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I am NOT in favor of sports franchises getting money from the city/county/state.
IF some person wants to spend one billion+ for a profession sports team, they should be able to move it ANYWHERE the LEAGUE allows them to. I suspect that the NFL would have preferred if the Bills had moved to the Rogers Center in Toronto.

Bringing a NFL franchise to the largest metro area in Canada is a much smarter business move than a small market team like Buffalo. I have no idea what Erie County/NYS gave in financial breaks to keep the Bills in Orchard Park. Where I grew up.

Just like I do not blame the Raiders for moving to Las Vegas. Oakland is a SH#T hole city. If I went to Vegas, I would go to a game there. I would not if I was visiting San Fran or Oakland. I might go to a Giants baseball game because the location of that stadium.

I would think the Portland politicians would evaluate the revenue impact of having the Trailblazers in downtown Portland or not. Does it bring in enough revenue annually to pay for the tax breaks they are asking for?

As far as the owner of the Trailblazers to leverage the fact that he COULD move the team to another city. I do not blame him. He is running a business. He is trying to make the best deal he can. IF the CITY/state of OR gives him a deal that is bad for the city then they ARE STUPID. I wouldn’t blame the owner for asking for it. Blame the city council/mayor/governor for giving it to them.

“IF the CITY/state of OR gives him a deal that is bad for the city then they ARE STUPID.”

You are still missing the point.

The owners bribe local officials to gain their support.

The goal of the owners is to make as much money as they can.

The goal of the politicians is to make as much money as they can.

The only stupid people are members of the public who think this is a great thing.

Bringing a NFL franchise to the largest metro area in Canada is a much smarter business move than a small market team like Buffalo.

I am going to disagree. The Green Bay Packers have the smallest market by far, but they have a national fan base. The Packers are one of the most successful franchises in football by any metric, including profit, you could choose to employ. Los Angeles, the second biggest market in the country, was vacant for 20 years because the city/state wouldn't pony up the money for a new stadium (an unusually wise decision for LA). Even now, the Rams and the Chargers draw more visiting fans (especially when the Raiders or 49ers are in town) than most teams do. Bills fans are both knowledgeable and loyal.

The Canadian market is different. You already have the CFL Argonauts, and some Canadians would prefer to support the home product. Others will travel to Buffalo. The Canadian dollar is weak and might well get much weaker. Most Canadians would rather watch the Maple Leafs lose than the Toronto Bills win, because hockey is THE sport in Canada, and the seasons overlap.

The NBA tried putting two teams in Canada, and one failed (Vancouver), the other is still there (Toronto Raptors) but not exactly getting mindshare. MLB tried two teams, and the Montreal Expos were available only on streaming Internet with no local TV or cable by the end (the streaming in those days was still largely 56K modems, frustrating to watch).

Buffalo is a sports town, and the fans appreciate having the Bills, despite the heartbreaks. I hope they get a break when my Rams are in a down year (which is NOT this year).

Bringing a NFL franchise to the largest metro area in Canada is a much smarter business move than a small market team like Buffalo.

No because they will have to pay a couple of billion dollars just to host 8 home games a year. Oh and maybe a Taylor Swift concert.

It wouldn't be that bad if they could build it like the The Big House (Michigan) but that is no longer possible because it is required to be a state of art stadium with all the amenities.