Rob Ford wants to make Toronto “world class” by bringing NFL to the city
We woke this morning to the news that Rob Ford and his brother and colleague on council Doug Ford have their eyes on a new prize: bringing an NFL team to Toronto. Sure, such business giants as Postmedia CEO Paul Godfrey and the late Ted Rogers tried to bring the NFL to Toronto for years, even decades—but those guys were just quitters! The Fords are totally sure they can do it, and they make it sound so, so easy.
Or so says the Toronto Sun.
“Just imagine the boost to the economy and tourism — because the NFL has to, it’s not even an option — they would have to give us the Super Bowl within the first four years,” [Doug] said. “To get a Super Bowl, it would be worldwide publicity for Toronto and the tourism would be phenomenal.”
The football-mad Ford brothers feel securing one of the pricey properties, the 32 existing franchises in the U.S. dominate the list of most lucrative North American sports teams and an expansion berth, if ever offered, would likely carry a $1 billion price tag, would be a powerful job creation plan all by itself.
Bringing an NFL team would also mean building a new stadium, but the Fords say they’ll guarantee no public money would be spent. Except, maybe not: the Sun also quotes Ford as saying, “The feds would be onside in a heartbeat”—meaning what, exactly? That Ottawa is going to open the purse for Toronto right around when it buys Quebec City a new hockey arena? The Sun can’t bring itself to take this seriously, making sure people also see Steve Simmons’ cold shower of a column on the front page, next to the two brothers Ford, titled “Ain’t gonna happen.”
The NFL hasn’t been shy about telling cities quite clearly that if they want a franchise, they need to pay for the stadiums. At the very least, the city needs to issue debt to finance the infrastructure upgrades for things like this. Los Angeles is looking at doing just that right now. So how do our new Forderlords square “cutting the debt” and “no public funds” with “NFL in Toronto”?
Doug Ford explains the most important question: why? “To be a world-class city, at least a North American world-class city, we need an NFL team.” Los Angeles can cry itself to sleep knowing the Ford brothers have passed judgment and found it wanting. Meanwhile, if Toronto really tries hard, we could someday be as “North American world class” as Kansas City, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Cleveland.
• Fords want an NFL team in Toronto [Toronto Sun]
• Toronto’s dreaming the impossible NFL dream [Toronto Sun]
• Da Mayor and Da Bears [Toronto Sun]
This is a terrible idea. First, they have absolutely no evidence it will be net economic gain to Canada (most of the players are US so it will likely drain Canadian resources).
The taxpayer should not foot the bill for sports. If fans want to watch NFL so badly, they will pay for it. If not, taxpayers who don’t like football should not have to help pay for it.
Beyond stupid for a hundred reasons, and the cover photo makes me gag. These are the people running the city? Ack.
Never mind the NFL politics, CFL politics and costs — even if those were resolved, which is a tall order for Mr. Complex Issues, building a stadium in Downsview Park would be an atrocious land use. Nothing like 30,000 parking spaces polluting the landscape 355 days of the year in what is supposed to be park space. But hey, it would be a short drive from Etobicoke, right, so it must be a super idea!
Dumb & Dumber
The idea of the NFL in Toronto is nothing new. Paul Godfrey has been making a case for this already for many years. The fact that Rob Ford would support it is not surprising, nor is there anything wrong with that. Ford is allowed to be a football fan. I don’t believe that any initiative to bring an NFL team to Toronto would involve public money as guys like Paul Godfrey are the ones making the push. I certainly don’t believe a stadium will be built with taxpayer money either…at least not the majority…I think everyone has learned from the Skydome fiasco. As long as that is the case…I don’t have a problem with any of this.
I believe that any proposals for an NFL franchise would be spearheaded by Rogers…who already owns the Blue Jays and has been known to be interested in obtaining the Leafs and Raptors too. Rogers already owns the Rogers Centre and would logically pay for any upgrades to the stadium itself in order to accommodate more seats, etc.
Yes…the NFL to Toronto would be good…but only if the money is coming from the private sector.
Meanwhile, if Toronto really tries hard, we could someday be as “North American world class” as Kansas City, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Cleveland.
The elitism in this publication makes me want to gag.
Seriously Natalie? They’re simply pointing out the idiocy of the non-definition of “world class”. We’ve already been told by the Fords that LRT is “third world” transit – I suppose by that standard that San Francisco, or Prague, or etc etc etc is a third world country. This sort of labels are useless as they have no basis in reality. Much like the word “elitism”.
I had often wondered why Rob Ford wanted to be mayor (I mean, he doesn’t even seem to like Toronto). Now we know.
Also, well said, Mr. Whistler
Rob ford is the best ting that ever happened to this city:
http://thirtykzone.com/2011/01/21/like-him-or-not-rob-ford-is-proactive-and-keeps-to-his-word/
What doesn’t make you lefties gag? All you do is post sarcastic gaging comments about Mayor Rob Ford. Yet when Miller or McGuinty squeezes the life out of our pay cheques to give to you, self proclaimed entitlement crowd, you cheer them on. Oh, how I wish I could meet you clowns face to face.
