Bills notebook
Toronto is eager to host more games if schedule expands
TORONTO — If the NFL decides to add a 17th game to the regular-season schedule, then organizers of the Buffalo Bills series in Toronto will be eager to bring that game to Canada.
Phil Lind, vice chairman of Rogers Communications, said Saturday that his company would be eager to expand on the existing eight-game, five-year deal with the Bills if the opportunity presented itself.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has expressed interest in adding a game to the current 16-game regular-season schedule each team plays and taking a game away from the preseason schedule.
However, any such change in the number of regular-season games would have to be collectively bargained with the NFL Players Association. The NFL schedule is set in stone through the 2009 season. An expansion in the schedule could not happen before the 2010 season, and it might be hard to make it happen that soon.
Nevertheless, if it does happen, Rogers executives would see it as an opportunity to expand on the current deal with the Bills, which runs through 2012.
“Absolutely we’re going to go for that game, if it happens,” said Lind during an informal gathering with reporters at Rogers Centre, site of today’s game between the Bills and Miami Dolphins. “We’re going to look for that one and maybe another one. . . . Generally speaking, am I open to a game or two more? Yes.”
While the subject is speculative at this point, Lind’s comments show that Rogers Communications is happy with its agreement with the Bills. The fact that this year’s games did not sell out as quickly as expected due to high ticket prices has not diminished the enthusiasm of the Toronto organizers over the partnership.
At the same time, Lind tried to allay fears that the partnership is a threat to the Bills’ viability in Buffalo.
“By linking up with other cities and sharing a game or two, it’s a tremendously positive force to keeping the team in Buffalo, which is what we are trying to do,” he said. “Our involvement gives the Bills extra financial muscle to stay in Buffalo. . . . We think it’s a win-win, far better than the whole darn thing moving to L. A.”
Lind also acknowledged the fact Goodell is supportive of the Bills staying in Buffalo.
“Roger has a tremendous affinity for Buffalo. And Roger would be highly loathe to see a team move from Buffalo,” Lind said.
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The Bills placed rookie defensive end Chris Ellis on the injured-reserve list and added defensive lineman Corey Mace to the 53-man active roster.
Ellis, the Bills’ third-round draft choice, is suffering from an ankle injury that occurred in last week’s game and was not expected to play today.
Mace has been on the Bills’ practice squad all of this season and for 15 games of last season. He was promoted to the active roster for the season finale last year. Mace, 6-foot-3 and 294 pounds, will get to play in his homeland today. He’s a native of Port Moody, British Columbia. He played in college at Wyoming.
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