I don't know but I'm sure it was a huge part of it. I'm sure we would have received a National League team.
Yup that seems about right as far as the metro area goes. We're still struggling to get back all those people that fled to the burbs. It's slowly happening though, and it's great to see. What people don't realize is the population around the city and WNY is pretty good. We do a great job of supporting the 2 teams we do have imo. For a smaller city we've sold out the majority of Bills games even though they haven't made the playoffs since 1999. How many other cities do that for perennial losers? It's utterly painful thinking they could be taken away.
I really don't know if we could support an MLB team or not. However every time I see a Rays crowd I KNOW we could do better than that. I know a ton of die-hard baseball fans but everyone including me has their own team. Mostly the MFY's, Sux, Mets, Indians, Blue Jays, and believe it or not your occasional Orioles fan. I would never change my allegiance. Others might. I don't know what I would tell my future kids. I'd probably encourage them to follow the home team.
Go Bills.