why the NFL just doesn't buy out the Canadian Football League. And merge the two league together there's 8 teams so each conference gets 4 teams, and you expand the NFL brand to a whole nother country Have you ever seen the CFL?...totally different brand of football. Different rules, different field. They just had their 101st Grey Cup. They don't want American football, they are happy with their own brand. And their own legacy.
Luxy312 Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 Crossing the NFL with the CFL would be like slapping a Lambo emblem on a Pinto. You just don't do it. LOL.
Kirby Jackson Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 There will be as many Falcons fans at the game as Bills fans. They don't want us in Toronto as much as we don't want to play there and lose our homefield advantage. I don't care how much money the Bills make, the whole thing stinks I don't like it either but it is absolutely a necessary evil (as covered in the other thread). Unless the Bills have a new revenue generating stadium they need the Toronto series to "keep up with the Joneses" (see what I did there).
DollarBills Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) You also have to keep in mind that Rogers Centre has 20,000+ less seats than the Ralph and probably won't sell out this year. So while TO brings more in ticket prices, stadium size and a lack of enthusiasm lowers the potential profit. Edited November 26, 2013 by DollarBills
djp14150 Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 I recall reading something when it first came out they would profit more than double what Ralph would bring on a per game rate. also by Buffalo establishing there, they can protect it if expansion or relocation was to happen and they put a team in Toronto. this is something San Diego is trying to do to LA in order to get some money should a team relocate there.
ExiledInIllinois Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) frankly I don't know why the NFL just doesn't buy out the Canadian Football League. And merge the two league together there's 8 teams so each conference gets 4 teams, and you expand the NFL brand to a whole nother country Totally different rules! Wider field, 55 yards long... 20 yard deep endzones and only 3 downs an offensive series. Much of the Canadian game would be lost... Let alone what the poster above said... More tradition and older game up in Canada than our brand of football. Edited November 26, 2013 by ExiledInIllinois
Kirby Jackson Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 (edited) I recall reading something when it first came out they would profit more than double what Ralph would bring on a per game rate. also by Buffalo establishing there, they can protect it if expansion or relocation was to happen and they put a team in Toronto. this is something San Diego is trying to do to LA in order to get some money should a team relocate there. Nice post. The marketing rights in Canada used to stop at the border and were run by "NFL Canada" and it was all league wide. The Bills used to fight this pretty hard because parts of Canada were well within their market. When they added the Toronto deal this changes and they were able to work into Southern Ontario at the team level. Edited November 26, 2013 by Kirby Jackson
NoSaint Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 You also have to keep in mind that Rogers Centre has 20,000+ less seats than the Ralph and probably won't sell out this year. So while TO brings more in ticket prices, stadium size and a lack of enthusiasm lowers the potential profit. That must make it really challenging for the guys paying us 78m to sell their own tickets. Ralph gets a flat rate on it whether sold out or empty doesn't he?
Kirby Jackson Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 That must make it really challenging for the guys paying us 78m to sell their own tickets. Ralph gets a flat rate on it whether sold out or empty doesn't he? Yeah, it's a guaranteed number. It is a really good deal for the Bills (despite how bad it is to lose a home game). That market is what can potentially keep the Bills in WNY long term.
RuntheDamnBall Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 I think the thing that the people who are really enthusiastic about a Toronto NFL franchise don't realize is how hard it is to build a successful team that isn't an NHL property in Toronto. People will support the Leafs even when they are terrible (in a way, like we do with the Bills). The Blue Jays have had competitive teams and still have trouble filling 54,000 seats (which, granted, is a lot for baseball and its 81 home games). This is with a long history in the city including two championships. Guaranteeing sellouts at the prices they have been charging would be supremely difficult. Toronto is a super-cosmopolitan city with lots to do with your dollar/ loonie -- sort of a similar problem to that of LA. Planting a new franchise down in the city, even one with a regional history, is not the surefire success or moneymaker that it seems on the surface. Fans will only support a team there if it is a winner, and that's going to require a bunch of money on top of the investment made to purchase and relocate the team.
Bronc24 Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 A couple of things: The CFL is the strongest it has ever been right now and will continue to thrive. As for the Toronto series, speaking as a Canadian, it sucks. Yes, Toronto has a huge population, but largely it is becoming immigrant based and they have zero interest in football. I hate that the Bills lose that competitive advantage once a year.
Just Jack Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 That must make it really challenging for the guys paying us 78m to sell their own tickets. Ralph gets a flat rate on it whether sold out or empty doesn't he? And they've dropped prices multiple times over the years. A $90 ticket the first year is now down to just under $60.
Bronc24 Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 And they've dropped prices multiple times over the years. A $90 ticket the first year is now down to just under $60. They are advertising for $48.
Just Jack Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 They are advertising for $48. I added on the Ticketmaster fees.
Tintonfallsbillsfan Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 The problem is Toronto is the 5th largest tv market in North America. That is vey appealing to the rest of the league .
PromoTheRobot Posted November 26, 2013 Posted November 26, 2013 The problem is Toronto is the 5th largest tv market in North America. That is vey appealing to the rest of the league . The Bills are already seen in half of Canada every week now.
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