Football By the Borders

The borders might be tightening up to keep some out of the U.S.A.. But they seem to be wide open in efforts to export modern American popular culture in the from of NFL football.

As the Super Bowl is being staged 180 miles to the north, The New York Times visits Nogales along the Arizona-Mexico border in an article titled "In Land of Fútbol, Hoping for Football Fans". In spite of NFL amrketers, the predominent sentiment, at least according to the article, was expressed by one who stated, " “I enjoy listening to people talk about football and their favorite players,” Castro, 42, added. “But I’d rather have a lot of Americans buying in my shop.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/02/sports/02mexico.html?ref=sports


To the north, it's been confirmed that the Buffalo Bills will be playing some of their games in Toronto. The rationale is to tap into the "tremendous amount of interest" the Bills generate across neighboring southern Ontario...". The Bills have maintained this is an extension of their bid to regionalize their base.

But fears have been raised that these games mark the first step toward permanent relocation, especially once long time Buffalo owner Ralph Wilson dies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/nyregion/09bills.html?ref=nyregion

The 89-year-old Wilson doesn't intend to sell or relocate the Bills while he's alive, but does plan to have the team sold to the highest bidder after his death.

In November, Rogers questioned Buffalo's long-term ability to support an NFL franchise, while backing the Bills' bid to play limited games in Toronto.

In Canada, there is some concern about the impact of the arrival of NFL football on the viability of the long-standing Canadian Football League.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=3226376