The Expos are "unfortunately" facing the possibility of
a season "with a total blackout of radio and television
broadcasts in both English and French," according to Jack
Todd of the Montreal GAZETTE. The Expos' position is that
they "can't accept a lowball deal that will do nothing to
help guarantee the long-term viability of the club, and the
broadcasters have dug in their heels, insisting that given
the recent history of the team, they should basically be
given the broadcasts for nothing." Expos Majority Owner
Jeffrey Loria: "I thought that we made it clear that we were
going to put all this money and energy into the team, that
we would be met with a more positive response" (GAZETTE,
2/26). Todd adds that former Expos President Claude Brochu
"spoiled all the local broadcast outlets by leaving the
impression that his product is essentially worthless," and
broadcasters continue to want the programming for free.
Todd: "If Loria made a mistake here, it was assuming that
local programmers would be anxious to be in on the action
with what is about to become a very hot property.
Meanwhile, more than 5,500 tickets were sold Thursday, "more
first-day sales than on any other date in the last 10
years." On the Internet, the club sold 20% as many tickets
on Thursday alone as it sold through the Internet all of
last season (Montreal GAZETTE, 2/26).
