Buffalo Bills Add Toronto Sports Icons as Part-Owners to Boost Franchise Value
Buffalo Bills are expanding their ownership group with Toronto sports icons as minority partners, signaling a strategic focus on the Toronto market to increase franchise value.
The new limited partners include NBA Hall of Famers Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady, along with soccer star Jozy Altidore. Seven additional investors from various financial and business sectors have also joined the ownership group.
Tracy McGrady smiling in press photo
Bills owner Terry Pegula emphasized Toronto's importance to the franchise's growth strategy, noting that the new partners were specifically chosen for their influence in the Toronto market. Currently valued at $4.2 billion by Forbes, the Bills already benefit from approximately 8,000 Toronto-area season ticket holders.
This move represents a shift from the team's previous Toronto experience. The "Bills Toronto Series" (2008-2012) faced criticism due to high ticket prices and poor team performance, resulting in a 1-5 record. After acquiring ownership in 2014, Pegula canceled the series and focused on strengthening the team's presence in Buffalo, including the construction of a new $2 billion stadium in Orchard Park.
The complete list of new investors includes:
- Arctos (private investment firm)
- Rob Palumbo (Accel-KKR)
- Sue McCollum (Eagle Brand Sales)
- Theresia Gouw (Acrew Capital)
- Rob Ward (Meritech Capital)
- Mike Joo (Bank of America)
- Tom Burger (Gridiron Capital)
The Bills have emerged as a top NFL team under Pegula's ownership and remain one of Ontario's most popular betting choices among licensed sportsbook operators.
