Latest news with #AnthonySprague
National Post
26-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Blue Jays farm team in Buffalo feeling absence of Canadian fans
Article content Southern Ontario baseball fans usually account for as much as 20 per cent of ticket sales at Buffalo Bisons home games, but this season is going to be different. Article content Article content 'We have seen a reduction this year. We can track ticket sales for the season, what the percentages are, and we're down 10 to 15 per cent on Canadian fans,' said Bisons GM Anthony Sprague. 'That's a significant decline from previous years.' Article content That's a worrying trend, and the situation has been compounded by weather woes that resulted in a handful of postponed games and contributed to a serious drop in attendance. Through 21 home dates, as of May 19, the Bisons averaged about 4,300 fans per game at Sahlen Field, their beautiful downtown ball yard. Last year, the Bisons attracted an average of 6,232 fans per game, while the full-year number was 7,165 in 2023 and 6,846 in 2022. Article content 'The weather has been beyond atrocious,' said Sprague. 'I can't remember a worse start weather-wise. We haven't had a stretch where it's been 80 degrees. Just rain and cold.' Article content Who are the Buffalo Bisons and why do they usually have so many Canadian fans at their games? Article content The Bisons are a Triple-A, minor league baseball team competing in the 20-team International League, along with the likes of the Durham Bulls, who were made famous by the movie Bull Durham. In 2013, the Bisons became the top minor league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, and as such, have been the launching pad for Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and other members of Canada's only Major League Baseball team. Article content Article content Given that relationship, and the fact that Buffalo is located literally across the Peace Bridge from Fort Erie, Ont., Canadians have long been a staple at Bisons home games. Sports fans from southern Ontario also regularly attend Buffalo Sabres National Hockey League games and Buffalo Bills National Football League games. Article content As Sprague mentioned, the weather hasn't helped. But the Herd had already been thinned by a lethal blend of politics and economics, as some Canadian fans took offence at U.S. president Donald Trump's repetitive rhetoric — calling Canadians nasty, and flippantly referring to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the governor of America's 51 st state — and his manipulative, on-again, off-again trade tariffs which have rocked stock markets worldwide. Article content As a result, many Canadians, sports fans and otherwise, have chosen not to spend time or money in the U.S. this year. Border crossings by vehicle from Canada into the states were down 35 per cent in April and 32 per cent in March, compared to the same months in 2024.
Toronto Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Blue Jays farm team in Buffalo feeling absence of Canadian fans
Tariff drama and 'beyond atrocious' weather have not helped matters. The moon rises over the message to the Buffalo fans during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox at Sahlen Field on July 21, 2021 in Buffalo, New York. Photo by Kevin Hoffman / Getty Images Southern Ontario baseball fans usually account for as much as 20 per cent of ticket sales at Buffalo Bisons home games, but this season is going to be different. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'We have seen a reduction this year. We can track ticket sales for the season, what the percentages are, and we're down 10 to 15 per cent on Canadian fans,' said Bisons GM Anthony Sprague. 'That's a significant decline from previous years.' That's a worrying trend, and the situation has been compounded by weather woes that resulted in a handful of postponed games and contributed to a serious drop in attendance. Through 21 home dates, as of May 19, the Bisons averaged about 4,300 fans per game at Sahlen Field, their beautiful downtown ball yard. Last year, the Bisons attracted an average of 6,232 fans per game, while the full-year number was 7,165 in 2023 and 6,846 in 2022. 'The weather has been beyond atrocious,' said Sprague. 'I can't remember a worse start weather-wise. We haven't had a stretch where it's been 80 degrees. Just rain and cold.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Who are the Buffalo Bisons and why do they usually have so many Canadian fans at their games? The Bisons are a Triple-A, minor league baseball team competing in the 20-team International League, along with the likes of the Durham Bulls, who were made famous by the movie Bull Durham. In 2013, the Bisons became the top minor league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, and as such, have been the launching pad for Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and other members of Canada's only Major League Baseball team. Given that relationship, and the fact that Buffalo is located literally across the Peace Bridge from Fort Erie, Ont., Canadians have long been a staple at Bisons home games. Sports fans from southern Ontario also regularly attend Buffalo Sabres National Hockey League games and Buffalo Bills National Football League games. