<P> Godfrey was named President and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays when the team was purchased by Rogers Communications in 2000 . At the time, Godfrey stated that "part of my responsibilities are to chase an NFL team and other sports options". Ted Rogers, who had held discussion with Godfrey with regards to owning an NFL team as far back as 1994, said that "We think the city deserves an NFL team . We want to be part of that ." Corporate ownership is forbidden under the NFL's ownership policy, so Rogers Communications would not be able to buy a team like they did with the Blue Jays . Rather Ted Rogers would have had to have purchased it as an individual . When Rogers acquired the New England Sea Wolves of the Arena Football League and relocated them to Toronto a month later, it was suggested that the move would help the drive for an NFL team as the NFL had a close relationship with the AFL . Numerous AFL clubs owned by NFL teams, and the NFL held an option to purchase 49.9% of the AFL, though it never executed it . </P> <P> By this time Godfrey had switched his focus from an expansion team to the relocation of an existing team, saying "I used to think an expansion franchise was the way to go but I'm quite certain now that our best chance would be to acquire an existing franchise . There are four or five franchises in the NFL that could move, and I see no reason why Toronto can't get one of them in the not - too - distant future ." Late that year it was reported that Rogers had targeted the Arizona Cardinals to relocate to Toronto, with plans for the SkyDome to undergo a significant renovation to make it acceptable for the NFL, including removing the attached hotel so it could be replaced with extra seats . In 2001 Godfrey said that "the NFL requires that the team control the luxury box revenues" of its stadium As the SkyDome was owned by Sportsco at the time, this was an impediment to securing a team . However, following the purchase of the stadium by Rogers in 2004, this issue was resolved . </P> <P> It was reported in 2001 that the New Orleans Saints were considering Toronto as a potential city to relocate to . Godfrey has stated that in 2005 the NFL gave him and Tanenbaum permission to discuss the sale of the New Orleans Saints with team owner Tom Benson . It was reported that Benson rejected an offer of $1 billion from a group from Canada intending to relocate it to Canada . However, following Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged New Orleans and severely damaged the Louisiana Superdome, Godfrey stated that "the Saints became a symbol for that community . Whatever deal there might have been disappeared ." The Saints and Louisiana struck a deal to repair and renovate the Superdome, securing the Saints ties to New Orleans . </P> <P> In 2005, then NFL commissioner Tagliabue stated that "it could be very likely that the next franchises in the NFL, beyond (the current) 32, are outside the U.S. Toronto would certainly be a candidate", though a year later he said that "I don't see any expansion on the horizon". In 2006, Tanenbaum said that he and Ted Rogers were "highly interested" in bringing an NFL franchise to Toronto and that he was going to "pursue it more rigorously" as soon as the NFL gave him the word . Daryl Katz, future owner of the Edmonton Oilers, was reportedly approached by the two about joining their group . Later that year, new commissioner Roger Goodell said that international expansion was a "possibility" and that "the closer to the border, probably the more likely from a geographic standpoint ." Toronto is located across Lake Ontario from the US . In 2007, Mark Waller, who was in charge of the NFL's international operations, was quoted as saying "ten years from now, I hope we will have a team...in Toronto, playing within the NFL ." The same year it was reported that the owners of the Argos, David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski, fearing the NFL was preparing to move a team to Toronto, had developed plans to acquire an NFL team themselves and relocate it to Toronto in partnership with other CFL owners to ensure that it was done in a manner to protect the Canadian league . Later that year Rogers Communication would lease the Bills from Ralph Wilson for the Toronto Series . Rogers wouldn't comment on whether the step was a prelude to moving the franchise permanently to Toronto, saying "We didn't say we weren't interested, and we didn't say that we were ." Wilson would not commit to keeping the team in Buffalo, saying "I can't speculate what's going to happen in the future", and adding "But don't worry . Don't worry right now . Does that answer your questions?" </P>

Will there be new teams in the nfl