Why Doesn’t Canada Join the NFL?

NFL Expansion: Has Canada Been Considered?

The NFL is always exploring expansion opportunities to reach more fans and increase revenue.

The league currently consists of 32 teams and rumors that the NFL may eventually expand to 36 teams have been reported. Yet a new team hasn’t been added to the existing roster since 2002 when the Houston Texans joined. As a result, there’s no clear timeline for when or where the next team might appear.

Despite the slowed NFL expansion. Toronto is considered a likely prospect to host an NFL team in the future. With a population of nearly 3 million people, it’s the largest city in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The city also has a strong history of NFL interest, dating back to the pre-1960s when it hosted exhibition games.

Toronto also hosted a series of regular season Buffalo Bills games between 2008 and 2013 at the Rogers Centre, further fueling speculation that the NFL might eventually call the city home.

However, the hopes of expansion aren’t straightforward and some barriers prevent such developments from occurring in Canada.

CFL vs NFL: Two Different Games

Ultimately, the CFL and NFL are different. While both leagues play football, there are distinct differences in the rules, which affect the flow of the game and the types of athletes who excel in each league.

For instance, the CFL has 22 players on the pitch while the NFL has 24, the CFL allows only three downs per possession, compared to four downs in the NFL and different scoring systems are used. Even the field sizes are different, with the CFL having larger 110-yard-long and 65-yard-wide pitches, compared to the NFL’s 100-yard-long, 53.3-yard-wide field.

On the surface, these rule differences may seem insignificant but they can impact player approach, performance and tactics. Players who therefore thrive in the CFL might not be successful in the NFL, and vice versa.

There have been several moments when a merger or direct competition between the NFL and CFL seemed possible. In the 1990s, discussions about CFL teams, like the Toronto Argonauts, potentially joining the NFL took place. However, these talks never materialized, largely because of concerns about the impact on the CFL’s overall quality and the differences in the style of play.

The Issue of Money

One of the major stumbling blocks for an NFL expansion into Canada is the issue of taxes. NFL players in the US benefit from a generally lower tax environment compared to Canada.

In Canada, income taxes can be significantly higher. For instance, a player earning $5 million in the US might take home a larger percentage of that income than they would in Canada. Here, both federal and provincial taxes take a large portion.

This could create an issue for Canadian teams attracting top-tier talent, as players would likely demand higher salaries to offset the increased tax burden. Also, this could leave Canadian franchises with a competitive disadvantage on and off the field.

Additionally, there are cost implications to setting up a franchise and certain infrastructure is required. To cope with the national and global interest of the NFL, Canadian teams would need upgrades in several areas, which need significant financial investment.

Just looking at stadiums, for example, the average NFL stadium has a capacity of around 60,000 seats. However, the largest Canadian stadiums are below this number. For example, Toronto’s Rogers Centre, where NFL games have been played, can hold about 50,000 fans for football. BMO Field, home to the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, has a capacity of just 28,000.

A Threat to the CFL and Canadian Sports Culture

A cause for concern among Canadian players, teams and fans is the potential damage an NFL expansion could do to the CFL.

The CFL was formed in 1958 and holds a special place in the hearts of Canadian sports fans. Teams like the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Montreal Alouettes have deep roots in their communities. The elite Grey Cup, Canada’s version of the Super Bowl, is also one of the country’s most cherished sporting events.

If Canada were to get an NFL team, particularly in a major market like Toronto, it could pose an existential threat to the CFL. An NFL team in the Ontario province could draw fans, resources and viewership away from the Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Ottawa Redblacks. Again, such a change might decrease the quality of the CFL.

Already, even without a merger, the NFL and CFL have similar viewing figures. In 2023, a study found that 62% of Canadian football fans would watch the Super Bowl over the Grey Cup. This shows that fans are watching plenty of NFL games, and bringing more interest to Canada would threaten the domestic game.

NFL Expansion in Global Hubs

Canada isn’t the only market the NFL has considered for expansion. London, UK, has hosted more NFL games in recent years, sparking speculation that the league might eventually establish a team there. Similarly, Mexico City has been considered as a potential hub for an NFL franchise.

Overall, these markets offer something that Toronto doesn’t. They’re massive international cities with huge populations and untapped potential for advertisement, marketing and investment.

Aside from potential global expansion, the NFL has considered US cities like San Antonio, St. Louis, and Oklahoma City as candidates for future teams. These domestic markets might appeal more to the NFL than Canadian cities. Setting up a new franchise in any US city does not have complications surrounding international taxes, rules, or competition with an established local league.

Why Doesn’t Canada Join the NFL? It’s Complicated

Significant obstacles make a Canadian merger into the NFL very unlikely. Taxes, differences in rules, competition with the CFL, and the financial burden of establishing a new franchise have previously prevented the NFL from expanding north of the border.

If any expansion into Canada happens, Toronto is the most serious contender. However, any NFL shift into this city would take time and massive investment to establish a new franchise with new resources.

Currently, Canada’s relationship with the NFL is likely to remain as it is. Canadian fans can access NFL games on streaming services and even travel to nearby cities like Buffalo to watch in person.