OT:Bills and MLSE to announce marketing relationship

[Brawndo]

 

[PASabreFan]

Why?

[Timonthy 76]

It’s going to fail miserably 

[Porous Five Hole]

Obligatory 🖕the Leafs

[JoeSchmoe]

42 minutes ago, Brawndo said:

 

Hate MLSE and everything about it.

[shrader]

Well that’s awkward. 

[Indabuff]

[Weave]

1 hour ago, PASabreFan said:

Why?

Wells r hard?

 

Non-snarky response:

This feels like partially unwinding the time we had “home games” in Canada. Me no likey.

Edited 20 hours ago by Weave

[Palm Trees And Taxes]

Not this again 

 

[That Aud Smell]

I don't love it, of course.

But I acknowledge that it's inevitable, unavoidable, etc.

In order to keep their place in the modern NFL eco$y$tem, the Buffalo Bills need a chunk of Greater Toronto's corporate largesse. 

And the new stadium gives them the best point of leverage they've ever had. They can probably persuade monied Torontonians (corporate leaders) to come to Buffalo for a weekend and be hosted at a suite for a game (or several games).  

This plan looks more intentional, more thoughtful than what Russ Brandon slapped together. The admission of minority stake owners McGrady and Carter are of a piece with this.

One final thought: The NFL still wants a dedicated NFL brand presence in the GTA. The Bills need to respond to that vacuum on the NFL's behalf. 

[thewookie1]

I do get a kick out the Bills' press release not mentioning the Leafs.

Effectively they were alluding to connections with the other MLSE properties but not with the Leafs which is at least nice.

[That Aud Smell]

6 minutes ago, thewookie1 said:

I do get a kick out the Bills' press release not mentioning the Leafs.

A bit awkward, eh?

[shrader]

55 minutes ago, Palm Trees And Taxes said:

Not this again 

 

With a brand new stadium? Yeah, you don’t ever have to worry about that again. 

[mjd1001]

I'm fine with this, actually happy. Why would you not want to expand your fanbase?

[Weave]

24 minutes ago, mjd1001 said:

I'm fine with this, actually happy. Why would you not want to expand your fanbase?

Rooting alongside snooty, loud, pretentious Toronto fans?  Ewwwww!

 

Can you imagine a stadium 1/3 full of Promo the robot types with a Canadian accent? 🤣

[Thorny]

Noted Sabres and Bills fan Ernie Clement must be behind this 

[Eleven]

2 hours ago, That Aud Smell said:

I don't love it, of course.

But I acknowledge that it's inevitable, unavoidable, etc.

In order to keep their place in the modern NFL eco$y$tem, the Buffalo Bills need a chunk of Greater Toronto's corporate largesse. 

And the new stadium gives them the best point of leverage they've ever had. They can probably persuade monied Torontonians (corporate leaders) to come to Buffalo for a weekend and be hosted at a suite for a game (or several games).  

This plan looks more intentional, more thoughtful than what Russ Brandon slapped together. The admission of minority stake owners McGrady and Carter are of a piece with this.

One final thought: The NFL still wants a dedicated NFL brand presence in the GTA. The Bills need to respond to that vacuum on the NFL's behalf. 

All good points.  Still icky.

[mjd1001]

15 minutes ago, Weave said:

Rooting alongside snooty, loud, pretentious Toronto fans?  Ewwwww!

 

Can you imagine a stadium 1/3 full of Promo the robot types with a Canadian accent? 🤣

Doesn't bother me at all. There is a difference between a 'hardcore leaf fan' and a Bills from from Toronto.  Again, for me its about expanding your fanbase. If I like a team, I want them to do what they can to expand that fanbase.  No gatekeeping.

Edited 17 hours ago by mjd1001

[JoeSchmoe]

1 hour ago, mjd1001 said:

If I like a team, I want them to do what they can to expand that fanbase.  No gatekeeping.

That does boost ticket prices though. For that very reason, I couldn't care less about the NHL "growing the league".

I'm good with the way the league was 20 years ago. Players and owners made less, but the price of tickets or a beer at the game were a non-factor.

[Brawndo]

This makes a lot of sense for the Bills. Three of the team’s limited ownership partners, Vince Carter, Tracey McGrady and Jozy Altidore all have strong ties to the Toronto Market and as mentioned there are the corporate sponsors in the GTA

The NFL wants its teams to have global markets and grants 5 year windows. 
 

The home team for the international games are usually the conference that has 9 home games that year. 
I can see a scenario where the Bills play at least one home game in Canada during this timeframe. 
 

I do wonder if this would result in other MLSE Properties playing in Buffalo, Toronto FC plays a game at the new Highmark Stadium, the Raptors at KBC. This is an unlikely scenario though as the Leafs have played two home games per season in Buffalo for years. 

Quote

The latest Global Markets Program updates for 2025 include:

THREE NEW CLUBS*:

Buffalo Bills: Granted rights in Canada.

Cincinnati Bengals: Granted rights in Canada.

Tennessee Titans: Granted rights in Ireland.

NFL clubs can apply for rights to international markets by submitting proposals to the International Committee for review each spring. Clubs are awarded rights for a five-year term through the program and during this period can pursue activities that are consistent with what they can do in their home domestic market, in their awarded international markets.

 

https://www.nfl.com/international/global-markets-program

[That Aud Smell]

6 hours ago, Brawndo said:

This is an unlikely scenario though as the Leafs have played two home games per season in Buffalo for years.

Lol.

[Doohickie]

20 hours ago, Brawndo said:

Bills and MLSE to announce relationship

Can wedding bells be far off?