SPORTSNET.CA
Roger Goodell took time out of his annual Super Bowl address to thank the CFL for its support in year one of the Bills in Toronto series.
"The two games up in Toronto were tremendously successful for us," the NFL commissioner told reporters on Friday. "We said the objective was to regionalize the Buffalo Bills and we achieved those objectives. We were able to increase our season ticket sales in the Toronto area significantly, over 40 per cent. From that stand point we achieved what our original objective was."
While CFL commissioner Mark Cohon did not travel to Tampa for this year's game, Goodell reinforced the fact that the relationship between the two leagues is stronger than ever.
"We have a great relationship with the CFL. I just reached out to the CFL commissioner this week," Goodell said. "We had long negotiations with them and they determined in their best interests that they did not need an alliance or any type of formal arrangements and we will continue to do what is in the best interests of football."
Rogers Communications paid $78.5-million for eight Bills games to be staged in Toronto between 2008 and 2012, five of which are regular-season matches. The December 7, regular season was announced as a sell out, with ticket prices averaging $183 -- more than triple the $51 (U.S.) average price the Bills will charge for its home games at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
"I met with the people who are promoting the games, Rogers Communications along with the Bills earlier this week and I am very confident that next year's game will be bigger and better," Goodell said of the Bills in Toronto series. "I think they will evaluate every aspect of the game, including the pricing, and I think they will do a terrific job and it will be a great game."

