City of Toronto Trying to Steal Saints Franchise
by Dave Cariello on May 5, 2011 6:00 AM CDT
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PrintIt seems our neighbors to the north are getting a little restless when it comes to waiting for an NFL franchise and are already planning an attempt to raid New Orleans of it's beloved team.
Last week NFL Canada told Toronto councillor Doug Ford that his city is "right up there on the list" of cities awaiting NFL teams. Apparently, that's all Ford needed to hear to continue feeding his seemingly insatiable hunger for an NFL franchise. Brad Gagnon from The Score sat down with Ford, who candidly made public his plans for NFL domination...
"Two teams are kind of in play here: Jacksonville's number one; New Orleans is the other. So there's two teams. Once they take care of Los Angeles, we're going to fly over to New York, set up a meeting with [NFL commissioner Roger] Goodell and give him our pitch."
Woah, buddy! Slow down! You know there's a lockout right? Can we take care of that problem first before we start telling you that you can't have our team. Does Drew know about this?
Part of Ford's plan, of course, is to build a brand new stadium or renovate an existing one, funded mostly through personal seat licenses, to accommodate a future Super Bowl.
But the big question for Saints fans is simple: why the hell does Ford consider the Saints an option for relocation? Does he know something we don't? Has he already had talks with Benson about a move?
Doubtful. My guess is that he's just not very up-to-date on his New Orleans current events and still thinks our city is suffering severely in the aftermath of Katrina. Hell, I bet he thinks we're still underwater.
He doesn't know that our city and our team are doing great. He doesn't know that the Superdome has been sold out every year since 2006. He doesn't know there are now 50,000 people on the waiting list for season tickets. He doesn't know that Forbes magazine just listed New Orleans as the second best big city for jobs, up 44 spots from last year. I think Mr. Ford might want to do a little more research before jumping into this too hastily.
Hey, I don't mind seeing an NFL team in Canada, I really don't. It just ain't gonna be my team. Back up off me, Toronto. Ya heard?
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New Orleans is the second smallest media market in the NFL (#52 in the country, behind even Buffalo)
Last is the Packers, but since their fans travel long distances to games, that’s pretty much a moot point. Take them out and the bottom two markets with NFL franchises are New Orleans and Jacksonville. If the NFL is looking to increase their market exposure in big markets (which is more than just game tickets, so the argument above about waiting lists is a moot point), which helps them sign bigger network contracts, increases their residual income through merchandise, they’ll do it. If you look at the rankings, it’s amazing how closely NFL franchises line up with the biggest markets.
It’s nothing personal NOLA. It’s just business. Unless you can entice a few million people to your area in the next few years, relocation talk is not going away anytime soon.
dear silly falcons fan,
don’t take it personally, its just business. but last time i checked the saints aren’t for sale. and our team in the second smallest media market is still more valuable than your crappy team (which is ranked just behind the jaguars). http://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/30/Rank_2.html.
"As a Saint fan I watch ‘Gone with the Wind’ just to watch Atlanta burn" -Ralph Malbrough
by DrewBreesManCrush on May 5, 2011 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Your 2005 numbers? You can google better than that....
Not to mention the only team that you can get an actual valuation of is Green Bay, which is publicly held and thus reports its finances. These are educated guesses, nothing more. The money is in the TV contracts; you can trash-talk with every other statistic possibly, but you don’t have a large media market, and that’s why the Saints are in play.
by TheAreopagite on May 5, 2011 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions
The Saints aren't "in play."
Dave lists the reasons they aren’t “in play.” Why was all that money spent to recently renovate and modernize the Super Dome if they were “in play?” This is just baseless speculation by a wishful thinking Canadian politician and a Falcons fan terrified of Drew Brees. Look forward to many more years of the New Orleans Saints kicking Falcon tail feathers.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on May 5, 2011 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
sorry, not that it makes a difference
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/30/football-valuations-10_NFL-Team-Valuations_Rank.html
$120 mil diff
and no, they aren’t “in play”
"As a Saint fan I watch ‘Gone with the Wind’ just to watch Atlanta burn" -Ralph Malbrough
by DrewBreesManCrush on May 5, 2011 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm sure it has nothing to do with us beating your ass in recent history does it?
Canal Street Chronicles-A place of great Saints news and information. Oh and the stuff I write!