GROW UP ALREADY AND LEARN TO READ……IT WON’T COST US A THING AND IT WILL BRING BIG BUCKS TO MANY PEOPLE.
Seems to me, your not happy unless we, the majority of tax paying citizens are being gouged to death by your blood sucking Liberals, so that they can hand it over to you. I guess your just pissed that those days are partly over and come this next election, all of it will be over, since Tim Hudak will win and finally put an end to all this gouging once and for all.
This devout ex-Liberal, never ever wants to see the Liberal party in office ever again. They have done nothing but try to destroy the middle class at every turn. Shame on them. They are an insult to the memory of the late Trudeau.
This Nanny/Prison/Stalin State is coming to an end. Deal with it!
Yeah Mayor Rob Ford, Go Man Go! :)
Awesome, awesome, AWESOME. An NFL team is the one thing that has prevented me from saying Toronto is the BEST. As a Canadian first, east-coaster second, i would be very proud if the city of Toronto got an NFL franchise.
LOL @ Missy. That was hilarious.
I don’t want to sound to elitest when I say this so I will choose my words carefully. Missy, you are an idiot.
Good news public transit to be cutailed so we can have more gridlock to get to a football game and to work.
@G_A ,
Don’t sweat it…..in your wildest dreams you could never sound like an elitist!
hahahah and as far as calling me names, excuse me, that’s NOT the Miller & McGuinty Politically Correct way is it………IGNORANT PUBLIC SECTOR MORON! hahahahah
YEAH ROB FORD, GO MAN GO AND THIS OCTOBER,
YEAH TIM HUDAK, GO MAN GO!!!
Bring on the private sector projects and bring down the Nanny/Stalin Public Sector State!
:)
Dear Ford…stay in Chicago and never come back.
Signed, real Canadian.
@Mr Whistler ***Thank you! hahahah, it sure felt good finally saying it like it is.
Enough with these backward, Gimmie, I want, Me, Me, Me, Crowd.
Reality Bites and the tax payers are tired of being bitten. hahahah!
It really makes the lefties real nervous that they will have to work in their future downsized cushy gov’t jobs, and/or especially in the private sector, doesn’t it? hahahah!
Yeah Mayor Ford, bring on the PRIVATE SECTOR NFL TEAM!!! And any other private sector plan that will lift the tax burden off all of our shoulders.
:))))
these fat fcuk’s are so out to lunch.
distraction politics 101.
they are playing the political indifference card to a tee.
On the world stage a football team does not, remotely, make fod a “world-class” city. But you know what does? Having the largest film festival in the world. We have that already, so suck-it, Ford brothers.
@ Missy
You need to read between the lines, you look like a fool taking everything Ford says at face value.
Also: “Gimmie, I want, Me, Me, Me, Crowd” tends to apply more to conservatives. What you seem not to realise is lower taxes = less effective government service (education, health care, etc.) Perhaps you think this is a grand old idea, you can pay for whatever YOU need, so you’re just fine! But really, it’s selfish. Since there are loads of people far more in need than either of us who cannot afford such luxuries, it is selfish.
Give your head a shake and learn how these things work a little better. If you’re comfortable being selfish that’s fine by me, but don’t get your insults crossed.
Thank you S, for finally saying what many logical individuals are also thinking, and doing so without petty name-calling, “cyber-yelling” or far too much punctuation than one could ever need.
It is disappointing to see how individuals can continue to believe everything that they hear or read, without bothering to consider the other side of the argument or think critically about whether this is actually true? I mean, as we all know, the SUN is a completely unbiased source of news, and presents only the facts, making it useless for us to use our own power of thought (haha), but sometimes it’s advisable to do so.
The very suggestion that bringing an NFL franchise to Toronto would not cost a thing, and would bring jobs and revenue to the city is hardly even fathomable. For starters, we have our own Canadian football league (yes, that’s right, we do!) which is one of the oldest running professional sports leagues in north america, and bringing the NFL to Toronto would just be another way of ignoring a vital part of our own culture and heritage. And, judging by the empty stadiums during the argos games, just how are we supposed to fill a stadium with 70-75000? I would like to hear the answer to that (and I’m sure I’ll hear something). As well, exactly how one could believe that the federal government will be right on board, and handing out those extra funds for an unnecessary stadium that has no guarantee of success and use? Really?
The last thing I will say, is that thank goodness there will be so many jobs that will magically appear, and the revenue that will be generated (by who–Oh, the people who will get these new jobs?) by bringing this “free” source of entertainment to Toronto. Especially judging from the current situation of unemployment in the city. How is this going to happen again? I think I missed that….
If it’s not glaringly obvious that this is an absurd idea, then I’m sorry that you just don’t get it.
Perhaps, you would enjoy living south of the border in one of the “world-class cities” over there–I don’t think I want you here pretending to be Canadian.
LOL does Mr. Ford think this is the most pressing issue in Toronto right now?
