Toronto Needs a Stadium To Get an NFL Team – Goodell

A writer for the Toronto Sun has made the case for for an NFL expansion team in Toronto.

John Kryk has written extensively about why Toronto would be an excellent NFL city. As he points out, its 6 million population makes it the largest North American market without an NFL franchise.

The biggest impediment to an NFL team in the area is the lack of a suitable stadium to house the team. That’s according to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

Kryk managed to ambush the commissioner with his Canada question at the annual pre Super Bowl press conference in Miami.

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“I’m from Western New York. I spent a lot of time in Canada as a young kid, and I have nothing but admiration for Toronto,” said Roger Goodell.

“I think it’s a great city that continues to evolve, continues to grow. It certainly could be a great city for an NFL team.

“The one thing I’ve said openly over the years – you may not be aware of it – but a stadium that is up to NFL standards is going to be a certain requirement. That is going to be an important element that’s going to have to be focused on. It’s not enough to just have a great city, which you have. You have to have a facility also.”

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Arthur Blank, one of the most influential owners, is also the owner of Atlanta United in the MLS. He echoed Goodell’s comments that a stadium is the only real barrier.

“Well, I think there are discussions all the time about where we’re playing, and what opportunities there are for international growth,” Blank said. 

“And certainly Canada is part of that discussion. As you point out, we’ve had great success in London for games, but there are some logistical challenges in having a team based there, and having other teams travel there, and players living there. So it’s a little different situation.

“With a stadium, I’d certainly be very supportive of a team there,” Blank said.