That's what the Seahawks said
You guys are hilarious. Look for the argument above, now, think hard about an ‘actual’ response. So far, no such luck?
by TheAreopagite on May 5, 2011 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes, because Atlanta is so good about supporting their own sports teams
I know, because I see on TV the Braves games (empty), Hawks games (empty until a year or two ago), and what’s the name of the hockey team about to leave?
The NFL is not leaving New Orleans anytime soon, and to even put Jacksonville with a 1/3 empty stadium in the discssion with New Orleans is preposterous. New Orleans’ waiting list for season tickets could almost fill Jacksonville’s stadium by itself. The season ticket sales and merchandise sales on a per capita basis are second to none in the league, not to mention the intangibles like fan loyalty.
The discussion of relocation may not go away, but that is because of uninformed folks from outside the region. Besides, Super Bowl in Toronto anyone?? Really???
Black Pants = Bad
Besides, Super Bowl in Toronto anyone?? Really???
Sure, why not? We had one in freaking Detroit five years ago.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Only if it’s a dome. Or the NYC Super Bowl is such a smashing success (probably due to unseasonably warm weather) that they forget about the potential weather problems…
I’m sure it would be a dome. Rogers Centre (home of the Argonauts) is a retractable roof stadium. Why would they build anything less in trying to attract an NFL team?
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
I'm going to stop.
But, first, your argument is about five years or six years old. And as you know the Seahawks are completely irrelevant to the argument.
Other than that, we should just leave your arguments unanswered since you really just want reaction more than debate.
"I am a Saints player. Look, sir" Patrick Robinson
by CrazyforColston on May 5, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
We fill stadiums.
You empty stadiums in the 4th quarter.
Canal Street Chronicles-A place of great Saints news and information. Oh and the stuff I write!
regonal, regional.
Haven’t you heard? The Saints are regional?!
Incredible, too, that anyone would think this soon after winning a championship, that New Orleans is some legitimate, likely choice for relocation. No. It makes no sense. Business or otherwise.
"I am a Saints player. Look, sir" Patrick Robinson
by CrazyforColston on May 5, 2011 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions
"As a Saint fan I watch ‘Gone with the Wind’ just to watch Atlanta burn" -Ralph Malbrough
by DrewBreesManCrush on May 5, 2011 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Shreveport/Bossier and Monroe are FAR more Cowboys country than Saints. I also don’t buy into the SE Arkansas draw. And what, there aren’t any football fans in Beaumont?
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
I think Beaumont is the Navy Blue part of the Texans colors.
It just looks like it’s empty, but I don’t think it is.
Although I have to say, in traveling to and from Houston in recent months, there should be a small Black and Gold pocket represented there,
Not when the Saints do well.
Yes, that’s the very definition of bandwagon, I know. But, North Louisiana is happy to support the new successful Saints.
"I am a Saints player. Look, sir" Patrick Robinson
by CrazyforColston on May 5, 2011 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
No different really
This is North Louisiana’s m.o., what succeeds down south becomes popular here because they really lack much identity or draw for anything on their own, so they suddenly become “all in” with the rest of the state.
"I am a Saints player. Look, sir" Patrick Robinson
by CrazyforColston on May 5, 2011 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I think that LA will get a football team way before those Canucks do. I think that part of the problem is that they do think that NOLA is a bad revenue city, like you folks have said, but something that you may use to argue is that NOLA brings about the bucks when it comes to watching games. People like watching the Saints play and it is proven by the ratings for the Superbowl and the first game of the next season. People all over the country like watching the Saints. I like watching the Saints cause I live in Modesto California. I hope they don’t move the Saints to LA because it wouldn’t be the same team. Yeah sure the players would be the same, but it wouldn’t be the Saints. I don’t know how to explain it, but watching a Saints game and not seeing those shots of Rue de Bourbon, it’s not the same. Maybe the Canadians think that since they speak a little bit of french up there, they can steal the fleur de lis, but it aint gonna happen
French?
In Toronto? You gotta to be kidding…They still go “speak white” if you dare talking in french down there….
Heck, I live in a french province and still can’t get served in my mother tongue in the west part of Montreal!!!
Repeat? Under construction...
They still go "speak white" if you dare talking in french down there
Vive Le Toronteaux.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
I'll be a good boy...
and not say wahatI really think of English Canada, specially after Monday’s elections…
Repeat? Under construction...
say wahatI
just some new contraction combining “say what?” and anything derogatory about ATL…
New CSC lingo, kudos, FF! lol
by BRSaintsFan on May 5, 2011 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
so they want the Saints b/c of the fleur de lis huh
Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson
Haha!!