I could care less if I sound elitist Missy. When I want the opinion of some idiot suburban housewife I’ll give it to you. The city is going to shut th PC’s down as usual and you can go back to your crazy right wing nutjob rantings and taking the kids to soccer practice ok moron? Good, now be gone, we’re done with you now.
Toronto already has an NFL team. They’re called the “Bills”. Suckers.
What a pair of goofballs, and enough of this `world class`shit. Toronto will never be world class simply because it has nothing to offer that is world class. To Rob Ford: stay here and fix the roads, traffic, parking,the waterfront,the garbage strewn all over the city, the homeless…I can go on and on. After listening to Rob Ford so many times on the radio with his juvenile manner, repetition and just plain petty nonsense, it`s pretty obvious why Toronto will never be world class. I so envy hick Calgary for the classy, educated, mannered, presentable, cordial, and well spoken mayor that graces their town.
no tailgating = no nfl
As an NFL fan, I wait with bated breath.
As a Torontonian, I wish my world class city was not represented by these two schoolyard bullies who look like they’re ready to kick my ass on the field (or Turkish rug).
Just think, if we got the NFL, the Sun will have 137 pages of sports instead of 24. lucky us!
I think we have bigger problems to address than a lack of football team. We have soccer, baseball and hockey and basketball that is quite enough sports for most people.
We still have a problem with housing and homelessness not to mention drastic cuts to services for the disabled and the blind and he wants to do what? waste money on something we don’t need. Now I am sorry I wasted my vote on this idiot I should have spoiled it! shame on you Rob Ford! Shame on you!
Pick on the less fortunate and suck up to your money coffers.
I won’t be voting you in next time you are worse than Miller if that is possible.
“World-class city”?! Only American cities have NFL teams! There was an NFL Europe but it failed. And the NFL tends to necessitate acres of ugly parking lots, making an area dull, boring, and ugly when there’s not a game happening (i.e. most of the time). The public investment for a corporate money-machine is also a disgrace.
For a city that commands the world’s attention, there are several areas Rob Ford should focus on. He should ensure that Toronto has many attractive and well-maintained public spaces, like parks, squares and the waterfront. Waterfront Toronto has some amazing plans and many remarkable improvements like Sugar Beach have already been completed. The mayor should work to realize the vision. Expand the transit system. Be a leader in green initiatives. Invest in culture, or at least plan cultural initiatives and work with the private sector.
However, that’s exactly the sort of action that Ford has failed to endorse over the course of his political career.
The NFL in Toronto a fiasco
So far there are 2 preseason games, and 3 regular season NFL games in Toronto. None of these games where full houses (less than 54,000). Worse, very few paid they tickets at full price. Tens of thousands where reduced tickets. Tens of thousands more, where free tickets. And still, not one full house in 5 games! Toronto region is where there are the most NFL fans in Canada.
Why Canadians didn’t come to see Peyton Manning and the Colts or Ricky Williams? Perhaps Canadians are better placed to compare the show offered by the two football leagues. The CFL is so much faster and exciting. The NFL resembles more baseball and the CFL more with hockey. You know, Canadians love hockey.
Evan with the Rogers telecommunications strong marketing and the Medias propaganda, you can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.
Some football fans need to step back from their usual perspective and judge by what they see.
1- For an NFL team to survive in a market like Toronto it needs to be the #1 sport and it probably won’t happen.
2- Football fans are divided between the Canadian league and the powerful foreign country league the NFL. Many football fans will not forgive the NFL for killing the Canadian league.
3- What proof is there that Toronto will attract a larger crowd? The city can’t get 54,000 NFL fans into the Skydome. To survive it will need to get 65,000 – 70,000 fans on a regular basic. Rogers gave away something like 60,000 tickets so far and still do not have a single NFL full house yet. If fans don’t even bother to go when it’s free, on what basis do some say that the NFL will do well in Toronto? In the end, who’s going to pay for the NFL catastrophe? Rogers customers and Toronto’s citizens. Many say it may not have enough TV revenues anyway.
4- The 78 million dollar deal to bring the Bills to Toronto is a big flop. This would be nothing compared to the enormous losses if an NFL team would come to Toronto.
5- After all that money spent, what guarantee is there that Toronto would have a good team? As well, what guarantee would fans have that they will see a high percentage of exciting NFL games? This is in the NFL a very rare thing anyway.
6- Frankly I do not understand why, but some prefer the NFL. That’s their choice and we have to respect this. Nobody is depriving them of watching NFL games on TV. The CFL can’t compete against a 9 billions League. Why risk depriving the rest of the country who love the Canadian football? 42% of Canadians citizens watched the Grey Cup entirely or partly in 2010. On TSN, the CFL became the #1 sport last year. Still some want to impose the NFL in Toronto (in Canada); can we consider this attitude a little egotistical? Is that having class?
i am going to buy an Argos tickets flex pack just to spite these 2 chubby goombas
Idiocy at its highest. A bafoon and an ignorant self centered moron who wants to shape this amazing city into garbage so he can swim in it. You Mr. Ford are a lame attempt for mayor. I would be 10x the mayor you ever want to be.
A new word for you:
Toronterrorist