Could The CFL And The Argos Survive An NFL Team In Toronto?

Cats and dogs.

Oil and water.

The Hatfields and the McCoys.

The Buffalo Bills and the Argos?

Some of these things may not get along very well with each other but the CFL and the NFL don’t have to be among them in Toronto. There have been fears for years that a National Football League franchise in this city would effectively wipe out its Canadian counterpart.

But as the Bills get ready to play the Steelers in the first ever-NFL game in Toronto on Thursday, both sides are assuring they can not only exist together should a team ever be awarded here, but that both can thrive.

There are still a few tickets left for the pre-season game at Rogers Centre, but it’s almost sold-out. ( You can see if there are any left here.)

How did this most unlikely of alliances come about?

“I think there’s a natural synergy between Buffalo and Toronto,” explains Adrian Montgomery of Rogers Media, which helped arrange the union. “It’s close. There’s a lot of Buffalo Bills fans in Toronto. Over 10 per cent of their fans on any given Sunday are from southwestern Ontario so it seemed like a perfect fit.”

Argos C.E.O. and former coach and player Mike “Pinball” Clemons insists it’s a match made in heaven because it gives football a higher profile overall.

“For us, it really has been about focusing on our own business,” he outlines. “There are many different entertainment options in what I believe is the most marvelous city in the world. Sometimes things that are competing and sometimes those entities partner, right? So with us here there is a partnership that has been developed and the partnership has been to promote football, to give access not only to the Bills but the Argo games and vice versa.”

He notes season ticket holders got first rights to Bills tickets and that the partnership has worked well.

What do fans here think about an NFL franchise hitting the Rogers Centre on a full time basis? Most seem to feel it’s a winning touchdown.

“I think it’s a great idea,” agrees a football supporter named Barrie. “I’d like to see an NFL team here, but whether it will happen or not, I don’t know.

“Anytime the NFL comes to town, it’s a great time,” adds Gavin Evento, who has his priorities straight. “Plenty of fun. Plenty of drinks, girls.”

Lindsay Wong claims you don’t have to be a gridiron supporter to like the concept. “It’s great for the city. Be a good chance to watch NFL football for a change and see how it compares to the CFL. Who knows, maybe we’ll get a franchise in town one day?”

You can be sure the NFL will be watching the numbers to see if the attendance justifies our consideration. So supporters are hoping for big turnouts so that a team could one day come here.

Until then, they can all content themselves with the next best thing – Buffalo playing selected games in Toronto over the next few years. The first Bills come due Thursday night at 7:30pm.