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by Dave Cariello on May 5, 2011 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
THAT WAS THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT
Security in this office park is a joke. Last year, I came to work with my spud gun in a duffel bag. I sat at my desk all day, with a rifle that shoots potatoes at 60 pounds per square inch. Can you imagine if I was deranged?
With Toronto's opinion on Quebec
I can assure you they don’t want to have anything to do with a Fleur De Lys!!!
Repeat? Under construction...
He doesn’t know that Forbes magazine just listed New Orleans as the second best big city for jobs, up 44 spots from last year.
More like second most jobs available per capita. What they fail to mention is:
a.) Most people only hold one job at a time.
b.) Very few jobs offer cost of living raises in New Orleans.
c.) The current average salary in New Orleans is at or near what it was pre-Katrina.
d.) The current cost of living in New Orleans is much greater than it was pre-Katrina.
But yeah, we do have a lot of job openings.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
by coldpizza on May 5, 2011 7:18 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd it
I can see you live in the same town I live in.
b.) Very few jobs offer cost of living raises in New Orleans.Tell me about it.
"My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them."-Winston Churchill
The Saints are locked in until 2025, unless the state renegs on its deal, which is entirely possible.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
I'm going to make an exception to the Hans Rule (no name calling)
boom rec’d it
Well, he hands you a nickel, he hands you a dime
He asks you with a grin if you’re havin’ a good time
If the Saints were in boring Toronto...
There team colors would be Black and Beige.
Boy am I glad MT_Always isn’t around anymore!
Repeat? Under construction...
who says....
I see you French.. I am always around even if you dont see me.
Its cause your French of course and not really Canadian. :P
MT
by MT_always on May 5, 2011 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
disagreements
I disagree with some of the people on the boards here after the floodgates opened up and every tom dick and harry was here..
( *no offense to anyone that came to SB from any other site or is infact named tom dick or harry)
But I still read posts on occasion. Seemed safer to stay away until I cooled off anyway lol
MT
welcome back, MT
you have been missed…
Win Now...
WINGRAMANIA
by Hans Petersen on May 6, 2011 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions
On occasion?
And depriving yourself of our wisdom as a delinquant bunch?
p.s.: Malcolm is doing great!
Repeat? Under construction...
Holy crap!!!
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by Dave Cariello on May 6, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions
"I don't mind seeing an NFL team in Canada"
I do. Canada already has its own league. If they want to watch NFL (IFL?) football, they can watch it on television.
Once Canada has a football team, pretty soon Mexico will want one, too. Then England. And pretty soon the Super Bowl will be played in Barcelona between the London Beefeaters and the Mexico City Aztecas. The halftime show will be Tomohisa Yamashita. And I’ll be living in France, watching the finals of the petanque league and drinking pastis. It’ll be hell, I tell you.
It was good while it lasted.
by MtnExile on May 5, 2011 8:13 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Actually, both MLB and the NBA have FEWER international teams, since expanding into Canada. The Expos are now the Nationals and the Grizzlies are now in Memphis. Toronto has managed to retain both of their franchises. Not saying it’s the best of ideas logistically, just that there’s certainly no precedence for a groundswell. Heck, even the NHL is more “American” now, than in recent years. Gained Ottawa (expansion), lost Quebec (to Denver) and Winnipeg (to Phoenix).
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Heck, even the NHL is more "American" now, than in recent years. Gained Ottawa (expansion), lost Quebec (to Denver) and Winnipeg (to Phoenix)
And added teams in Tampa, Atlanta, Nashville, Colombus and Minnesota.
Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
Well as a Winnipegger
We are on the verge (apparently) of either getting our old Hockey team back (Phoenix) or if that deal falls through the Atlanta team.
That being said.
I would hate to see the Saints relocate. Sure they would be closer for me to see. But as ME said. Canada has it’s own league. It tried expanding to the States and that went sour fairly quickly. While i guarantee the NFL would be well received in TO, it just better not be my Saints. I don’t want to go visit Toronto to see the Saints play at home. I want to get my Canadian butt down to the bayou.
I like Hamburgers!
Winterpeg!
I live in that city of cold and skeeters now and you will hopefully never get a NHL team cause the city cant support one once the glow goes and the losing starts. Sorry.. cause i would love to see Canada get more teams.
