In 2013, Rogers Communications paid the Buffalo Bills $78 million for the right to host seven Bills home games, to test-drive the market in Toronto for the National Football League.
The games, spread over five seasons, took place at the Rogers Center. Bills ownership appreciated the up-front cash, and the chance to rebrand their franchise as regional. But the results? Inconclusive. The first regular season game drew 52,134 spectators. The final game, in 2013, attracted 38,969. An agreement to extend the series was dissolved after 2013, and Toronto hasn’t hosted a National Football League game since.
