The new guard of Montreal business "pines for the return" of MLB to the city that still "mourns its lost Expos," according to Konrad Yakabuski of the GLOBE & MAIL. Local businessman Stephen Bronfman last week "confirmed reports that he has assembled an investor group" to put up the estimated C$1B or more that would be "needed to bring an existing MLB team or expansion franchise to the city whose once beloved Expos fled for greener fields" in '04. According to various reports, the investor group includes Caesars Acquisition CEO Mitch Garber, Stingray Digital Founder & CEO Eric Boyko and GardaWorld CEO Stéphan Crétier. They are "reportedly joined" by Dollarama Exec Chair Larry Rossy. None of these entrepreneurs were "established enough to keep the Expos from leaving town" in '04. This year’s two Blue Jays-Pirates preseason exhibition games at Montreal's Olympic Stadium "drew 95,000 fans amid a mood of optimism on the news that the investor lineup is in place for MLB’s permanent return." RBC Capital Markets Vice Chair Michael Fortier said, "It’s not a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’. There’s been a lot of wealth creation in Montreal in the past decade. And these new wealthy Montrealers love baseball." Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre is said to have persuaded MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred of the "seriousness of the city’s bid." Manfred is using Montreal’s interest to pressure Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg to build a new ballpark or "move the team." Manfred also "aims to add two new franchises to the league." Montreal would also have to "agree to build" a new ballpark, and neither Coderre nor the provincial government have officially "committed to putting public money to such a venture" (GLOBE & MAIL, 4/7).