MT
Did i read that right? You live in the city?
And i definitely disagree about not being able to support the team. Fans are rabid in this city. That has never died. Definitely more money in the city as well.
The biggest issue with the old barn and why they left was that they leased the arena and only pulled revenue from ticket sales and merchandising.
Now the owners have a building they own (and apparently fully paid for), all concessions go to the team, all parking revenues associated with owned lots goes to the team, merchandising and revenue sharing from the league to boot. Not to mention the strength of the dollar and the salary cap. We can very well support a team in my opinion.
Whereabouts in the city do you live?
I like Hamburgers!
yup
I moved here cause my sister hatched a niece and my parents are here.. figured why not.. DAMN it got cold in February.
As for the return of the Jets.. not enough disposable income to fill it after the glow is gone. Sorry to say it.. Other cities have more money and want teams and they SHOULD get them before Winnipeg. Now Bettman is an azzhat… ( not sure of the policy of calling a man a donkeyhat so figured i would use other terms…. ) and will do what the F he wants instead of what makes sense .. so maybe im wrong.
And i dont know where I live yet.. The election said Elmwood-Transcona but i am just renting till i find a spot to actually live.
MT
I’ve read that most fans and non-fans alike, enjoy games at the Superdome b/c of the close proximity of the French Quarter. You can walk around and enjoy yourself w/o having to rent a car.
Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson
w/o having to rent a car.
I dont suggest doing that. Unless you want to get mugged. You should know this.
"My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them."-Winston Churchill
I do, I’m just saying that in general when visiting most other cities you need a car to get around. Although in Chicago you could travel via bus or train.
Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson
when I visited Dallas I had to have a car and the only thing close to the Cowboys stadium is the Rangers ballpark which I found to be more interesting than the Cowboys stadium
Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson
So the whole crowd is walking from the Dome to the Quarter? I have made the walk(not in a crowd) and would not suggest it to most. I live here and Im sure you do also, you should know it is that bad.
"My rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them."-Winston Churchill
I guess I just don't agree.
I don’t think it is that bad. And no the whole crowd obviously doesn’t walk, but there is usually a pack making that walk. More people than would otherwise be doing it.
I dunno, walking down Poydras to St Charles over to the Quarter just doesn’t seem that terrible to me. It doesn’t seem like the safest place to be, but New Orleans is a city where you can get mugged anywhere in the city, not just the “unseemly” parts so why pretend otherwise? I don’t care where I’m walking at night here, I have my head on a swivel and I stay alert.
That area is fine
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by Dave Cariello on May 5, 2011 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Mtn… Toronto is more american then most american cities. Let them out of the CFL and into the NFL and they will keep it well seasoned. It wont happen as long as the Bills exist though so dont worry about it much.
and tell those younguns that call you MT.. that thats MY name!
MT
The Saints are not going anywhere.
That conversation will be quickly ended due to the NOLA community putting so much into the last 4 years and they would be smart not to remove a team only a few years after winning a SUPER BOWL!!!!
Ford has been living under a rock.
There’s no reason Benson or the league could justify to sell or move the Saints. Plus, try getting Saints players who are accustomed to warm weather to relocate to the frigid temperatures of Toronto. It wouldn’t matter that they’d have an indoor stadium. They’d still have to walk around and commute in those dark, snow-filled streets several months a year. Yeah, players wouldn’t have a choice if they want to continue playing, but they damn sure wouldn’t like it and the team’s performance would suffer as a result.
This is a non-issue. Ford is just pulling stuff out of his ass. Is he up for reelection soon? That would explain this insane dribble.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on May 5, 2011 9:36 AM CDT reply actions
If NFL were thinking of a time to leave New Orleans.
This is one strange, nonsensical time to do it. You know, just looking at all the unkowns they stayed for in spite of not so long ago..
"I am a Saints player. Look, sir" Patrick Robinson
by CrazyforColston on May 5, 2011 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions
and the team’s performance would suffer as a result.
