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So, it could become a reality, at least for this year.
See it could easily happen this year because convenience is a factor. It will never happen permanently because it is too close to Toronto relative to the fact that it would pretty much tie Milwaukee and Cincinnati as the smallest MLB market. One thing that has probably also held MLB back in that regard is decades of shrinking population.
The Bills succeed (and even they had their troubles) because the NFL won't cross the CFL and go into Toronto so it's the next best thing. The Sabres succeed even with a Toronto team (and even they had their troubles) because per capita, Buffalo is one of the most hockey-mad markets in the US, rivaling Minnesota and Boston. But even they had the fortune (like the Bills) of coming to be in the 60s/early 70s when sports executives considered Buffalo more of a serious major league market than they do today (see below about the Braves).
I know that they had a good shot of getting an expansion team in 1969, and a lot of people howled when Montreal got it over them. Had they gotten one, either it would've survived because they wouldn't put a team in Toronto as well and fans from there might've come to see them, or it would've suffered the fate of the NBA Buffalo Braves.
See it could easily happen this year because convenience is a factor. It will never happen permanently because it is too close to Toronto relative to the fact that it would pretty much tie Milwaukee and Cincinnati as the smallest MLB market. One thing that has probably also held MLB back in that regard is decades of shrinking population.
The Bills succeed (and even they had their troubles) because the NFL won't cross the CFL and go into Toronto so it's the next best thing. The Sabres succeed even with a Toronto team (and even they had their troubles) because per capita, Buffalo is one of the most hockey-mad markets in the US, rivaling Minnesota and Boston. But even they had the fortune (like the Bills) of coming to be in the 60s/early 70s when sports executives considered Buffalo more of a serious major league market than they do today (see below about the Braves).
I know that they had a good shot of getting an expansion team in 1969, and a lot of people howled when Montreal got it over them. Had they gotten one, either it would've survived because they wouldn't put a team in Toronto as well and fans from there might've come to see them, or it would've suffered the fate of the NBA Buffalo Braves.
Yes, the ship has sailed in terms of a permanent MLB team, but for this year, it looks like it could be a very viable option.
Something to keep in mind with Buffalo that I’ve mentioned before is that only 2 other metros with over 1 million people are smaller in land size, Hartford and Milwaukee. So, when referring to Buffalo pro teams, you could/should consider parts of adjacent areas in NY and Ontario(even PA in the case of Football).
Yes, the ship has sailed in terms of a permanent MLB team, but for this year, it looks like it could be a very viable option.
Something to keep in mind with Buffalo that I’ve mentioned before is that only 2 other metros with over 1 million people are smaller in land size, Hartford and Milwaukee. So, when referring to Buffalo pro teams, you could/should consider parts of adjacent areas in NY and Ontario(even PA in the case of Football).
It's funny you mentioned that because (not counting the 1800s when they had a baseball team) Hartford has only had one pro sports team ever (the Whalers in the NHL who eventually became the Carolina Hurricanes) because they have the misfortune of being 100 miles from both NYC and Boston, an overshadowing similar to (or perhaps more so) that of Toronto over Buffalo. Though being 100 miles from Chicago hasn't hurt Milwaukee, having all but a pro hockey team (if you count the Green Bay Packers as "their" team, who even played a few games/year in Milwaukee back in the 70s and 80s)
At this point, that ship has sailed. Buffalo is simply too small a market at this point. In theory, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse could trade their individual AAA teams for 1 team that rotates across the three cities. But in practice, that would be impossible as you would need 3 MLB stadiums and the team would constantly be on the road even for home games.
At this point, why would anyone want an arrangement like that when you could put a team in a fast growing MSA like Charlotte, Nashville, Austin, or Raleigh.
At this point, that ship has sailed. Buffalo is simply too small a market at this point. In theory, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse could trade their individual AAA teams for 1 team that rotates across the three cities. But in practice, that would be impossible as you would need 3 MLB stadiums and the team would constantly be on the road even for home games.
At this point, why would anyone want an arrangement like that when you could put a team in a fast growing MSA like Charlotte, Nashville, Austin, or Raleigh.
The only possibility, as mentioned before would be to factor in the Niagara Region/Peninsula of Ontario and other parts of WNY not in the Buffalo MSA, including adjacent parts of the Rochester CSA(Orleans and Genesee counties). That brings the population up to about 2 million people.
With that said, they are more apt to go to those other areas.
I will say, I was surprised when Richmond lost its AAA Baseball team due to the Atlanta Braves moving the team to Gwinnett County GA. So, other factors besides growth are considered.
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