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Why are fewer Canadians attending Bisons games this season? As Sprague mentioned, the weather hasn't helped. But the Herd had already been thinned by a lethal blend of politics and economics, as some Canadian fans took offence at U.S. president Donald Trump's repetitive rhetoric — calling Canadians nasty, and flippantly referring to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the governor of America's 51st state — and his manipulative, on-again, off-again trade tariffs which have rocked stock markets worldwide. As a result, many Canadians, sports fans and otherwise, have chosen not to spend time or money in the U.S. this year. Border crossings by vehicle from Canada into the states were down 35 per cent in April and 32 per cent in March, compared to the same months in 2024. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We have seen this (coming) and known about this for a couple of months now, and we have tried the one-on-one approach, talking to each individual, seeing what we can do to have them come down,' said Sprague. 'It's not as if we just said 'Oh my God, this is happening.' We have been actively thinking about this and working on it for months now. 'We just came to a point where we said it's been a while since we had a full-on communication with our Canadian fans and specifically those we know come out every year and have tickets. So we sent an email letter and openly said 'we know this is not going away, we know this is still top of mind for you, here are things we're doing if you're willing to come down, but if we're missing the mark on anything or if there is anything we could potentially do to get you to come down and enjoy the great family atmosphere we have, please let us know.'' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. What are those Canadian fans telling the Bisons? 'They're saying we love you, this letter means a lot to us, that you would reach out to get our feedback, to see what you could do to get us here,' said Sprague. 'Some are saying there is nothing you can do. Some are saying we're going to see how the summer goes and hopefully we will be there. It's great to hear from our fans, so that they know we're here and we will be here forever for them. 'We know, everyone knows what the issue is, we know that's there. Is there anything we could do to make you feel more welcome?' The weak Canadian dollar also stops some cross-border traffic. How do the Bisons address that issue? The team usually offers Canadian fans a 30 per cent discount on ticket prices for any purchases made by May 31. Given the decline in Canadian attendance and the over-riding issues behind it, Sprague said the team will extend the offer through the entirety of their 75-game regular season home schedule, which is due to wrap up Sept. 21. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We are looking at additional marketing elements and additional ways to make the Canadians feel welcome here,' said Sprague. 'These are some hard times. Aside from the financial aspect of it, we want to do something to extend the olive branch to our Canadian fans and say we still love you.' Both American and Canadian anthems are played prior to all Bisons home games. Has there been any booing of the Canadian anthem? 'No adverse responses at all to the Canadian anthem,' said Sprague. 'We didn't think it was going to happen. We hope people come here to forget about their political differences and what not. We hope you're coming here to enjoy baseball and have fun.' This isn't the first time the Bisons' Canadian fans have been absent in large numbers. Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic were particularly debilitating. How does this situation compare? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's completely different circumstances but we had similar issues,' said Sprague. 'In 2022, it was late summer before (cross-border) restrictions were removed, and our Canadian fan base was almost zero then. Last year we just about got back to where we felt we were pre-pandemic, and this year was going to be the year to get us back, you could see the trend, so it's unfortunate that we're facing this again.' What are the Bisons telling their Canadian fans who have decided not to attend games so far this season? 'This sounds cliché but in minor league baseball our fans are our family so when this started to take place, we had an open dialogue with them,' said Sprague. 'They felt comfortable sharing with us through phone calls and emails back and forth on the issues that they are facing and what we can potentially try to do to make them feel safe and comfortable and welcome. It's very much out of our control. All we can do is the best we can.' dbarnes@ Ontario Football Music Money News Toronto & GTA
