Montreal Expos, what's next? UPDATE 3/25 - Stephen Bronfman says “I think we’re close.”

[GordonGecko]

A's stay in Oakland as they should.

Which was not a given as they just lost the Raiders and Warriors in the span of a couple years

 

[Centrum Hockey]

A's new stadium a step closer to reality.

New A’s stadium at Oakland’s Howard Terminal clears Senate, moves closer to reality

They have options now with the raiders and warriors moving out even if the Howard Terminal project doesn't work. They can do what the Yankees and Met's did and use the land around the Colosseum to build a new park and use the current park for Parking or a LA live/Patriot Place type area.

 

[Mightygoose]

Bronfman to present vision for Peel Basin at public consultation office, could include baseball stadium

Looking at a 32K seat 'green' stadium as part of a larger development in the Peel Basin. Maybe some renderings come out of this?

Continuing their diligence with the wheels in a slow but steady motion.

 

[Blitzkrug]

Mayor Kriseman confirms: Rays have ‘formally’ asked to explore the Montreal deal.

Because it worked so well for the Expos.

 

[RaginRonic]

This World Series result has probably now killed off the idea of Montreal ever coming back to MLB. MLB's probably thinking 'Yeah, Montreal....we don't need you anymore. So go p**s off somewhere in a swamp.'.

Leave it to Canada's pro sports markets to get screwed hard right you know where.

> = (

 

[Bjorn Le]

This World Series result has probably now killed off the idea of Montreal ever coming back to MLB. MLB's probably thinking 'Yeah, Montreal....we don't need you anymore. So go p**s off somewhere in a swamp.'.

Leave it to Canada's pro sports markets to get screwed hard right you know where.

> = (

No lol. Washington winning the WS changes absolutely nothing.

People should be treating MLB Montreal like Vegas and Seattle were being treated before they were granted expansion teams. Barring something unforeseen (like a government change that is not just apathetic to building sports infrastructure, but is outright hostile and doesn't even want it if the city isn't financing the stadium), Montreal is getting a team. Whether that is expansion in the mid-2020s or relocation from the Rays, it's happening. Manfred wants it. Business leaders in Montreal want it. Fans want it. It'll happen.

And the Peel basin is a fantastic location if that result comes to pass. I would go to a game pretty much every weekend (from Ottawa).

 

[RaginRonic]

No lol. Washington winning the WS changes absolutely nothing.

People should be treating MLB Montreal like Vegas and Seattle were being treated before they were granted expansion teams. Barring something unforeseen (like a government change that is not just apathetic to building sports infrastructure, but is outright hostile and doesn't even want it if the city isn't financing the stadium), Montreal is getting a team. Whether that is expansion in the mid-2020s or relocation from the Rays, it's happening. Manfred wants it. Business leaders in Montreal want it. Fans want it. It'll happen.

And the Peel basin is a fantastic location if that result comes to pass. I would go to a game pretty much every weekend (from Ottawa).

Then, if by some kind of pie-in-the-sky miracle that the Expos return, then I'd want the entire legacy of the Expos to come back to Montreal with them, which NOW includes the Commissioner's Trophy, and the Nationals can start all over again from zero, even if it means all the championship banners with Washington's Nationals logos on them are destroyed.

> = P

 

[Fenway]

Montreal will be a slam dunk the second time around.

The Expos were destroyed not by Jeffrey Loria but the previous owner Claude Brochu who bought the team from Charles Bronfman in 1991. Bronfman was distracted as his nephew was destroying the family business Seagram's.

MLB wants a second team in Canada to defuse the Jays monopoly and Bell Media (TSN/RDS) needs summer programming.

If you move Tampa there the team would be in the AL East and they would attract visiting fans from New England, New York and Ontario.

 

[Fenway]

Then, if by some kind of pie-in-the-sky miracle that the Expos return, then I'd want the entire legacy of the Expos to come back to Montreal with them, which NOW includes the Commissioner's Trophy, and the Nationals can start all over again from zero, even if it means all the championship banners with Washington's Nationals logos on them are destroyed.

> = P

MLB would give back to Montreal the 1969-2004 years........similar to what the NFL did with the Ravens/Browns

 

[RaginRonic]

Montreal will be a slam dunk the second time around.

The Expos were destroyed not by Jeffrey Loria but the previous owner Claude Brochu who bought the team from Charles Bronfman in 1991. Bronfman was distracted as his nephew was destroying the family business Seagram's.

MLB wants a second team in Canada to defuse the Jays monopoly and Bell Media (TSN/RDS) needs summer programming.

If you move Tampa there the team would be in the AL East and they would attract visiting fans from New England, New York and Ontario.

Sorry, but I would want Montreal back in the NL East to preserve the possibility of an all-Canada World Series, just to mess with the heads of the executives at Fox Sports. Those idiots kiss the a** of the identity of the U.S. too much, and having a potential all-Canada World Series would plant a small seed of dissent against their 'vision'. > = P

 

[Centrum Hockey]

Sorry, but I would want Montreal back in the NL East to preserve the possibility of an all-Canada World Series, just to mess with the heads of the executives at Fox Sports. Those idiots kiss the a** of the identity of the U.S. too much, and having a potential all-Canada World Series would plant a small seed of dissent against their 'vision'. > = P

Assuming no massive realignment happens someone would have to take the rays spot in the AL east for the expos to be back in the NL.

 

[hockey20000]

is there any real chance of the expos coming back?

 

[Fenway]

is there any real chance of the expos coming back?

