Question I am always hearing rumors about the Expos moving and I want to know if they are seriously considering relocating? Do they have plans for a new stadium or can we expect a move?
Answer Hi,
The rumors have been off and on for over 10 years now. The new stadium issue and revenue sharing will determine the future of this ballclub. If the ownership has plans to leave town, they are not sharing them with the public. Some believe that they made a mess of things off the field last season -- no TV, no english radio ect... in order to try and leave in time for 2001, only to have Bud Selig force them to make a real go of it. There is speculation that the commissioner has made it clear that there will be no relocation of any team until the new CBA is settled. Of course, if the new CBA includes significant revenue sharing, that would go a long way towards helping the small markets stay where they are. And also, a new ballpark is essential. In that department, the ownership group has put a complete halt to the process -- supposedly while the wait for the new CBA negociations.
I wish I could predict what will happen, but I can't. Only thing I'm willing to bet is that indeed there will be no franchise shifts until the next CBA is negociated, which may include our biggest fear -- contraction, which was one thought of as nothing more than a bad joke.
Hope that helps. And remember, when you see crowds of 4000+ in Montreal, it is the result of 10 years of bad management and lost opportunities, 1994, and bad baseball. For example, since the first week of June 2000, the Montreal Expos have a record 42 games under .500.