Citation needed. The Atlanta Flames moved to Calgary in 1981 and won 4 1/2 more games. That’s the most extreme south-to-north move in pro sports history. The Oilers remained 8-8 following their move to Memphis. Not as extreme, but it WAS from a domed stadium to outdoors. They went 13-3 the following year. I think you’re overplaying the psychological effects of weather just a bit.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Solely because it would be so much easier on me to go see home games
Would I want this to happen. Having the Saints in Toronto and being able to go see pretty much every game would be amazing. But I highly doubt they’d be the Saints anymore and, as for colours, I wouldn’t expect to see Black&Gold anymore. Blue&White would be a lot more plausible. Overall, I wouldn’t at all want them to move to Toronto(or anywhere else, for that matter)
Mark Ingram-OROY
Cam Jordan-DROY
New Orleans Saints-2012 Super Bowl Champs
Nonsense, its Buffalo or nothing
//scene// Cape Fear, Robert De Niro (Max Cady) smoking a cigar, and laughing in the movie theatre.
You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever, will.-Jim Mora Sr.
I understand ....nothing.-Michael Scott
The Future is Unwritten.-Joe Strummer
I wouldn’t mind seeing an NFL team out of Hawaii, that’d be cool. I wonder what their team would be called – the Turtles?
Yes, time flies. And where did it leave you? Old too soon...smart too late. - Mike Tyson
If this ever happens, I hope it’s part of a NFL-CFL merger. Not saying I want to see more passing than I do as a Saints fan. Heaven forbid. I just think the name Argonauts is badass. Vikings versus Argonauts(!) I may have just creamed my pants typing that.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Just don’t know what i’d do. Guess i’d stop watching football for the most part. I’ve been a fan of the Saints for 36 years cause i’m from New Orleans. I’m not from Toronto and i don’t have an affiliation or desire to strongly root for any other team.
"Winter is coming"
I meant a straight up merger, not teams relocating.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Soooo……been gone a few days. Your head explode when we passed up on Ingram only to draft him later?
"Winter is coming"
Well, they showed him on the phone at 24, so I thought for sure that was the pick. I was seriously bummed when it wasn’t, but decided to stick around, mainly just to see the reaction of all the Jets fans when they picked. They’re fairly notorious for their obnoxiousness. Glad I did. As soon as I heard “the Patriots have traded the 28th selection, New Orleans is now on the clock” I knew what was up. They probably told Ingram to sit tight while they ironed out the details. There’s little doubt in my mind that Loomis was working on the compensation prior to the Jordan pick.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Yea…overall, for once, i can’t really complain about our draft. Sure I would have liked to keep the pick next year…but I’ve grown tired of bitching. I do admit I love the pick of Romeus in the final round. Guy is a second round + talent when he was healthy. No real risk and the upside is huge if he ever gets healthy and regains his form.
"Winter is coming"
I wonder what their team name would be?
Toronto Tallywackers maybe?
"I can eat oreos faster than him" Scott Fujita's take on Payton Manning SB44
R.I.P. Phil Hartman
It still saddens me that he died. Just goes to show a man should never underestimate an armed woman with emotional problems.
"As soon as Tony (Dungy) said we had no chance, I knew we had 'em right where we wanted 'em"--Coach Sean Payton right after Super Bowl XLIV with the Lombardi Trophy firmly in hand. WHO DAT!!
by David "Satch" Kelly on May 5, 2011 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
There isn't a month that goes by
that my wife and I don’t say “Boy, I miss Phil Hartman”. Esp. when an older Simpsons ep. is on, and then I went ahead and bought Simpsons DVD’s seasons 1-10. …..Hi, I’m Troy McClure you might remember me from “Christmas Ape goes to Summer Camp”, or “Lionel Hutz” attorney at Law.
You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever, will.-Jim Mora Sr.
I understand ....nothing.-Michael Scott
The Future is Unwritten.-Joe Strummer
You mean Fred Snyder?
You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever, will.-Jim Mora Sr.
I understand ....nothing.-Michael Scott
The Future is Unwritten.-Joe Strummer
If they want an NFL team so bad
We should send them the FoulClowns. There’s precedent, after all, of Canada stealing Atlanta’s teams what with Calgary stealing the old Atlanta team… send them the one we most despise with our blessings.
But realistically, they’ll almost certainly end up with the Bills eventually. That will at least keep Ralph Wilson’s plan to avoid moving them “out of the area” semi-intact.
Agreed. Buffalo area football fans also have nearby Pittsburgh to fall back on as a secondary option.
"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper
Either Buffalo or the Raiders.
Buffalo has never been the same since they lost back-to-back superbowls.
I remember my father telling me that Bills stood for:
Boy
I
Love
Loosing
Superbowls
"I can eat oreos faster than him" Scott Fujita's take on Payton Manning SB44
by jeremysherwin on May 5, 2011 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions
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