If Montreal announces a new stadium deal that is rumored to be close Tampa Bay will relocate there.

 

[hockey20000]

If Montreal announces a new stadium deal that is rumored to be close Tampa Bay will relocate there.

hope so... then I can go back to my orginal baseball team in montreal instead of being a braves/reds fan lol.

 

[Mightygoose]

So the Rays have formally asked St. Pete's to about playing part time in Montreal. What happens if the city says no? They'll still be locked into the trop until after the 2027 season. Granted the development rights to the Trop site may be the carrot for the city to bite.

As far as the stadium goes - an OT rumour; The Montreal Alouettes are expected to be sold soon and Claridge has been talked about buying a minority stake in the team. Though Bronfman has denied personal interest in the team, he has said it's possible for the Als to play in the new stadium. Hopefully it won't be a Rogers Centre set up. Either way, it could be a way to break ground on the stadium before actually getting a team...………..according to the rumour...….

 

[Centrum Hockey]

If Montreal announces a new stadium deal that is rumored to be close Tampa Bay will relocate there.

Would Olympic Stadium be acceptable as a temp stadium for the rays/expos or would they play as a lame duck in the trop.

 

[Bjorn Le]

So the Rays have formally asked St. Pete's to about playing part time in Montreal. What happens if the city says no? They'll still be locked into the trop until after the 2027 season. Granted the development rights to the Trop site may be the carrot for the city to bite.

As far as the stadium goes - an OT rumour; The Montreal Alouettes are expected to be sold soon and Claridge has been talked about buying a minority stake in the team. Though Bronfman has denied personal interest in the team, he has said it's possible for the Als to play in the new stadium. Hopefully it won't be a Rogers Centre set up. Either way, it could be a way to break ground on the stadium before actually getting a team...………..according to the rumour...….

Then they will buy out the lease in time for the move to Montreal. Honestly I would be shocked if Sternberg actually wants St. Pete to say yes anyways.

 

[Normand Lacombe]

Would Olympic Stadium be acceptable as a temp stadium for the rays/expos or would they play as a lame duck in the trop.

Below is a quote from Manfred concerning Olympic Stadium in November of 2017. This could have been a negotiating ploy and Manfred and MLB would maybe let the relocated/expansion franchise play a season at Olympic if the new ballpark was being built.

Filato added that the money being spent to fix up Olympic Stadium for the World Cup doesn’t mean there’s no possibility of a new downtown baseball stadium if the Expos were to return. The cost of building a new downtown ball park has been estimated at around $500 million and Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred has made it clear that if Montreal is going to get a team again there needs to be a plan in place for a new stadium, stating last November: “We’re not going to play in Olympic Stadium.”

Montreal Official: Olympic Stadium Roof Won’t Affect MLB Pursuit

 

[GordonGecko]

Below is a quote from Manfred concerning Olympic Stadium in November of 2017. This could have been a negotiating ploy and Manfred and MLB would maybe let the relocated/expansion franchise play a season at Olympic if the new ballpark was being built.


Montreal Official: Olympic Stadium Roof Won’t Affect MLB Pursuit

Jesus, 300 Million for a new fabric roof. Olympic Stadium has got to be the world's all time giant black hole money pit in human history.

"The roof of the Olympic Stadium has ripped 7,453 times in the last 10 years."

"We can't use it if we don't repair the roof. That is unavoidable,"

 

[Voight]

A's new stadium a step closer to reality.

New A’s stadium at Oakland’s Howard Terminal clears Senate, moves closer to reality

This doesn't surprise me. They lost two teams (one of which moved out of the state) within a matter of a couple years. Losing a 3rd would kill them.

This World Series result has probably now killed off the idea of Montreal ever coming back to MLB. MLB's probably thinking 'Yeah, Montreal....we don't need you anymore. So go p**s off somewhere in a swamp.'.

Leave it to Canada's pro sports markets to get screwed hard right you know where.

> = (

Montreal Screwjob does not only apply to the WWE

Would Olympic Stadium be acceptable as a temp stadium for the rays/expos or would they play as a lame duck in the trop.

Below is a quote from Manfred concerning Olympic Stadium in November of 2017. This could have been a negotiating ploy and Manfred and MLB would maybe let the relocated/expansion franchise play a season at Olympic if the new ballpark was being built.


Montreal Official: Olympic Stadium Roof Won’t Affect MLB Pursuit

They will just have to do what the Raiders did and play in front of a crowd that doesn't want them for a couple years.

Braves built their park in just under 3 years so if MTL is lucky it won't be that long of a wait.

Jesus, 300 Million for a new fabric roof. Olympic Stadium has got to be the world's all time giant black hole money pit in human history.

"The roof of the Olympic Stadium has ripped 7,453 times in the last 10 years."

"We can't use it if we don't repair the roof. That is unavoidable,"

Whats hilarious is that is was supposed to be the first retractable roof stadium in North America, the crown jewel of the 76 Olympics. then 13 years later Toronto beats them to the punch and has the SkyDome, $200 million cheaper.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

Below is a quote from Manfred concerning Olympic Stadium in November of 2017. This could have been a negotiating ploy and Manfred and MLB would maybe let the relocated/expansion franchise play a season at Olympic if the new ballpark was being built.


Montreal Official: Olympic Stadium Roof Won’t Affect MLB Pursuit

That only sounds like he is saying Olympic Stadium cannot be the long term home of a MLB team, and he is correct.

Says nothing about it being a temporary dig while a new one is being built.