The Buffalo Bills finished last in their division this year with a 7-9 record, but they ranked in the upper half of the National Football League in attendance, according to figures released Tuesday.
The Bills averaged 68,996 fans for their eight home games — seven at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park and one at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
The Toronto game, part of an eight-game, five-year deal between the Bills and Rogers Communications Inc., actually costs the team attendance. Capacity at Ralph Wilson Stadium is 73,967 compared to approximately 52,000 at Rogers Centre. The Bills, however, are reaping $78 million for the Toronto games, boosting their bottom line.
Here’s how the 32 teams ranked in average attendance per home game in 2008, based on figures compiled by SportsBusiness Journal:
• 1. Washington Redskins, 88,604
• 2. New York Giants, 79,069
• 3. New York Jets, 78,482
• 4. Denver Broncos, 75,509
• 5. Kansas City Chiefs, 74,078
• 6. Carolina Panthers, 73,211
• 7. Cleveland Browns, 72,779
• 8. New Orleans Saints, 71,735
• 9. Baltimore Ravens, 71,269
• 10. Green Bay Packers, 70,683
• 11. Houston Texans, 70,421
• 12. Philadelphia Eagles, 69,144
• 13. Tennessee Titans, 69,143
• 14. Buffalo Bills, 68,996
• 15. New England Patriots, 68,756
The Bills averaged 68,996 fans for their eight home games — seven at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park and one at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
The Toronto game, part of an eight-game, five-year deal between the Bills and Rogers Communications Inc., actually costs the team attendance. Capacity at Ralph Wilson Stadium is 73,967 compared to approximately 52,000 at Rogers Centre. The Bills, however, are reaping $78 million for the Toronto games, boosting their bottom line.
Here’s how the 32 teams ranked in average attendance per home game in 2008, based on figures compiled by SportsBusiness Journal:
• 1. Washington Redskins, 88,604
• 2. New York Giants, 79,069
• 3. New York Jets, 78,482
• 4. Denver Broncos, 75,509
• 5. Kansas City Chiefs, 74,078
• 6. Carolina Panthers, 73,211
• 7. Cleveland Browns, 72,779
• 8. New Orleans Saints, 71,735
• 9. Baltimore Ravens, 71,269
• 10. Green Bay Packers, 70,683
• 11. Houston Texans, 70,421
• 12. Philadelphia Eagles, 69,144
• 13. Tennessee Titans, 69,143
• 14. Buffalo Bills, 68,996
• 15. New England Patriots, 68,756
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